The Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) is an initiative of the Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology, and Government of Karnataka. The platform aims to create partnerships with leading countries in the field of technology and innovation. This programme was conceptualized in 2017 under the Karnataka Unit for International Co-operation (KUIC), and the GIA partners have grown exponentially, from 10 countries in 2018 to 30+ countries in 2024. The GIA Meet aimed to strengthen international cooperation, foster innovation, and invite global participation in the upcoming BTS 2024 scheduled from November 19-21, 2024, at the iconic Bangalore Palace.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Kharge, Hon’ble Minister for IT, Bt, and Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Government of Karnataka emphasized the importance of Bengaluru and Karnataka as a global hub for technology collaboration. He stated, “Bengaluru is not just the tech capital of India but also a globally recognized center for innovation, research, and technology-driven growth. The Bengaluru Tech Summit has been a catalyst in bringing together the brightest minds from around the world to exchange ideas and foster innovation. I urge our Global Innovation Alliance partners to include BTS 2024 in their event calendar and actively participate, contributing to the growth of our shared technology future. Karnataka continues to be the destination of choice for technology collaboration, and we look forward to welcoming our GIA Partner countries to explore opportunities and drive innovation together.”

International partners were invited to bring their country delegations, including both ministerial, academic, R&D and corporate representatives, participate in the exhibition by setting up country pavilions to showcase their technological capabilities, hold meetings with representatives from various nations, and conduct focused sessions under the Global Collaboration Track in the conference.

Echoing the message from Shri Kharge, Dr. Ekroop Caur, Secretary to Government, Department of E, IT, Bt, and S&T, Government of Karnataka said, “GIA has been a key pillar in promoting Karnataka’s status as a global innovation hub, fostering partnerships with over 30 countries worldwide. Through these partnerships, Karnataka has successfully established itself as a vibrant centre for technology and innovation, creating a conducive environment for startups, entrepreneurs, and global corporations alike. The GIA Meet marks the start of global outreach efforts to ensure robust international participation in this as well as the future editions of Bengaluru Tech Summit.”

Dr. Ekroop Caur presented an overview of the event along with new GIA initiatives which will be tailored to the requirements of the partner countries. She spoke about how the Government of Karnataka is actively enhancing its global engagement through several key initiatives aimed at fostering international collaboration for the state’s vibrant startup ecosystem. The Global Innovation Alliance Market Access Programme (GIA MAP) has successfully facilitated physical exploratory visits for growth-stage Karnataka startups to five countries—UAE, Singapore, Belgium, Australia, and Germany—across various tech segments, supporting 42 startups. Notably, the recent edition in North Rhine Westphalia, Germany, announced a Welcome Package offering €10,000 in financial support to Karnataka-based startups. In addition, the GIA Mixer, a monthly event launched in August 2024, focuses on promoting collaboration with a new country each month, with the pilot edition featuring DeepTech and Fintech startups pitching to Australian counterparts. Furthering its commitment to nurturing innovation, the Department is in discussions with the UK’s Catapult Network and Paris’s Station F incubator to bolster Karnataka’s Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and support the growth of its startups. The Department has recently launched a newsletter: ‘The Innovation Chronicle’: a monthly guide to key events, initiatives, and industry highlights in ESDM, startups, IT, and biotech through different sections like Breaking news, Department Hub, Industry in Focus, Luminary talks, among many other interesting insights from the Department.

The event under the theme ‘Breaking Boundaries’, will provide unbound opprtunities that will feature a range of activities including a 6-track Conference covering IT & Deep Tech, Biotech & Healthtech, Startup Ecosystem, Global Innovation Alliance, India-USA Tech Conclave and newly added Electro-Semicon track. The Conference will host over 85 sessions featuring 460+ speakers. Each of these tracks are curated by a committee of experts from the industry, research and academia. Special programs like the India-USA Tech Conclave, CEO Conclave, Startup Conclave, and Fireside Chats with renowned personalities will also be featured. The International Exhibition with over 700 Exhibitors including  500+ startups will be a major hightlight with focused pavilions on Corporate & Industry, Global Innovation Alliance, Startup Zone, STPI National Showcase, MSME Pavilion, R&D Pavilion (Lab to Market), Leading States of India, Karnataka Showcase and Technology Parks. This year there is a special emphasis for the sectorial pavilions focusing on industry sectors like Biotech & Healthtech, Electro & Semicon, Telecom, Spacetech, Mobility, Greentech, Edutech, BFSI & Fintech and Animation & Gaming.

Bengaluru, July 12: Shri Priyank Kharge, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology & Biotechnology and RDPR, Government of Karnataka, announced the 27th edition of Asia’s largest Technology Show, Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) 2024, at a Press Conference held in Bengaluru. Scheduled from November 19-21 2024 at the iconic Bangalore Palace, BTS 2024 will once again position Bengaluru at the forefront of global tech innovation & collaboration.

Ahead of this press conference, a Breakfast Meet was held where Shri Siddaramaiah, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka, engaged in an interactive session with over 200 CEOs from India’s leading IT, Semiconductor & Electronics, AVGC, Biotech and Startup organizations. This 2-hour interactive meet also saw the presence of Shri D.K. Shivakumar, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka; Shri Priyank Kharge, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology & Biotechnology and RDPR, Government of Karnataka, Shri Prashanth Prakash, Chairman, Vision Group on Startups, Govt. of Karnataka and Dr. Ekroop Caur, IAS, Secretary to Government, Dept. of E, IT, Bt and S&T, Govt. of Karnataka. The goal of this meet was to foster an open dialogue between government officials and tech leadership, centered on Karnataka’s vibrant tech ecosystem and future prospects. The discussions were facilitated by prominent industry associations including NASSCOM, IESA, TiE Bangalore and ABLE.  The Department of Electronics, Information Technology & Biotechnology Govt. of Karnataka, also presented an ‘Action Taken Report’ addressing the industry representatives’ feedback from the 2023 Breakfast Meeting.

