Copyright indiatimes
The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday approved the Startup Policy 2025-2030 with an outlay of Rs 518 crore to back the state’s innovation ecosystem. The policy will help set up 25,000 startups in artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, quantum computing and other deeptech domains. This includes 10,000 startups beyond the Bengaluru region to promote equitable growth in the state.The government said the policy will establish Karnataka as the “champion state” in the startup ecosystem. “It will build on the state’s strong legacy of innovation, deepen global partnerships, and expand support across regions and sectors,” the government said in a statement after the cabinet meeting.The state’s policy has identified seven strategic pillars. These are funding and grants, incubation and infrastructure support, mentoring and skill development, market access and expansion, international collaboration and access, inclusion and sustainability, and regulatory facilitation.Priyank Kharge, the state's IT-BT minister, said in a statement that such initiatives will nurture the startup culture in Karnataka. “Karnataka already stands as the unrivalled leader in India’s startup landscape, playing a pivotal role in positioning the country as a global innovation and entrepreneurial hub,” he said.He further said that the policy will empower impact-driven business models, boost social entrepreneurship, and promote inclusive growth in Karnataka.Earlier this week, the IT-BT ministry announced a Rs 600-crore investment plan to support entrepreneurs in the deeptech domain. Under this plan, the government is also exploring a Rs 200-crore fund-of-funds and co-investment models with the venture capital firms from across the country to ensure continuous capital flow in the state.In October, Kharge had met over 50 members of the VC fraternity to discuss the future of innovation and investment in Karnataka's technology landscape.The state is home to nearly 50 of India’s 118 unicorns and has 18,000 registered startups, accounting for 15% of all DPIIT-recognised startups in India. According to the Global StartupBlink Index 2025, Bengaluru ranks 10th among the world’s top 20 startup cities.
