Karnataka hosts CEO Breakfast Meet, Industry backs stronger collaboration to drive State's next tech growth phase

The Karnataka Government recently brought together more than 200 technology industry leaders, entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers for its annual CEO Breakfast Meet, using the platform to engage directly with industry stakeholders on strengthening the State's innovation ecosystem and shaping the next phase of technology-led growth.

The high-level interaction, was held in the presence of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Priyank Kharge, Minister for Home, Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology and e-Governance. The meeting reinforced the Government's collaborative approach to policymaking by seeking industry inputs on key priorities across emerging technology sectors.

During the meeting, Dr Manjula N., Secretary, Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, presented the Karnataka IT & DeepTech Landscape Progress Report 2025–26, highlighting the State's progress in technology, innovation and startup development. She outlined Karnataka's recent achievements, policy interventions and the roadmap for sustaining its leadership in the country's technology ecosystem.

Industry leaders welcomed the Government's continued engagement with the private sector and acknowledged Karnataka's efforts to build a supportive innovation ecosystem. Discussions focused on maintaining the State's competitiveness in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, deeptech, biotechnology, electronics and semiconductors, defence and space technologies, fintech, and AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics).

The programme featured strategic perspectives from S. Gopalakrishnan (Kris), Chairperson of the Vision Group on IT, who shared his vision for strengthening Karnataka's leadership in IT and deep technologies. Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairperson of the Vision Group on Biotechnology, highlighted the State's growing opportunities in biotechnology, life sciences and innovation-driven healthcare, emphasising the importance of research, entrepreneurship and industry-academia collaboration.

Representatives from leading industry bodies including NASSCOM, IESA, TiE Bangalore, ABLE, IVCA and ABAI participated in an open-house discussion, bringing together CEOs, founders and innovators from IT & DeepTech, Biotech & HealthTech, Electronics & Semiconductors, Defence & Space Tech, FinTech and AVGC. Participants shared recommendations on policy reforms, talent development, infrastructure, research collaboration, startup funding and global market access to accelerate Karnataka's technology-led growth.

A key outcome of the meeting was the industry's endorsement of the Government's consultative approach to policymaking. Business leaders appreciated the State's willingness to engage regularly with industry and offered recommendations to strengthen innovation, attract investments, support startups, expand research capabilities and enhance Karnataka's global competitiveness.

The CEO Breakfast Meet reaffirmed Karnataka's commitment to maintaining close collaboration with industry, ensuring that future policies are aligned with evolving technology trends, business needs and the State's long-term ambition of remaining India's leading hub for innovation and advanced technologies.