Minister for Information and Bio Technology and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Priyank Kharge speaks at a press conference on Wednesday, September 24, in Mangaluru

| Photo Credit: H.S. MANJUNATH

Minister for Information Technology and Biotechnology Priyank Kharge on Wednesday, September 24, said the department will develop the Mangaluru-Udupi-Manipal cluster as a start up cluster with focus on aqua marine biotechnology and nano global capability centres (GCC).Speaking to reporters here, Mr. Kharge said the department was starting accelerators to support start-ups depending upon the local needs. Of the 400 applications received to commence start-ups in the State, 89 were from Mangaluru region, including 30 led by women entrepreneurs. “We are opening a start-up foundry here,” he said.Mr. Kharge said the department has already released ₹250 crore to develop infrastructure in the six identified clusters in the State, including Mangaluru and the other being, Mysuru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Tumakuru, Shivamogga, and Kalaburagi. Each cluster would have accelerators supporting the local economy and needs.Mr. Kharge referred to his launching of Nitte-Government of Karnataka Centre of Excellence in Aquamarine Innovation of Nitte (Deemed to be University) at Deralakatte here on Wednesday and the Yenepoya Technology Incubator, as examples of local need-based start-ups. In Kalaburagi cluster, the department is focusing on agri-tech accelerator as the region grows tur dal predominantly.Speaking further on strengthening each cluster, Mr. Kharge said the department has earmarked ₹110 crore for each cluster to start one each accelerator. Also, it would spend ₹60 crore to develop growth labs to provide plug and play facility. It would also provide innovation labs with machinery and equipment to start-ups, he added.Doubling IT exportsThe department, Mr. Kharge said, wants the Mangaluru cluster to double its IT services export from the previous year’s ₹3,500 crore by taking several initiatives. He urged educational institutions and industries to sit together and give him a check list as to the needs of the region to support the start-ups and the department would make efforts to fulfill them. “We want to get a new recognition to this region at the International level,” Mr. Kharge said. Published - September 24, 2025 07:30 pm IST