Karnataka's Local Economy Accelerator Programme (LEAP) - a five-year initiative with an outlay of Rs 1,000 crore - is aimed at transforming the state’s startup landscape beyond Bengaluru, state's minister for Information Technology and Biotechnology (IT-BT) Priyank Kharge said on September 22.
Kharge added that LEAP could unlock untapped potential of emerging clusters in Mysuru-Chamarajanagar, Mangaluru-Udupi, Hubballi-Belagavi-Dharwad, Tumakuru, Kalaburagi, and Shivamogga, converting them into self-sustaining, globally competitive innovation hubs.
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Kharge added that while Bengaluru has long established itself as a global technology powerhouse, the state’s next phase of growth will depend on dispersing innovation opportunities to tier-II and III cities.
LEAP is designed not just as an investment in startups, but as an investment in building a balanced and equitable economic future for Karnataka, Kharge said. “The government expects the programme to catalyse the creation of five lakh jobs and position the state as a diversified technology leader with multiple centers of excellence.”
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The Department of Electronics, IT, and BT have already invited proposals to establish Innovation Labs under LEAP, setting the stage for implementation. According to officials, the programme will soon roll out initiatives such as hackathons, bootcamps, and sector-specific Centres of Excellence “These measures are intended to provide end-to-end support to entrepreneurs at different stages of the startup lifecycle-from sparking entrepreneurial curiosity in schools to helping deep-tech companies access global markets” said Ekroop Caur, IT-BT secretary.
“LEAP will addressing critical gaps in infrastructure, mentorship, and funding in regions outside the capital. The programme is structured around a set of sub-initiatives that together form a comprehensive framework. These include entrepreneurship modules in schools and colleges, targeted grant-in-aid for deep-tech startups, the creation of a Fund of Funds to build a venture capital ecosystem in emerging clusters, and the establishment of incubators, accelerators, and prototype labs” Caur added.
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In addition, plug-and-play growth labs and regional innovation events will strengthen local ecosystems, while digital clinics and research funds will help startups with compliance and market readiness. The programme’s success, officials believe, will be measured not just in the number of startups it supports, but in its ability to empower entrepreneurs in smaller cities to compete on the global stage.
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