Bengaluru Tech Summit 2023: "Breaking Boundaries" -Innovation from India, Impact for the World

Bengaluru Tech Summit 2023, organised by Department of IT, Bt, Government of Karnataka and Software Technology Parks of India, Bengaluru is one such a place where the pulse of global innovation beats strong, and boundaries are not just pushed but shattered. This year's theme, 'Breaking Boundaries,' sets the stage for a dynamic convergence of tech leaders, startups, investors, and research labs from 30+ countries.
 
Briefing the media today,  Priyank Kharge, Minister for Information Technology & Biotechnology and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, Govt. of Karnataka shared exciting updates on the much-anticipated Tech Summit.

26th Bengaluru Tech Summit is set to open with the inauguration by  Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister of Karnataka, in the august presence of  D.K. Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, and a distinguished gathering of dignitaries including;  M B Patil, Minister for Large & Medium Industries, Govt. of Karnataka;  N S Boseraju, Hon’ble Minister of Science & Technology, Minor Irrigation, Govt. of Karnataka; Vandita Sharma, IAS, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Karnataka; Dr. Ekroop Caur, Secretary to Government, Dept. of Electronics, IT, Bt and S&T, Govt. of Karnataka; Shailendra Tyagi, Director, STPI- Bengaluru; and Darshan H.V., Managing Director - Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS), Dept. of Electronics, IT, Bt and S&T, Govt. of Karnataka."

The spectacular inauguration will also feature international dignitaries such as Bagdat Mussin, Minister of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan; Mark Papermaster, EVP & CTO of AMD; a recorded message from Sari Multala, Minister of Science and Culture of Finland; and a recorded message from Volker Wissing, Minister of Digital Affairs and Transport of Germany.

Adding to the grandeur, the event will host key figures from the Indian industry, including Rishad Premji, Executive Chairman of Wipro Limited; Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairperson, Vision Group on Biotechnology, Govt. of Karnataka, and Executive Chairperson of Biocon Ltd.; Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chairman, Vision Group on IT, Govt. of Karnataka, and Co-founder of Infosys; Prashanth Prakash, Chairman, Vision Group on Startups, Govt. of Karnataka, and Founding partner of Accel Partners India; Nivruti Rai, Managing Director and CEO of Invest India; BV Naidu, Chairman, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission; and Arvind Kumar, Director General of Software Technology Parks of India (STPI).

 
Bengaluru Tech Summit 2023 will feature a diverse and enriching Event Spectrum, encompassing a Multi-Track Conference on IT & Electronics, Deep Tech, Start-Ups & Biotech, an International Exhibition, Global Innovation Alliance, India-USA Tech Conclave, R&D-Lab2Market, B2B Meetings, STPI IT Export Awards, Smart Bio Awards, VC Awards, ATF Awards, Rural IT Quiz, Bio Quiz and Bio Posters.

An exclusive Fireside Chat, 'Legend, Legacy & Leadership,' featuring N.R. Narayana Murthy, Founder of Infosys, in conversation with Shri Nikhil Kamath, Co-founder of Zerodha. promising a deep dive into the legendary journey and leadership principles that have shaped the tech landscape. BTS 2023 will have another interesting Fireside Chat featuring Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India. In an insightful conversation, he will be joined by Jaya Jagadish, Country Head and Senior Vice President of Silicon Design Engineering at AMD India, offering a unique perspective on the intersection of government initiatives and cutting-edge technology in India.

Some of the Key Dignitaries and Speakers addressing year’s BTS include Dr. R.A. Mashelkar, Former Director General, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR); Nobel Laureate & American Biologist Dr. H. Robert Horvitz; among others.

