In a major push to promote innovation and job creation outside Bengaluru, a new Incubation Centre has been launched in Kalaburagi under the Karnataka government's flagship Local Economy Accelerator Programme (LEAP), posted by Karnataka’s IT & BT minister Priyank M Kharge on LinkedIn.
The centre, a collaboration between the IT & BT Department of Karnataka, the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), and PDA College of Engineering, aims to provide support for startups, entrepreneurs, and young professionals in Tier-2 cities.
With a ₹1,000 crore commitment, LEAP is focused on cities like Kalaburagi, Mysuru, Hubballi-Dharwad, and Mangaluru. The programme offers modern infrastructure, mentorship from industry leaders, training in emerging technologies, and strong partnerships between industry and academia.
“This is part of our broader #BeyondBengaluru mission, which is focused on building strong, self-sustaining local ecosystems across Karnataka,” Kharge said.
Highlighting the significance of the move, he further added, “If Tier 2 and Tier 3 India aren’t future-ready, then the nation never truly will be. That’s why we’re doubling down on regions like Kalaburagi, where the potential has always been clear.”
The centre aims to tap into the local talent pool and foster a thriving startup culture. “Our youth are ambitious, our entrepreneurs are fearless and our institutions are rich in legacy. What they’ve needed is an ecosystem that backs them,” he said.
This initiative is expected to create more opportunities for young innovators and help decentralise Karnataka’s startup success beyond the capital.
Previously, as part of Karnataka's global capability centres (GCC) policy 2024, the government reaffirmed its commitment to offering the right incentives and fostering innovation in Tier 2 cities, aiming to make opportunities for growth and prosperity more inclusive.
The GCC policy emphasises regional development, particularly through the ‘Beyond Bengaluru’ initiative. This program targets decentralising GCC activities by promoting cities like Mysuru, Mangaluru, and Tumakuru as viable alternatives for establishing new centres.
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