Karnataka to have dedicated single-window interface to promote international tech partnerships

Karnataka's government aims to establish a dedicated single-window interface to manage international partnerships effectively, ensuring continuity after delegations leave Bengaluru, according to IT and Home Minister Priyank Kharge. The minister emphasized that success should be measured by factors beyond the number of delegations, MoUs, and letters of intent, such as the number of Karnataka startups entering new markets, technologies developed jointly, collaborative research programs initiated, pilots transformed into businesses, and investments generated into job creation.

The government plans to adopt a defined partnership lifecycle, starting with identifying suitable partners and aligning priorities, followed by formalization, execution, measurement, and scaling of successful programs. Instead of counting MoUs and delegations, the government will track the number of Karnataka startups venturing into new markets, technologies jointly developed, research programs launched, pilots converted into businesses, and investments made into jobs.

This global collaboration approach is already being applied in areas like urban mobility, where international experts are working with Karnataka on infrastructure, mass rapid transit, metro systems, and last-mile connectivity. The minister also highlighted the changing nature of economic competition and collaboration, noting that technologies like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors, biotechnology, climate technology, and space technology are increasingly being developed through networks involving universities, startups, researchers, investors, corporations, and governments.

Karnataka is aiming to become a global innovation partner, shifting its focus from attracting investments to creating measurable outcomes such as joint technology development, startup expansion, research partnerships, and job creation. The state has committed over ₹600 crore towards next-generation innovation and boasts over 80,000 startups and over 1,100 global capability centers.

The State accounts for over 40% of India's IT and services exports and a similar share of the country's engineering research and development talent. Nearly half of India's AI talent is concentrated in Karnataka, with Bengaluru's technology startups attracting $4.4 billion in funding during the first nine months of 2026, accounting for 43% of India's technology investment during the period.

The State is also working on emerging sectors, with plans to create a $20-billion quantum economy by 2035 and a dedicated quantum city, as well as aiming to secure a 50% share of India's space market and 5% of the global market.