Karnataka will soon have three more Centres of Excellence (CoEs) with the establishment of one each in automotive technology, space technology and gaming, taking the total for this year to five.
These CoEs aim to address critical challenges faced by the industries, foster research and create sustainable ecosystems for startups and MSMEs in these emerging sectors.
Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS), under the Department of Electronics, IT, BT, and Science & Technology, has recently invited requests for proposals (RFPs) to select implementing partners for the three CoEs.
Karnataka IT-BT Secretary Ekroop Caur told Moneycontrol: "We had planned five CoEs this year, of which two have been established: fintech and AI. We have floated tenders for the remaining three." She added that they have set up around 15 CoEs across diverse sectors, including cybersecurity, IoT, machine intelligence, robotics and Semiconductors.
With the state government committing Rs 10 crore for each CoE over the next five years, these initiatives are designed to propel Karnataka's technological advancement and support entrepreneurship in key areas of automotive, space and gaming industries.
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CoE in automotive technology
The auto tech CoE will serve as a hub for advanced product development, testing and innovation, particularly in the fields of electric vehicles (EVs) and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
“With Karnataka home to global automotive players such as Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, Bosch and Ola Electric, this CoE aims to build upon the state's existing strengths in automotive technology and address industry gaps,” said a senior official of the IT-BT department, who did not want to be identified.
The selected implementing partner will establish the CoE in Bengaluru, providing a minimum of 6,000 square feet of built-up space within six months from the date of the work order. Proposed locations for the CoE include key technology hubs such as Whitefield, Electronics City and areas near Hosur, just across the border in Tamil Nadu, that offer easy access to the region’s automotive ecosystem.
“The CoE will focus on advanced R&D, product testing and prototyping. This will also address gaps such as dependency on global multinationals, limited local vehicle manufacturing and inadequate R&D infrastructure. It will also promote market access, skilling programmes and funding opportunities for startups, ensuring the availability of quality talent in the EV and ADAS sectors,” the official said.
CoE for gaming
The Karnataka government, which launched the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) Policy for 2024-2029, is planning to set up a CoE for gaming and e-sports.
"The gaming industry is experiencing exponential growth, with the global market expected to expand from $217 billion in 2022 to $583 billion by 2030. Karnataka, which accounts for 25 percent of India’s AVGC industry, is leveraging its strengths to attract investments, create jobs and drive innovation," said the IT-BT department official.
The CoE will have a dedicated e-sports arena to host tournaments and nurture local talent. It will also serve as an incubation and innovation hub for startups, providing essential resources, mentorship and networking opportunities. The CoE will also house a state-of-the-art game testing lab equipped with licensed tools to ensure the highest standards in game quality and performance.
Also read: Karnataka set to become global hub for AVGC sector, says Priyank Kharge
“In its initial phase, the CoE will operate from a 2,400-square-foot space, with plans to expand to 8,000 square feet over the next five years. The facility will be equipped to support startups and R&D activities, aiming to increase Karnataka’s competitiveness in the gaming and AVGC-XR sectors," said the official.
By integrating startups, accelerators and R&D efforts, the aim is to make the CoE a global leader in gaming innovation. It will also facilitate the consolidation of R&D efforts by bringing together global gaming companies.
Also read: Karnataka animation & gaming policy 3.0: Govt unveils operational guidelines for companies
CoE in space technology
With the launch of the draft Karnataka Space Tech Policy, the state is set to establish a CoE for the sector.
“This CoE will support Karnataka's growing space-tech ecosystem, which is bolstered by several prominent public and private space organisations based in the city,” the official said.
“Under the Indian Space Policy 2023, which opened up the space sector to privatisation, Karnataka aims to position itself as a leader in space innovation. The CoE will foster collaboration between academia and industry, addressing the sector’s challenges, supporting research and encouraging the growth of space startups. It will also provide incubation spaces, training programmes and resources to enhance the state’s space-tech ecosystem,” the official explained.
Also read: Karnataka aims to attract $3 bn in space tech investments, support 500 startups
The CoE will prioritise training and capacity building, aiming to create a skilled workforce for the space sector. In the first two years, the CoE plans to train 20 students annually, increasing this number to 50 by the fifth year. It will also offer dedicated incubation facilities for startups, focusing on developing world-class R&D capabilities in space technology.
"In the next five years, the CoE will drive innovation by facilitating the co-creation of at least one product or solution annually, starting from the second year. It will also support the publication of academic papers and promote the participation of Karnataka-based space startups in global conferences and market access programmes," the IT-BT official added.
Also read: Centre's incentive plan for space manufacturing to take into account states' policies
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