The 4th edition of Techceleration 2024 was a major success, gathering industry leaders, government officials, and entrepreneurs to discuss the future of technology and innovation within the Hubballi – Dharwad – Belgaum (HDB) cluster. As part of Karnataka’s Beyond Bengaluru initiative, the event highlighted the region’s rapid transformation and its potential to become a global leader in sectors like ESDM, AI, and electric vehicles.
The event featured keynote speeches and panel discussions on a variety of topics, including the growth of the semiconductor and electronics industries, the importance of workforce reskilling, and the potential of emerging technologies such as AI and drones. Prominent speakers like Dr. Veerappan VV, Mr. Venkatesh Patil, Mrs. Parnika Pavanram, and Sri Sharath Bachegowda shared their insights on how the HDB cluster is uniquely positioned to drive India’s technological progress.
Collaboration between the government, industry, and academia was emphasized as crucial for fostering innovation and supporting startups. Key government initiatives like Project Bhashini and the IndiaAI Mission were highlighted as essential for advancing the ESDM and AI sectors.
Industries Minister M B Patil’s address included several key proposals:
He proposed the creation of a Manufacturing Launchpad on a 5-acre plot previously identified for KEONICS in Belgaum, designed as a flatted factory.
Mr. Patil underscored Belgaum’s potential as a hub for electric vehicles and drones, suggesting a special package and the allocation of 250 acres for this purpose.
He called for the establishment of a Center of Excellence on AI within the HDB cluster to drive innovation in artificial intelligence.
Plans were announced to rejuvenate the Hubballi IT Park, renaming it the “Global Technology Center Hubballi” and transforming it into a startup hub for the region.
Mr. Patil proposed converting 2 acres of KEONICS land in Hubballi into the HDB Hub for Startups, providing incubation space for small companies.
He also advocated for improving the ease of doing business in the region, recommending that KDEM should serve as the single-window support system for industry through a government order.
As the event concluded, Kiran Kulkarni, Head of the HDB Cluster at Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), delivered the vote of thanks, expressing deep appreciation to all the dignitaries, speakers, and participants who contributed to the success of Techceleration 2024. He acknowledged the Government of Karnataka’s efforts in promoting the HDB cluster and thanked industry leaders for their ongoing support and commitment to the region’s growth.
Mr. Kulkarni emphasized that the insights and discussions from the event would be instrumental in shaping the future of the HDB cluster, guiding it toward becoming a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. He concluded by encouraging everyone to continue working together to unlock the full potential of the HDB cluster.
