Mysuru, July 24: Reinforcing Mysuru‘s emergence as Karnataka’s next technology growth corridor, the sixth edition of the Mysuru Big Tech Show 2026, held under the Government of Karnataka’s Beyond Bengaluru Mission, concluded today with industry, government and academia collectively outlining the next phase of the city‘s digital economy journey.
Anchored by the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission, the two-day summit convened policymakers, Global Capability Centreleaders, semiconductor manufacturers, AI experts, startups, investors, academia and technology enterprises to accelerate Karnataka’s vision of building globally competitive technology clusters beyond Bengaluru. The conference showcased how Mysuru, together with Chamarajanagar and Mandya, is evolving into an integrated technology corridor supported by expanding digital infrastructure, progressive policy interventions, a strong talent base and increasing industry participation.
The event featured over 120 speakers, 100+ exhibitors, participation from five country partners, global consulates, CXO roundtables and policy dialogues spanning Global Capability Centres , Artificial Intelligence, Electronics System Design & Manufacturing , semiconductors, cybersecurity, startups, workforce transformation and digital infrastructure.
Over the two-day summit, discussions highlighted how Mysuru is building a differentiated value proposition by bringing together engineering talent, research institutions, advanced manufacturing, progressive policy support and high-quality infrastructure into a unified innovation ecosystem. Conversations focused on the critical enablers required to accelerate the city‘s next phase of growth, from expanding Global Capability Centres and electronics manufacturing to strengthening AI, cybersecurity, deep-tech innovation and industry-academia collaboration. Stakeholders also underscored the role of initiatives such as NIPUNA, the Karnataka Accelerator Network, Elevate, the Cluster Seed Fund and District Digital Economy Committees in developing future-ready talent, supporting entrepreneurship and creating an enabling environment for long-term investment.
The deliberations reflected a growing consensus that Mysuru is transitioning from a traditional education and industrial centre into a data-backed, investment-ready digital economy. That momentum was further validated through the release of two landmark reports during the summit, providing fresh evidence of the city‘s expanding technology workforce, growing enterprise capabilities and increasing attractiveness as a destination for Global Capability Centres, advanced engineering, electronics manufacturing and AI-led businesses.
The conference also arrived on the back of two landmark research reports that provide strong evidence of Mysuru‘s growing economic momentum.
Mysuru Cluster Talent Report Highlights
The Mysuru Cluster Talent Report, by Xpheno in partnership with KDEM, provides one of the most comprehensive assessments of Mysuru‘s evolving knowledge economy.
The report highlights:
● Nearly 300,000 active white-collar professionals, including approximately 90,000 experienced professionals, making Mysuru Karnataka’s second-largest technology talent ecosystem after Bengaluru.
● 46% of the experienced workforce has up to six years of experience, providing a strong pipeline of industry-ready talent.
● 54% of the workforce comprises mid and senior professionals, creating a balanced leadership pipeline for Global Capability Centres, R&D centres and advanced engineering organisations.
● IT & ITeS remains the city‘s largest employment sector, engaging more than 20,000 professionals, followed by manufacturing, BFSI, healthcare and automotive.
● Engineering and IT functions together employ over 23,000 professionals, reinforcing Mysuru‘s growing engineering and digital capability base.
● 30% of the workforce possesses Computer Science qualifications, supported by strong multidisciplinary talent across business, commerce and sciences.
● Programming, business and database skills continue to dominate Mysuru‘s technology capability landscape, reflecting increasing enterprise demand.
● Mysuru has emerged as a net talent attraction destination, with 44,600 professionals across India expressing interest in relocating to Mysuru, compared to 16,000 professionals looking outward, signalling growing confidence in the city‘s technology ecosystem.
● Nearly 69% of inbound professionals originate from Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Mangaluru and Delhi, further strengthening Mysuru‘s position as a preferred regional technology destination.
Global Cybersecurity Skill Gap Report
● Cybersecurity skills shortage has reached a critical global inflection point, with a gap of 4.8 million professionals worldwide, while cybercrime losses are projected to exceed USD 23 trillion by 2027, making talent shortages a strategic business and national security challenge.
