Karnataka plans automobile tech incubator for startups: IT minister Priyank Kharge

IT-BT minister Priyank Kharge

Karnataka IT-BT minister Priyank Kharge on June 27 said the state plans to have an automobile tech incubator for startups.

"I met a delegation from Toyota on Monday, and we discussed the possibility of a public-private partnership to set up an automobile tech incubator for startups. I will also be discussing this with the transport minister, although we are still in a nascent stage," Kharge told Moneycontrol.

He highlighted the growth prospects in the automotive software market. "The automotive software market is projected to reach $80 billion by 2030, and the Indian market is expected to reach $2.17 billion by 2028."

The delegation was led by National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom), and comprised comprising HR and IT leaders from various technology companies.

Kharge stressed on the need to develop a comprehensive framework to enhance the employability of youth, particularly in emerging technologies. "Our vision is to possess the most employable talent, positioning Karnataka as the most future-ready state in India," he said.

The minister also indicated that a startup programme focused on supporting women entrepreneurs would be held soon. He also sought suggestions from netizens for its name and urged the public to share their expectations with the government.

The tech-savvy minister recently conducted a Twitter poll to gather insights on the expectations of startups in Karnataka. The majority of respondents prioritised funding (36.1 percent), followed by access to government markets (22.2 percent), incubation/acceleration (21.8 percent), and mentor/investor connections (19.9 percent). Assuring the respondents, Kharge vowed to implement the positive feedback received.

In preparation for the upcoming budget session, Kharge conducted a review meeting with the IT-BT department. He emphasised the department's renewed commitment to foster skilling and entrepreneurship ecosystems for emerging technologies.

"This year, the IT-BT department aims to establish Centers of Excellence in emerging and deep technologies. During my previous tenure, we successfully launched Centers of Excellence for Aerospace, Animation, AI & ML, and IoT. However, there is a need to revamp the existing centres and establish new ones to foster even better innovations and inventions," he said.

Kharge highlighted that Bengaluru has climbed the ranks in The Global Startup Ecosystems Report 2023, solidifying its position as a preferred destination for entrepreneurs, investors and innovators. Bengaluru achieved global ranking of 20, agritech ranking of 13, and fintech ranking of 21.

He emphasised on the untapped potential for further improvement and reassured the public that the government would strive to deliver better results. "The GSER report recognises Bengaluru as an excellent ecosystem for entrepreneurs, with top rankings in knowledge, funding, and value for investment," he said.

Kharge participated in a roundtable discussion on the circular economy with the Karnataka government's Global Innovation Partners. "Early adoption of the circular economy by India has the potential to generate an annual value of $218 billion by 2030. The Karnataka government recognises the significance of the circular economy and has incorporated it into key state policies, such as the startup policy, state urban solid waste management policy, Karnataka registered vehicle scrapping policy, and e-waste (management) rule. These policies aim to promote the early adoption and invigoration of the circular economy ecosystem," he said.

He held a meeting with the department of skill development to discuss the convergence and improvement of skilling schemes offered by the IT-BT department. He stressed on the importance of focusing on emerging technologies that align with industry requirements.