Karnataka's Rs 1,000 Crore LEAP Towards Inclusive Innovation

The Karnataka government's department of Electronics, IT, and BT has announced the launch of the LEAP (Local Economy Accelerator Programme) with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore to promote statewide innovation. The initiative aims to create five lakh jobs and foster robust startup ecosystems beyond Bengaluru.

While Bengaluru remains an acclaimed technology hub, ranking highly in global indexes, LEAP focuses on extending opportunities to emerging tech clusters. These areas include Mysuru-Chamarajanagar, Mangaluru-Udupi, and Hubbali-Belagavi-Dharwad, aiming to transform them into globally competitive hubs.

IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge emphasized that LEAP represents a commitment to sharing the benefits of innovation throughout Karnataka. The program addresses gaps in infrastructure and funding, supporting startups from inception to market maturity, thereby contributing to a resilient economic future.