Karnataka Bets Big on DeepTech: ₹600 Crore Fund to Fuel Innovation

In a bold move to cement its status as India’s innovation powerhouse, the Karnataka government has unveiled the ‘DeepTech Decade’ initiative, backed by a ₹600 crore investment. Announced by IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge ahead of the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025, this initiative aims to build a robust pipeline of startups working on frontier technologies.

Key Highlights:

Strategic Allocation:  

•   ₹150 crore earmarked for the DeepTech Elevate Fund, focusing on AI and emerging tech  
•   ₹80 crore under Elevate Beyond Bengaluru to support startups in tier-2 cities like Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad, and Kalaburagi  
•   ₹75 crore via Karnataka IT Venture Fund (KITVIN) for equity-based investments in DeepTech ventures

Future Makers Conclave:  
  Set to be the largest entrepreneurship platform in India, the conclave on November 20 will bring together over 10,000 founders, investors, and innovators

Visionary Expansion:  
  The government is exploring a ₹200 crore fund-of-funds and co-investment model with venture capital firms, potentially scaling the initiative to ₹1,000 crore

Focus Areas:  
  Startups in AI, ML, quantum computing, advanced manufacturing, robotics, and sustainability will be prioritized

Sources: The Hindu, Moneycontrol, The Economic Times, New Indian Express