● Artificial Intelligence is emerging as the biggest force multiplier in cybersecurity, with:
○ 81% of CXOs identify AI-driven Threat Detection & Response as the area that will benefit the most.
○ AI is also expected to significantly transform SOC automation, User Behaviour Analytics, Identity & Access Management, Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC), Fraud Detection and Vulnerability Management.
● AI is no longer experimental, it’s becoming mainstream for cyber defence.
○ 95% believe AI is accelerating cybersecurity adoption.
○ 94% believe AI helps bridge the cybersecurity skills gap.
○ 93% of organisations have adopted AI.
○ 90% say additional AI training is essential.
Major Ecosystem Announcements
The Mysuru Big Tech Show also witnessed several important ecosystem milestones:
● Release of the Mysuru Cluster Talent Report by Xpheno.
● Launch of the Cyber & AI Skill Gap Report.
● Launch of the Agentic AI Cybersecurity Course.
● Issuance of Letters of Intent (LoIs) for the proposed Global Technology Centre (GTC).
● Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between State Bank of India and KDEM.
● Presenting Mysuru Platinum Award for Outstanding Industrialist.
Key Infrastructure & Ecosystem Highlights
The Mysuru Cluster is rapidly emerging as one of India’s most promising technology and innovation ecosystems, driven by a strong talent base, expanding Global Capability Centres, advanced manufacturing, and progressive government policies.
● ₹5,700 crore in IT exports , making Mysuru Karnataka’s second-largest IT exporting city after Bengaluru.
● 40+ IT/ITES companies with 10+ recent expansions, creating 5,300+ IT jobs over the last five years.
● Three new GCCs: Forward Air, Onyx Technologies and J.J. Keller established operations, reinforcing Mysuru‘s position as an emerging GCC destination.
● 440+ DPIIT-recognised startups across technology, healthcare, education, electronics and defence.
● A strong education ecosystem comprising 23 degree colleges, 11 engineering colleges and 12 polytechnics, supporting Karnataka’s next-generation digital workforce.
● Recognised by Deloitte and NASSCOM as one of India’s Top Emerging Tech Hubs.
● 11 lakh sq. ft. of ready office space with an additional 20 lakh sq. ft. of IT infrastructure under development.
● Global Technology Centre – 1.6 lakh sq. ft. plug-and-play technology hub under development for IT, GCCs, startups, AI and emerging technologies.
● Electronics Manufacturing Cluster- 235.5 acres with an investment of ₹245.67Cr, supporting PCB manufacturing, OSAT/ATMP, embedded systems and contract manufacturing.
● The 150-acre PCB Park was announced to establish a complete PCB fabrication and electronics manufacturing ecosystem.
● Development of dedicated electronics component clusters covering laminates, copper, passive components and supporting electronics materials.
● Establishment of a Cybersecurity Innovation Ecosystem, ESDM Centre of Excellence, Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) and Lahari Common Facility Centre, India’s first PPP-based advanced electronics testing facility.
KEY SESSION HIGHLIGHTS
on positioning the region as a preferred destination for electronics manufacturing, semiconductor supply chains and advanced engineering.
- BEYOND BENGALURU DIALOGUE:
Moderated by Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, CEO, KDEM, the high-level dialogue featured Dr. Selvakumar S, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Commerce and Industries, Government of Karnataka, and Dr. Manjula N, IAS, Secretary, Department of Electronics, IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka.
The conversation outlined the Government’s vision for accelerating Mysuru‘s emergence as Karnataka’s leading technology and innovation hub beyond Bengaluru. It further highlighted Mysuru‘s strategic strengths in electronics, IT, biotechnology, startups and advanced manufacturing, while emphasising the importance of industry-government collaboration to drive sustainable regional growth.
The session showcased several strategic initiatives, including the Electronics Manufacturing Cluster, Global Technology Centre, LEAP Labs, Cluster Seed Fund, NIPUNA Karnataka, and the District Digital Development Committee as key enablers for building a future-ready digital economy.
The discussion reaffirmed the government’s commitment to developing plug-and-play infrastructure, streamlining approvals through single-window and affidavit-based clearance mechanisms, strengthening Centres of Excellence in partnership with academia, and positioning Mysuru as the flagship Beyond Bengaluru cluster through collaborative governance, innovation-led investments, and industry-driven policy co-creation.
