Priyank Kharge Launches Tech Outreach Initiative in Karnataka

Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge launches ‘Let’s Talk Tech Karnataka’, inviting founders, researchers and industry professionals to share ideas and challenges, with the initiative recording over 1,300 social media interactions.

Karnataka Information Technology and Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge has launched the ‘Let’s Talk Tech Karnataka’ initiative to establish direct engagement with the state’s technology community and gather ideas to strengthen its technology ecosystem. Through his social media platforms, the minister has invited startup founders, researchers, industry professionals, investors and innovators to share their suggestions, challenges and perspectives on the sector's future development.

According to a statement from the minister's office on November 2, 2026, the initiative has received more than 1,300 interactions across LinkedIn and X. Participants have shared inputs on several areas, including startup support, access to research infrastructure, talent development, government-industry collaboration and opportunities in emerging technologies.

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The engagement is intended to create a platform through which stakeholders can communicate directly with the government about challenges affecting businesses, research institutions and technology professionals. Entrepreneurs and startup founders have also used the opportunity to present their products and solutions, highlight operational difficulties and explore potential partnerships with government departments.

One of the key issues raised by participants is the need for startups to gain access to research facilities, laboratories, institutional resources and opportunities to test and deploy their innovations. Contributors have also suggested that the government could play a more active role as a customer and partner by creating avenues for piloting and adopting locally developed technology solutions.

Industry stakeholders have further emphasised the importance of strengthening collaboration between universities, research institutions and companies to convert research outcomes into commercially viable products. Discussions have also covered innovation in artificial intelligence, robotics and quantum technologies, alongside the need to create stronger pathways for skill development and employment.

Kharge has been engaging with participants by acknowledging their suggestions and responding to discussions on the platforms. The minister's office said the initiative is helping bring industry concerns and emerging opportunities to the government's attention while enabling technology stakeholders to communicate their expectations directly.

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The outreach comes as Karnataka continues to strengthen its position as a technology and innovation centre. The state has been pursuing initiatives to support startups, promote advanced technology research and expand opportunities beyond Bengaluru through regional innovation and technology development programmes.

Through ‘Let’s Talk Tech Karnataka’, the government aims to gather practical inputs from people working across the technology ecosystem and identify ideas that can be taken forward through policy measures, institutional support and industry collaboration.