The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Karnataka’s Department of Information Technology & Biotechnology (ITBT) launched the Karnataka CleanTech Startup Accelerator during the 20th edition of CII’s flagship India Innovation Summit, INNOVERGE 2024, held in Bengaluru. The initiative aims to propel clean technology startups by providing mentorship, funding, and essential resources in key sectors such as renewable energy, waste management, water conservation, and sustainable agriculture.
The summit was inaugurated by Priyank Kharge, Karnataka’s Minister for Electronics, Information Technology & Biotechnology, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj. In his address, Mr. Kharge emphasised Karnataka’s ambition to become a $1 trillion economy by fostering inclusivity and innovation.
He highlighted the establishment of Centers of Excellence in Mangalore, Hubballi, and Belagavi, designed to encourage collaboration and nurture groundbreaking ideas. He also underscored the state’s commitment to supporting women-led startups, which have collectively raised $10.8 billion through initiatives like Beyond Bangalore and Elevate. “As we advance, I urge the industry to join us in enhancing skilling, research, and technology development,” said Kharge.
Kris Gopalakrishnan, Past President of CII, and Mentor at CII India INNOVERGE 2024, presented three key requests to the industry and government. He urged companies to increase their R&D spending, measure the contribution of recently developed products to current business performance, and boost revenue from products created through collaborations with innovation leaders. He also called for dedicated spaces within academic Centers of Excellence for industry R&D to foster innovation and incubation.
Karnataka Accelerates Startups
Karnataka’s focus on clean technology and innovation is further bolstered by strategic partnerships with industry leaders and the government. The launch of the Karnataka CleanTech Startup Accelerator is a significant step toward achieving the state’s sustainability goals while promoting economic growth. The three-day summit features discussions on various sectors, including Manufacturing and Industry 4.0, Mobility, Healthcare, Energy Transition, and more. The event also included a conference, tech showcase, and networking opportunities for industry leaders, startups, and academia.
“The challenge of bridging the digital divide, with the rise of smartphones and native language solutions, transforms into an opportunity to extend technology’s benefits nationwide. Moreover, our collaborative ecosystem, integrating academia, startups, and industry, is the driving force behind our innovation. Together, these elements affirm India’s emerging role as a global technology leader,” said Vishal Dhupar, Managing Director, NVIDIA- South Asia
CII’s ongoing efforts to foster innovation and technology adoption, coupled with its extensive network of industry and government partnerships, continue to shape the future of Indian industry. Through initiatives like the Karnataka CleanTech Startup Accelerator, CII aims to enhance India’s global competitiveness and drive sustainable, inclusive growth.