2. GCC ROUNDTABLE: Talent as Infrastructure – Building Mysuru‘s GCC-Ready Workforce
Chaired by Ms. Aarti, Senior Consultant, Ripples Advisory, The session, held under the broader vision of the Karnataka Skill Policy and Workforce Blueprint, focused on creating a future-ready talent ecosystem aligned with the evolving needs of GCCs, AI-led enterprises, and advanced manufacturing. Participants unanimously agreed that Mysuru‘s strong academic base, quality of life, lower operating costs, and emerging innovation ecosystem provide a compelling foundation for attracting knowledge-driven investments beyond Bengaluru.
The discussion highlighted that while Mysuru possesses the capacity to become a preferred GCC destination, sustained growth will depend on strengthening industry-academia collaboration, creating AI-first and future skills curricula, establishing Centres of Excellence, promoting innovation-led entrepreneurship, and ensuring greater talent retention through globally competitive career opportunities. Participants also emphasised that future GCCs would increasingly seek specialised, Day-One-ready talent rather than large-scale generic hiring, making demand-driven skilling and continuous curriculum modernisation critical to Karnataka’s competitiveness.
The roundtable centred around four key priorities:
● Future-Ready Talent: Building AI-first, digital, cybersecurity, automation, advanced manufacturing and emerging technology skills through demand-driven skilling aligned with industry needs.
● Industry-Academia Collaboration: Strengthening curriculum co-design, faculty immersion programmes, industry-led assessments, Centres of Excellence, internships and apprenticeship models to bridge the employability gap.
● Mysuru as a GCC Destination: Leveraging Mysuru‘s academic ecosystem, quality of life, competitive operating environment and innovation culture to attract high-value GCCs, R&D centres and global technology investments while improving talent retention through meaningful careers and pay parity.
● Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Shifting the narrative beyond placements towards product innovation, startups, research-led collaboration and institutional partnerships to position Mysuru as a globally competitive technology and innovation hub.
- CHRO ROUNDTABLE: BUILDING MYSURU‘S WORKFORCE ADVANTAGE FOR AI, GCCs AND DIGITAL KARNATAKA 2030:
Chaired by Dr. E. V. Ramana Reddy, IAS (Retd.), Chairman, Karnataka Skill Development Authority and co-chaired by Dr. Avinash Menon, IAS, MD, KITS and Director, Department of Electronics, IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka, the roundtable convened CHROs, industry leaders, HR professionals, academia and ecosystem stakeholders to deliberate on building a future-ready workforce that will power Karnataka’s digital economy and position Mysuru as a preferred destination for AI, Global Capability Centres , advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies. The discussion reinforced the State’s vision of a demand-driven, evidence-based skilling ecosystem under the Karnataka Skill Policy, aligned with its ambition of becoming a US$1 trillion economy by 2032 through the skilling of three million people.
○ The session highlighted Mysuru‘s growing strengths as a talent hub, backed by its strong educational ecosystem, quality of life and expanding industry presence, while identifying the need for deeper industry-academia collaboration to develop “day-one-ready” talent equipped for AI-driven industries.
○ Participants noted that rapid technological advancements are transforming workforce requirements, with emerging job roles evolving significantly and AI impacting sectors beyond IT, including manufacturing, healthcare and agriculture.
○ The discussion emphasised the importance of continuous curriculum modernisation, faculty immersion programmes, Centres of Excellence, interdisciplinary AI education, entrepreneurship, innovation-led learning and structured industry partnerships to bridge the gap between academia and industry.
The discussion focused on four key pillars:
● Future Skills & Workforce Readiness – Building demand-driven, evidence-based skills aligned with AI, cybersecurity, automation, advanced manufacturing, green skills and other emerging sectors.
● Industry-Academia Collaboration – Strengthening curriculum design, faculty immersion, practitioner exchanges, Centres of Excellence, internships and industry-led assessments to create globally competitive talent.
● Innovation & Entrepreneurship – Shifting the focus from placement-led education towards product development, startup creation, innovation ecosystems, hackathons and research-driven learning.
