The 27th edition of Asia’s largest tech event, Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) 2024, will command the global stage from November 19-21, 2024, at Bangalore Palace. Powered by the Department of Electronics, IT, and Biotechnology, Govt. of Karnataka in partnership with Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS), and co-hosted by STPI, this summit is backed by industry heavyweights like NASSCOM, IESA, TiE, ABAI, ABLE, USIBC, and AMCHAM.
BTS 2024 takes the baton from its past theme, ‘Breaking Boundaries,’ and accelerates it to ‘Unbound’. Moreover, this is a call to arms for a world where national, industrial, and cultural barriers no longer exist. Moreover, this is a moment for boundary-less innovation, uninhibited collaboration, and limitless growth across the global tech and LifeTech ecosystems.
BTS doesn’t just attract participants—it magnetizes the world’s sharpest minds, innovators, and disruptors. This year, it will bring over 50,000 tech enthusiasts from across India and delegates representing more than 40 nations, all converging to shape the future.
With 85+ conference sessions featuring over 450 expert speakers and expansive multi-pavilion exhibition halls, BTS 2024 offers a rare, vital opportunity for stakeholders to build powerful, cross-sector partnerships that transcend borders, industries, and communities. The message is simple: the future is ‘Unbound.’
In an exclusive interview with The Interview World at the BTS Stakeholders Meeting, Priyank Kharge, Karnataka’s Minister for IT, Biotechnology, and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, laid out a bold vision for positioning Karnataka as a trillion-dollar tech-driven economy. He shared how BTS has grown into a global force in the technology world and spoke candidly about the shifting of major semiconductor manufacturing projects to Gujarat, despite Karnataka’s formidable expertise in the field. His insights also underscore Karnataka’s strategic importance and its relentless push to remain a leader on the global map.
Q: As Karnataka is a key technology hub in India, what is your strategic vision to transform it into a trillion-dollar, tech-driven economy?
A: We’ve already set the wheels in motion with our policy under the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), where driving digital economies is front and center for us. That policy isn’t just a vision—it’s already in action.
Q: What initiatives and policies has the Government of Karnataka implemented to support and promote the growth of startups in the state?
A: Show me another state government in the country that has funded nearly 980 startups, with 32% emerging from Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities. Among these startups, an impressive 24% are led by women entrepreneurs. Karnataka is not just building a resilient and sustainable state; it’s setting a powerful example for the nation.
We lead the way in research and development, boasting over 400 R&D centers and more than 100 chip design houses, with 70% of the country’s chip designers calling Karnataka home. Furthermore, we are the skill capital of India, housing a third of the nation’s tech talent. In essence, Karnataka is a trailblazer in creating the optimal ecosystem for nurturing startups.
Q: As BTS enters its 27th edition, what initiatives are you planning to implement to elevate it to a truly global event, on par with renowned international tech conferences like CES?
A: The Bengaluru Tech Summit is already a global powerhouse and Asia’s largest tech event. The 27th edition is set to be one of the largest tech summits worldwide, featuring participation from 33 countries. This is not local; it’s unequivocally international.
Q: Can you provide details on how many multinational companies are planning to launch their products at the BTS 2024?
A: We’ll discover the details in early November. Just to give you perspective, last time we had over 60 launches—an impressive feat that set the bar high!
Q: Despite Karnataka’s thriving innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem, two major PLI-driven semiconductor projects, valued at over $10 billion, have shifted to Gujarat. What are your thoughts on why this happened, and how do you plan to position Karnataka to attract and retain such large-scale investments in the future?
A: It’s not just two; four major semiconductor projects moved to Gujarat. You should ask the Prime Minister why this is happening, especially when Karnataka boasts an exceptional ecosystem. It’s downright unfair. This is not a level playing field. We’ve also raised this concern with the central government. Thus, I firmly believe that if given a fair shot, Karnataka will emerge as the biggest beneficiary.
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