‘Startups will continue to grow and so will the gig economy’

How has the Bengaluru tech event been received, and what do you hope to achieve from it?

The idea is to strengthen, promote, celebrate and inspire while showcasing the talent and growth that we have achieved throughout the year. We have received an overwhelming response with over 5,000 delegates, 350 speakers and 575 exhibitions, of which 350 are startups apart from over 200 foreign delegates.

What is the broad outlook for Karnataka given that you handle multiple portfolios?

The 21st century is knowledge based and depends on quality education. Hence, we need a very talented workforce to ensure that everyone gets an opportunity to contribute to the development of the country. We are inspired by our PM Narendra Modi and are trying to take forward his vision. For example, in the light of the New Education Policy (NEP), we are digitizing the entire higher education system. Integrated University and College Management System integrates and integrates the functioning and governance of all colleges and public universities in the state, ensures uniformity and integrates general and technical higher education institutions to centralize data availability on higher education at the grassroots level Does We have partnered with bodies like NASSCOM for non-technical skills and with companies like Infosys Springboard (a digital literacy platform including digital learning solutions, gamification, live classes, industry certification, maker’s lab and carrier guidance) to enhance employee skills. Also collaborated with ,

How is the government’s ‘Beyond Bengaluru’ campaign progressing?

In the digital economy, we need to grow, especially in the post-Covid era. Many employees are working virtually from home. The establishment of ‘Beyond Bengaluru’ is helping them reach and retain talent. The Cluster Seed Fund (in which the government puts in 25%, and the rest is funded by the private sector) is meant to mentor and facilitate entrepreneurship. Startups can now get 2-10 Crore without any collateral – Around 750 startups have benefitted from this program so far. We have three clusters – Mysuru, Hubli-Belgaum-Dharwad and Mangaluru. Earlier we used to recruit 1-2 people from outside the city; Now 40% are hired from outside Bengaluru.

What is your take on the edtech sector like startups and tech layoffs?

Startups will continue to grow, and so will the gig economy. Even as they are laying off employees, most startups are also hiring. I believe those who have been laid off will be scooped up by new age companies. Startups will continue to transform India.

Even though Bengaluru is billed as the Silicon Valley of India, it has to contend with potholed roads, chaotic traffic and erratic power supply. your thoughts

Fully acknowledging the limitations, we are giving top priority to public transport. Metro service is being extended to 250 km and we are implementing suburban railway. The first phase of the metro has been completed. After this, the whole of Bengaluru will be covered by the Metro. We also have a Peripheral Ring Road, 50% of which is complete. In addition, we are building satellite and interlinking roads. We are trying to decongest the roads with the help of smart technologies (such as Internet of Things and artificial intelligence).

Are you still excited about Global Competence Centers (GCCs) of MNCs?

GCC was introduced keeping in mind the cost reduction; Now they are hotbeds of innovation with lots of intellectual properties (IPs) and product enhancements. All these have helped multinational companies to expand these centres.