● Talent Retention & Mysuru‘s Workforce Advantage – Leveraging Mysuru‘s educational ecosystem, quality of life and collaborative ecosystem to retain local talent while attracting high-value investments, GCCs and future-ready enterprises.
● From Local to Global – Building Global Market Access: Global consulates, trade representatives and industry leaders explored pathways to strengthen export readiness, international partnerships and global market access for startups and technology enterprises.
● Startup Leadership – Founder Conversations & Industry Stalwarts: Entrepreneurs and ecosystem leaders shared insights on scaling globally competitive businesses from regional India through innovation, product development and ecosystem collaboration.
4.MYSURU VISION ROUNDTABLE: Building Mysuru‘s Innovation & Talent Ecosystem
Chaired by Mr. Mohandas Pai, Chairman, Aarin Capital & Founding Chairman, KDEM, the vision roundtable brought together industry leaders, academia, entrepreneurs and ecosystem stakeholders to identify strategic interventions for accelerating Mysuru‘s emergence as a leading technology, innovation and startup hub. The discussion focused on strengthening the city‘s talent pipeline, startup ecosystem, infrastructure, global branding and investment attractiveness, while leveraging Mysuru‘s academic strengths, cultural heritage and quality of life. Participants emphasised that attracting investments would require coordinated action across government, industry and academia, supported by improved infrastructure, stronger alumni engagement, startup funding mechanisms and a unified brand narrative for Mysuru.
The discussion focused on five key priorities:
● Talent Development & Retention: Strengthening internships, industry-led skilling, alumni engagement and initiatives to attract experienced professionals back to Mysuru.
● Startup & Innovation Ecosystem: Building sector-focused startup clusters in areas such as agritech, culture-tech, tourism and deep-tech, supported by mentorship, funding and stronger industry collaboration.
● Infrastructure & Connectivity: Enhancing Grade-A office infrastructure, business parks, airport connectivity and flexible workspaces to improve Mysuru‘s investment readiness.
● Brand Mysuru: Positioning Mysuru as a technology, innovation and GCC destination beyond its identity as a tourism and heritage city through focused domestic and global outreach.
● Collaborative Growth Roadmap: Refreshing the Mysuru Vision Document and establishing a coordinated action plan involving government, academia, industry and alumni networks to drive long-term regional growth.
Dr. Manjula N., I.A.S., Secretary, Electronics, IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka, while addressing the gathering, said,
” Karnataka’s growth story is a testament to strong fundamentals – we contribute 24% of the country’s exports and lead in service exports, with 40% share nationally. We’ve also emerged as the second most attractive FDA destination in the country. However, Karnataka’s technology growth story is no longer confined to Bengaluru. Beyond Bangalore isn’t just an initiative – it’s a reality we’re building step by step and Mysuru stands out as a natural next hub, backed by a strong talent ecosystem and robust infrastructure. Platforms like the Mysuru Big Tech Show play a catalyst to further cement the vision by fostering meaningful dialogue, generating actionable ideas and creating partnerships that translate into policy, investment and impact. With LEAP, our Local Economic Accelerator Program and our ₹50 lakh Elevate Inspire grants we’re channeling investment, skilling, and innovation into Mysuru and other tier-2 cities. Through initiatives such as NIPUNA to develop -ready talent, the District Digital Economy Committees and the creation of world-class digital infrastructure, we are building an enabling ecosystem for technology companies to grow beyond the capital. We are at the vanguard of a transformative journey and I invite industry leaders to support, ideate and collaborate with us to build IT City in Mysuru.”
