The 27th Edition of Bengaluru Tech Summit 2024, organised by the Department of Electronics, IT, Bt, Government of Karnataka and Software Technology Parks of India, Bengaluru, was inaugurated by Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister of Karnataka and in the august presence of other dignitaries, at Bangalore Palace on 19th November.

The event witnessed the launch of India's first policy for Global Capability Centre (GCC).

Another key announcement was the launch of the Nipuna Karnataka Logo marking the beginning of a transformative skills initiative. Nipuna Karnataka aims at enhancing the skills of local talent to improve their global competitiveness in emerging technologies. The objective is to equip Karnataka’s workforce with advanced skills that align with the requirements of high-demand sectors, thus fostering economic growth and increasing employment opportunities both within and outside the state. It will aim to that the local talent is skilled locally and they work globally.

Adding to the momentum, the government announced the establishment of a Centre of Excellence on AI in Bengaluru to foster cutting-edge research and development.

Minister said, "Bengaluru Tech Summit 2024 showcases Karnataka’s leadership in innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth. The launch of India’s first Policy for GCCs and the Nipuna Karnataka programme, aimed at skilling 100,000 individuals in cutting-edge technologies, reflects our commitment to empowering local talent and fostering global competitiveness. The Centre of Excellence in AI, in collaboration with IIT Alumni Center Bangalore, positions Karnataka as a hub for advanced R&D and startup innovation."

As part of the Nipuna initiative, five strategic MoUs were exchanged with global tech giants —Microsoft, Intel, Accenture, IBM, and the BFSI Consortium— aiming to bolster collaboration and drive innovation. These MoUs aim to train 1,00,000 trainees in the next year with a placement of 70% of the trained professionals.

Another significant announcement was for Startup Springboard programme- a platform at BTS 2024, designed to empower Karnataka’s startups through three pillars; Investor Connect (linking startups with key investors and industry leaders); Mentor Connect (enabling invaluable guidance through mentor-mentee interactions) and Innoverse (providing infrastructure, plug-and-play facilities, and training to support prototype development and innovation for emerging entrepreneurs).

BTS 2024, being held from 19 to 21 November, will feature a multi-stage conference across six tracks: IT, Deeptech & Trends, Biotech & Healthtech, Startup Ecosystem, Global Innovation Alliance, India-USA Tech Conclave, and the newly introduced Electro-Semicon track.