Karnataka signs up with Ideabaaz Tech to boost startup growth

Karnataka’s IT/BT department, through the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with startup discovery platform Ideabaaz Tech to provide startups with mentorship, investor access and market linkages.

“This MoU marks a significant step in strengthening Karnataka’s position as a global innovation hub,” IT/BT minister Priyank Kharge said in a statement. “By fostering partnerships between government and emerging platforms, we are enabling startups with the support systems, mentorship and market access needed to scale and succeed.”

The partnership will establish a structured framework to support startups from early-stage validation to market entry and scale, with access to networks, infrastructure and funding opportunities, said the statement.


The collaboration will focus on running structured startup programmes, enabling industry-academia partnerships and supporting innovation across sectors such as artificial intelligence, deeptech, climate techba and healthtech.

A key focus area will be expanding entrepreneurial activity beyond Bengaluru into tier-2 and tier-3 regions through bootcamps, outreach programmes and curated investor and industry engagements, the minister said.

Startups from government-backed initiatives such as Elevate Bengaluru, Beyond Bengaluru and Innoverse will gain access to IdeaBaaz’s platform for visibility, mentorship and connections with investors and corporate partners.

The partnership will also support skill development through workshops, training sessions and knowledge-sharing initiatives aimed at building industry-ready talent.

“This collaboration is focused on execution at scale, helping startups translate ideas into tangible business outcomes,” said Mudit Kumar, cofounder of Ideabaaz Tech. “It is about building a structured framework where startups grow on real market traction.”

The collaboration is expected to drive startup growth, improve access to capital, increase investor participation and generate employment while strengthening Karnataka’s position as a key hub for emerging technologies, said the statement.