The ITE & Deeptech Track will have some interesting sessions like Opportunities for GCCs, AI, Technology for Sustainability, Future Mobility, Cybersecurity & Cyberwarfare, 5G adoption and future wireless technologies, Electronics & Semiconductors,        Spacetech, Web 3.0, Animation, Gaming & VFX.  The Biotech Track will have sessions focusing on areas like Biotechnology for a Fossil Carbon-free Future, Synthetic Biology, Sustainable Food & Agri-Systems, preventing tomorrow’s Illnesses and Keeping Epidemics at Bay, Investment in Biotech, Skill Development, Policy & Regulators and the Future Forward.  The Start-up Track will include sessions like Digital Public Goods, Idea to IPO, Emerging Tech, Fintech, Agritech 4.0, Bharat Opportunity, and Startup India. Large delegations from the Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) Partner nations are expected to participate in the event. The GIA track in the Conference will have around 17 engaging sessions curated by the partner nations & regions, including Australia, Finland, Netherlands, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, United Kingdom, France, Israel, Poland, Austria, Germany and NRW, Japan, Switzerland, Lithuania and EU. Senator Franziska Giffey, Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises, Berlin; Dr. Stephan Keller, Mayor of Düsseldorf, Germany; Victor Fedeli, Minister of Economy, Job Creation and Trade, Ontario, Canada will be addressing in the GIA Sessions. Further ministerial-led delegations are to be announced in due course. Various Tech Nations will also showcase their tech prowess in the Exhibition, adding to the event's vibrant international presence. 

The third edition of India-USA Tech Conclave will be a significant part of BTS 2023 and will aim at creating a meaningful dialogue between the two nations. The conclave will focus on enabling future innovations, thought exchange and creating strong collaborations through session focusing on Commercial Space, e-Commerce, Supply Chain & Logistics, Healthtech, AVGC and so on. The Conclave will be inaugurated by the US Consul General Christopher Hodges, Alexander Slater, Managing Director, U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC), and the Minister Priyank Kharge on November 29, between 03.00 PM to 03.50 PM.

The highlight of this year's Bengaluru Tech Summit is the Chandrayaan 3 ISRO-Industry Pavilion, symbolizing India's significant presence in space exploration. The pavilion not only showcases ISRO's remarkable achievements but also emphasizes the crucial contributions of SMEs, startups, and private industries in ensuring the success of the Chandrayaan-3 Mission. For the first time, a 1:1 scale model of Chandrayaan 3 Lander will be on display. Also, in a specially erected geodesic dome, using AR/VR technology, an immersive experience is created to learn about lunar missions, space science, and technology behind Chandrayaan. Visitors can engage with simulations for a fun and enriching learning experience.

Green BTS- this year, Bengaluru Tech Summit has taken a significant stride by committing to achieve Net Zero in the upcoming years. This ambitious goal involves integrating eco-conscious practices in procurement to minimize waste generation and establishing a Sustainability Advisory for various stakeholders. The focus on key pillars such as carbon, water, energy, waste, food, and experience underscores BTS's commitment to sustainability—a pioneering initiative and the first of its kind event in India.

BTS Exhibition- the tech marketplace will include Country Pavilions, IT & Biotech Majors, Unicorns, Start-Ups, R&D Labs, Educational Institutes. Experience the prowess of India's research and development with institutions like DRDO, ICMR, CDAC, BIRAC, IIAP, IIIT-B, and NRDC participating in this technological extravaganza. Rub shoulders with industry giants like Kyndryl, Infosys, Bosch, Microsoft Startup, Cashfree, Builder AI, Biocon and many more, creating unprecedented opportunities for collaboration. A showcase from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, that displays their tech prowess and Expo Pavilions like STPI, ABLE, ELCIA, TiE Bangalore, i-BIOM, BBC, and Voice Consortium will offer the tech disruptions of their members and clusters. Startups will again be at the center stage showcasing the technologies that will deliver immersive experience in the diverse sectors like Healthtech, Edutech, Agritech, Mobility, e-Commerce, Rural Technologies and more.

The summit promises over 75 sessions, 400+ speakers, 350+ startups, 600+ exhibitors, and 20,000+ business attendees—setting the stage for an unparalleled exploration of innovation and collaboration.

The dates for the next two editions were also announced- November 19-21 in both 2024 and 2025. The early announcement of these dates will encourage international tech organizations to plan their participation well in advance. This is a testament to Karnataka’s continued commitment to the growth of the sector, while transcending national & international boundaries through collaborations.