Addressing the gathering, B.V. Naidu, Chairman, KDEM said
“Investment today no longer follows incentives alone; it follows ecosystems. Mysuru is steadily building that ecosystem through strong government support, quality infrastructure and an innovation-led culture. Initiatives such as the Global Technology Centre, the Karnataka Accelerator Network, the Cluster Seed Fund and the Electronics Manufacturing Cluster, coupled with a thriving community of over 400 DPIIT-recognised startups, are creating the right environment for enterprises to innovate, scale and grow. What is particularly encouraging is that this momentum is extending beyond Mysuru into neighbouring districts, generating new employment opportunities and demonstrating how technology can drive inclusive regional development. The next phase is for industry to come together, champion Mysuru‘s growth story and build long-term capabilities that create global value from Karnataka.” He further added, “What you are witnessing in Mysuru today is not the result of chance; it is the outcome of a deliberate ‘Beyond Bengaluru’ strategy that Karnataka began pursuing as early as 2008. When you see committed industry leaders standing behind this mission, it reflects the collective confidence in Mysuru‘s potential. With two to three years of sustained collaboration between the Government, KDEM and industry, Mysuru will no longer be viewed as a tier-two city, but as a globally recognised technology hub driving the next phase of Karnataka’s digital growth. I congratulate the department of Electronics, IT & BT , Govt of Karnataka for this progress”
Welcoming the delegates, Sudhanva Dhananjaya,Lead Industry Anchor, Mysuru Cluster and Chairman & Managing Director, Excelsoft Technologies and Member, KDEM Board, said
“Mysuru‘s technology journey is no longer about potential; it is about progress. The growing participation at this conclave and the success of companies that have chosen to build and scale from Mysuru demonstrate that world-class businesses can be created from this city. While Bengaluru continues to be India’s technology capital, Mysuru has steadily carved out its own identity as an emerging innovation hub. Having built and scaled a company from Mysuru, I have witnessed this transformation firsthand. Today, the city has moved beyond proving its potential. It offers entrepreneurs the right combination of talent, infrastructure, affordability and an ecosystem where industry, academia and government are working together to enable innovation. The next phase of this journey will require continued collaboration and a shared vision, and KDEM provides the platform to bring stakeholders together and translate that vision into sustained action and long-term growth.”
At an exclusive panel discussion on “Beyond Bengaluru – Future Powerhouse of the Global Economy”, moderated by Mr. Jitendra Chaddah, Former MD & India Country Head, GlobalFoundries, industry leaders explored India’s next technology and manufacturing growth cycle, highlighting how AI, semiconductors, electronics, Global Capability Centres, quantum technologies and advanced manufacturing are creating unprecedented opportunities for regional economic transformation
Sharing his perspective during the panel, Ashok Chandak, President, IESA & SEMI India, said,
“India has entered a new investment cycle where its driven not by one sector like IT, but by multiple vectors moving together including AI, Semiconductors, Electronics, EVs, Quantum. Together, these sectors are expected to contribute trillions of dollars to the global economy over the next decade. India itself has set an ambitious target of achieving US$400 billion in electronics manufacturing by 2030. Equally important is the unprecedented policy momentum from both the Central and State Governments.Backed by over ₹2 lakh crore in investment, India’s policy push- spanning the Semiconductor Mission, PLI, ECMS, DLI, RDI, and the National Quantum Mission, among others-is repositioning the country from technology consumer to global manufacturing partner, with states like Karnataka driving further momentum through GCC, ESDM, and startup-focused policies. As this ecosystem evolves, regional development must follow a hub-and-spoke model built on two complementary pillars-Design & Innovation, and Manufacturing. Karnataka is uniquely positioned for this, with Bengaluru hosting 875+ Global Capability Centres, one of the world’s largest concentrations of semiconductor design talent, and a thriving startup ecosystem. ‘Beyond Bengaluru’ is therefore not about decentralizing growth—it is about multiplying Bengaluru’s strengths across Karnataka through connected, specialized ecosystems. Platforms such as Mysuru BTS play a vital role in bringing together industry, government, academia and startups to translate policy into partnerships, dialogue into investments, and investments into sustainable economic growth and high-value jobs.”
As Mysuru Big Tech Show 2026 concluded, the summit marked another important milestone in Karnataka’s Beyond Bengaluru journey, bringing together policy, industry and academia behind a shared roadmap for regional technology-led growth. From the release of landmark talent and cybersecurity reports to the launch of new skilling initiatives, Global Technology Centre commitments and industry partnerships, the outcomes reflected growing confidence in Mysuru‘s ability to emerge as a globally competitive technology hub. More importantly, the summit reinforced KDEM’s role as the strategic platform bringing government, industry and academia together to convert policy intent into coordinated action, accelerating investments, innovation and sustainable digital economic growth across Karnataka’s emerging technology clusters.