Bengaluru start-ups have attracted a whopping $38 billion worth of venture capital (VC) funds between 2020 and 2024, signaling strong investor confidence, IT & BT Minister Priyank Kharge said.
Despite the global meltdown, Karnataka-based startups have raised $1.7 billion in funding in the first half of 2025, the most of any state, Mr. Kharge told a group of 50 VCs that visited the city on Wednesday.
“It is the result of the joint efforts of our entrepreneurs, investors and the government,” said the minister.
Bengaluru and Karnataka were uniquely positioned to lead the next wave of technology, innovation and investment, and the role of the VC community would be extremely crucial, Mr. Kharge said. “Your participation, presence and mentorship can make a tangible difference to the next generation of AI and Deep-Tech Innovation entrepreneurs,” Mr. Kharge told the VC players.
According to the minister, the state has become one of the most dynamic start-up ecosystems in the world over the past few years. Last year, the Ministry of Electronics, IT, BT and Science and Technology launched the Investor Connect program to create a dynamic platform for start-ups to directly engage with leading investors and present their innovative ideas that benefit both start-ups and investors. This year, the state government received 134 start-up applications from 27 different sectors, reflecting the depth and vibrancy of Karnataka’s innovation ecosystem.
According to the Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2025, Bengaluru has climbed seven places in the Global Start-up Ecosystem rankings and is now ranked 14th globally in AI and Big Data. India ranks sixth globally in deep tech ecosystems and nurtures more than 3,600 deep tech start-ups, with the majority based in Karnataka.
N. Manjula, Secretary, Department of Electronics, IT, BT and Science & Technology said, “Over the years, we have seen the startup ecosystem and virtual customer community become strong pillars of the Bengaluru Tech Summit. Here, virtual professionals can engage with startups not only for investment but also for mentoring and innovation support.”
Published – 29 Oct 2025 23:34 IST
