BTS 2025 aims for 20,000 startup founder turnout

United News of India

7 days ago

Bengaluru, July 21 (UNI) The Karnataka government aims to bring together 20,000 startup founders at the Bangalore Tech Summit (BTS) 2025, in what is being positioned as the largest and most inclusive platform for innovators in the country's tech ecosystem.
The announcement was made by Ekroop Caur, Principal Secretary of the Department of Electronics, IT, Bt, and S&T, during the curtain-raiser event held today.
Caur said this year's BTS will offer an early-stage launchpad for startups through multiple rounds of pitching, mentorship from leading industry figures, and exclusive access to venture capitalists.
'This will be a focused, outcome-oriented engagement that supports innovation, investment, and cross-border collaboration,' she said.
The event, now in its 28th edition, will take place from November 18 to 20 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), moving for the first time from its traditional venue at Bangalore Palace.
The shift, according to Caur, reflects the government's intention to scale the event in size and ambition. 'Our dream is to move from leapfrogging to pole-vaulting,' she said, describing this year's theme, "Future-Eyes", as a call to shift from incremental to transformative innovation.
This edition will feature a significantly expanded format, with 10 thematic tracks, up from six last year. New additions include verticals on Artificial Intelligence (AI Universe), Defense and Space Tech, Finverse (for FinTech), and My Planet, My Future, a track focused on sustainability.
Each vertical will host its own sessions, business meetings, and exhibitions, providing deep-dive sectoral engagement.
One of the key highlights will be the Future Makers Conclave, a three-hour exclusive event for startup founders, featuring ten influential speakers sharing life-changing ideas in 10-minute talks, a keynote address, and an experiential learning session. Entry will be restricted to founders and co-founders only.
The summit will continue to highlight Karnataka's expanding global connections through the Global Innovation Alliance (GIA), which now includes partnerships with over 30 countries.
Caur emphasized that these ties go beyond ceremonial MoUs. 'We have facilitated over 2,000 startups, 60 MoUs, and 500 international sessions through GIA. This is not symbolic; it is structural and strategic,' she stated.
A major focus this year will be sustainability. The event will be entirely plastic-free, with all materials, including lanyards and ID cards, made from biodegradable materials. Waste generated on site will be processed in-house, and the event will run on green energy.
The move to BIEC was also driven by the need to reduce reliance on diesel generators, which were unavoidable at Bangalore Palace.
BTS 2025 will also present a holistic cultural experience, with curated Bangalore Walks allowing participants to explore the city's heritage and creativity. Visitors will be taken to cultural landmarks such as the Science Gallery, National Gallery of Modern Art, Museum of Art & Photography, and the Venkatachalapathy Art Gallery.
Caur said the summit would also serve as a gateway to emerging tech clusters beyond Bangalore. Cities like Mysuru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Belagavi, and Mangaluru are being actively developed as innovation hubs.
The government has launched a ₹1,000 crore Local Economy Accelerator Program (LEAP) to support infrastructure, incubation, and entrepreneurship in these clusters. 'We invite foreign delegates and investors to explore these regions,' she added.
On the skilling front, Caur highlighted the 'Nipun' program, an industry-led initiative to drive large-scale skilling, upskilling, and reskilling in emerging technologies.
The government has also initiated the setting up of a deep-tech incubator in Indiranagar and a state innovation museum in Bangalore.
International collaboration will be further deepened through more delegations, exchange programs, and mixer events under the GIA platform, she said. Upcoming market access programs will see outbound delegations to countries like France, South Korea, and Finland.
Caur called on global partners, international trade bodies, and technology associations to engage meaningfully with BTS 2025. 'This summit is not just Karnataka's showcase. It is India's window to the world of innovation,' she said.
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