Priyank Kharge, Karnataka's Information Technology and Biotechnology Minister, highlighted the state's capability to train one million chip designers within the next five years, catering to the demand in the US. Kharge expressed this during his address at Techceleration 2023 in Belagavi. Additionally, the Minister emphasized the Karnataka government's plans to create a Preferential Public Procurement Policy aimed at providing backing to local startups.

The Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) organized the third edition of Techceleration, a prominent event spotlighting Karnataka's robust IT, Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM), and Science and Technology sectors within the Hubballi-Dharwad-Belagavi (HDB) cluster, concluding last Friday. The event aimed to unite innovators, entrepreneurs, and technology enthusiasts to explore the latest trends, exchange ideas, and contribute to Karnataka's thriving tech ecosystem. Notably, the HDB cluster has made significant strides, witnessing the emergence of 16 new companies and the expansion of four existing ones. An additional 40 companies have shown commitment to establishing cluster industries, showcasing robust growth prospects.

A newly inaugurated manufacturing unit has created employment opportunities for 3,000 individuals. Furthermore, the entrepreneurial landscape has blossomed with the launch of 150 startups, supported by a substantial capital investment of Rs 25 crore. These collective efforts underscore the vibrant and dynamic business ecosystem within the HDB cluster. During the event, the IT Minister emphasized, "In addition to our sector-specific 'Ease of Doing Business' initiatives, we aim to develop a Preferential Public Procurement Policy. This policy will ensure government backing for startups holding unique intellectual property registered with our startup cell. If these startups are involved in the 'Beyond Bengaluru Initiative' of the Karnataka government, we aspire to be the first government to introduce this initiative. It will enable government procurement of products and services with Unique IP owned by these startups".