The Karnataka government has approved the establishment of global technology centres (GTCs) in Belagavi and Hubballi as part of efforts to expand the state’s technology ecosystem beyond Bengaluru.
The GTC in Belagavi will be established at Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), with around 10,000 square feet of plug-and-play facilities. The centre will involve an investment of Rs 8.28 million over three years, with the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) serving as the implementing agency.
A second GTC will be established across around 10,000 square feet at the Hubballi IT Park on rent-free premises. The centre will entail an investment of Rs 58 million over three years, including Rs 49 million in capital expenditure and Rs 9 million in operational expenditure.
The centres are being established under the Local Economy Accelerator Programme (LEAP), which aims to provide technology talent, startups and entrepreneurs with infrastructure and opportunities closer to their local regions. KDEM will implement the centres, while Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) will undertake the infrastructure development works.
The expenditure for the two centres will be met through LEAP’s allocation for the creation of incubators and accelerators. The programme has a total allocation of Rs 10 billion over five years, with Rs 2 billion approved for the first year, including Rs 1.1 billion for incubators and accelerators.
Further, the centres are expected to strengthen links between educational institutions, startups, technology companies and industry, while supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in the regions. The initiative is also aimed at decentralising Karnataka’s technology economy and enabling local talent and technology-driven enterprises to access the wider ecosystem beyond Bengaluru.