Karnataka plans to create technology clusters in tier II cities

The Karnataka government on Monday opened the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) office at Deshpande Startups in Hubballi, as a part of its Beyond Bengaluru programme to create technology clusters in tier II cities.

The office will act as a place to bring in all stakeholders including industrialists, entrepreneurs, academicians, startups and thought leaders on board and act as a knowledge bridge between the government and the industry.

The state government’s Beyond Bengaluru initiative plans to make use of Covid-19 situation which has forced the talent to work remotely from their hometowns. The government hopes to build on this opportunity and create ecosystems in emerging IT destinations and tap on the trained human resource by providing them employment opportunities locally.


“The state government is committed to balancing economic growth and employment opportunities across the state. Beyond Bengaluru will transform the digital economy in clusters like Hubballi, Mysuru and Mangaluru,” deputy chief minister Ashwath Narayan CN said on Monday after inaugurating KDEM office in Hubballi.

KDEM is a public private partnership venture of the industry and the state government and the Beyond Bengaluru programme is designed to function as a knowledge hub.

“The government has set a target to create 10,000 startups and 10,00,000 IT professionals by 2030, under the Beyond Bengaluru programme,” KDEM chairman BV Naidu said.