Karnataka announced six new letters of intent (LoIs) and a series of skilling partnerships at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 on November 19. The projects include units in electronics manufacturing, EV systems, battery recycling, biotechnology, and a dedicated drone testing site. The government stated that these initiatives are expected to generate jobs across key sectors and support efforts to expand economic growth beyond Bengaluru.
IT Minister Priyank Kharge explained that the agreements are part of the state’s broader plan to strengthen innovation clusters and deepen the Local Economy Accelerator Programme (LEAP). LEAP, a five-year ₹1,000 crore initiative, aims to develop clusters outside Bengaluru through infrastructure, funding, and sector-specific support. Two key programmes under LEAP, Elevate Next and Elevate Beyond Bengaluru, are set to begin in January and February 2026, respectively. Under these programmes, 40 startups will receive grants ranging from ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore, while 50 startups will receive grants of up to ₹50 lakh, aiming to decentralize opportunities and reinforce Karnataka’s innovation network.
Among the announced LoIs, a 20-acre drone testing facility will be established in Chintamani by the Drone Federation of India, with government-provided land and an investment outlay of ₹25–100 crore. Global HDI plans a multi-layer PCB manufacturing plant on an 84-acre plot in Tumakuru, investing ₹1,500 crore and creating 1,000 jobs, while Elleve Solutions will set up a PCB and electronics manufacturing unit in the city with an investment of ₹250 crore. TSUYO Manufacturing will establish a ₹250 crore EV powertrain unit in Dharwad, generating 700 jobs, and MiniMines Cleantech Solutions will invest ₹350 crore in a critical mineral refining facility. Eyestem Research also signed an LoI for vision-restoration research using cell-based therapies.
In addition to investment announcements, Karnataka introduced skilling initiatives to strengthen workforce capabilities. Marvell Semiconductor and the Electronics Sector Skills Council of India signed an MoU to train 90 women in VLSI design and embedded systems, focusing on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and integrating the programme with graduation-level courses. The Nipuna Karnataka initiative aims to train 4,000 youth in AI, cybersecurity, and data science, initially opening 2,800 job opportunities through four training aggregators partnering with corporate employers in technology and finance.
The government’s Bengaluru Innovation Report highlighted the city’s growth as a global tech hub, ranking fifth worldwide in AI, India’s leading unicorn capital, and accounting for 58% of the country’s total AI funding. Beyond Bengaluru, emerging clusters in Mysuru, Mangaluru, and Hubballi-Dharwad are gaining momentum, supported by new infrastructure, increased investor interest, and strong state backing.
