More than 25 countries have confirmed participation in the flagship technology conference of Government of Karnataka  – Bengaluru Tech Summit 2020 which will be held virtually for the first time from 19^th to 21^st November, 2020.

Government of Karnataka has embarked on developing “Global Innovation Alliances (GIA)” with innovation hubs of the world, through which there are ongoing engagements with over 20 countries on a regular basis. The engagements range from G2G meetings and MoUs, to active projects for skilling, R&D and startup cooperation. Partner countries like Australia, France, Germany, Israel, Netherlands , Switzerland and UK, among others, will play a key role in showcasing advancements made in technology and how future ready their innovations are through the GIA sessions platform.

This year, Government of Karnataka is expected to sign over 7 MoUs with GIA partner institutions for cooperation in startups, research & development and skilling, out of which 7 will be signed at Bengaluru Tech Summit.

Department of Electronics IT Bt and S&T and the Department of Commerce and Industry have jointly decided to sign an MoU with Indiana Economic Development to work on projects in Electric Vehicles and Medical Devices/Healthcare. The MoU will be signed for a period of 5 years.

In addition, the MoU between Center for Excellence of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI), Karnataka and Business Finland will focus on bi-lateral market access for startups, joint research program for societal good and mutual student and faculty exchange program. The Center of Excellence for Agri Innovation housed at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) has agreed to sign an MoU with the World Startup Factory in the Netherlands, where the main area of focus will be a virtual market access program for the growth stage startups to explore global markets. The MoU will also chart deliverables regarding mentorship connects and mutual industry facilitation. 

Speaking at an event on Bengaluru Tech Summit 2020 and Global Innovation Alliance (GIA), Dr CN Ashwath Narayan, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, and Minister for IT, Bt and S&T said, “We are now working at global level, through exchange of people and ideas, so that Karnataka may consistently maintain its lead position in innovation, science and technology. Hence, Department of Electronics, IT, BT and S&T has embarked on developing “Global Innovation Alliances (GIAs)” with innovation hubs of the world. I am certain that the participation of our GIA Partner Countries at BTS 2020 will enhance the event in a big way and create meaningful and long term international partnerships in the coming days.”