An overview of the upcoming BTS 2024 was presented, with the continued event theme “Breaking Boundaries,” highlighting how technology transcends traditional sector, country, culture, and industry boundaries. Karnataka, with Bengaluru at its heart, is a global technology hub known for its vibrant ecosystem fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. BTS 2024 takes forward this vision, creating unbound opportunities for idea exchange, business growth, and international collaborations. The unique feature of BTS is that all the leading industry associations like NASSCOM, IESA, ABLE, TiE Bangalore, ABAI as well as USIBC and AMCHAM partner with the event.

The multi-stage Conference at BTS 2024 will serve as a vibrant hub for the exchange of new ideas. Spanning six focused tracks over 3 days, the Conference will cover IT & Deep Tech, Biotech & Healthtech, Startup Ecosystem, Global Innovation Alliance, India-USA Tech Conclave and newly added Electro-Semicon track. The Conference will host over 85 sessions featuring 460+ speakers. Each of these tracks are curated by a committee of experts from the industry, research and academia. Special programs like the CEO Conclave, Startup Conclave, and Fireside Chats with renowned personalities will also be featured.

The newly introduced Electro-Semicon track will spotlight cutting-edge advancements in sectors such as Telecom, Mobility, Manufacturing, Consumer Electronics, and Semiconductors. This track will emphasize breakthroughs in electronic components, semiconductor technologies, and integrated circuits, showcasing innovations that are driving the future of these pivotal industries.

This year, there will be an increased focus on B2B meetings, allowing delegates and companies to engage in more structured and productive sessions. Attendees can schedule meetings with the prospects well in advance and connect with participants seamlessly during the event. The exciting lineup for BTS will be conveniently accessible through a dedicated Event App. The app will also provide real-time updates and personalized recommendations to enhance the overall event experience.

In addition, BTS2024 will also feature a Hackathon where problem statements from various government departments will be presented. Industry partners will provide necessary infrastructure, support, and mentorship to startups pitching solutions. The selected startups will have the opportunity to present their innovative solutions at BTS2024.

Strategic Roundtables with GCCs, investors, startup ecosystem, Beyond Bengaluru and more will be held to create a roadmap for Karnataka’s continued leadership. The International Exhibition with over 700 Exhibitors at BTS2024 will be a major hightlight with focused pavilions on Corporate & Industry, Global Innovation Alliance, Startup Zone, STPI National Showcase, MSME Pavilion, R&D Pavilion (Lab to Market), Leading States of India, Karnataka Showcase and Technology Parks. This year there is a special emphasis for the sectorial pavilions such as Biotech & Healthtech, Electro & Semicon, Telecom, Spacetech, Mobility, Greentech, Edutech, BFSI & Fintech and Animation & Gaming.

BTS 2024 will honor achievement and excellence at a prestigious Awards Ceremony, featuring accolades such as the STPI IT Export Awards, Smart Bio Awards, Startup & Investor Awards, and more.

This edition marks a milestone for one of its key show elements- the TCS Rural IT Quiz– as it celebrates its silver jubilee. The Finale of the BioQuiz will also be held during the event. These national level quiz competitions are aimed at creating a talent pool in IT and Biotech Sector. Another initiative, the Bio Posters- Walkway of Discovery, provides a platform for research students and graduates to showcase their innovative concepts and ideas, fostering recognition of young talent.

Shri Priyank Kharge, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology & Biotechnology and RDPR, Government of Karnataka said, “Karnataka serves as the headquarters for major tech giants, GCCs, and leading unicorns. This success stems not only from the State’s industry-friendly policies and programs, but also from our active engagement and collaboration with the complete tech ecosystem. We also deeply value our close association with Global Innovation Alliance Partners and with them, BTS attracts the world’s foremost leaders, innovators, and disruptors, drawing over 50,000 tech enthusiasts from India and more than 40 nations.”

BTS 2024 anticipates hosting several international Delegations from Global Innovation Alliance Partner Nations. The Global Collaborations Track in the Conference will feature sessions curated by these GIA Partner Countries. Tech nations worldwide will showcase their technological prowess in the International pavilion in the Exhibition.

BTS 2024 is expected to have participation from 40+ Countries, with 460+ Speakers in over 85 Sessions, 5000+ Delegates, 500+Start-Ups, 700+ Exhibitors,  with an overall expo footfall of 50,000+.

The Press Conference was also address by Dr. Ekroop Caur, IAS, Secretary to Government, Department of E, IT, Bt and S&T, Govt. of Karnataka; Shri B.V. Naidu, Chairman, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission; Shri Shailendra Tyagi, Director, Software Technology Parks of India- Bengaluru, Shri Darshan H.V, IAS, Director, Dept. of E, IT, Bt and Managing Director, KITS, Govt. of Karnatakaand Ms. Ruchi Bindal, IAS, Deputy Secretary, Dept. of E, IT, Bt, and S&T, Govt. of Karnataka.