“This MoU marks a significant step in strengthening Karnataka’s position as a global innovation hub,” said state IT/BT minister Priyank Kharge in a statement. “By fostering partnerships between the government and emerging platforms, we are enabling startups with the support systems, mentorship, and market access needed to scale and succeed.”
The partnership will establish a framework to support startups from early-stage validation to market entry and scale, with access to networks, infrastructure, and funding opportunities, said the statement.
The collaboration will focus on running structured startup programmes, enabling industry-academia partnerships, and supporting innovation across sectors such as artificial intelligence, deeptech, climatetech, and healthtech.
A key focus area will be expanding entrepreneurial activity beyond Bengaluru into tier II and tier III regions through bootcamps, outreach programmes, and curated investor and industry engagements, the statement added.
Startups from government-backed initiatives such as Elevate Bengaluru, Beyond Bengaluru, and Innoverse will gain access to IdeaBaaz’s platform.
The partnership will also support skill development through workshops, training sessions, and knowledge-sharing initiatives aimed at building industry-ready talent.
“This collaboration is focussed on execution at scale, helping startups translate ideas into tangible business outcomes,” said Mudit Kumar, cofounder, Ideabaaz. “It is about building a framework where startups grow on real market traction.”
The collaboration is expected to drive startup growth, increase investor participation, and generate employment, while strengthening Karnataka’s position as a key hub for emerging technologies, said the statement.