Kalaburagi is to be developed as a regional start-up center under LEAP
Deputy Commissioner Ikram Shariff at a media conference at the Center of Excellence for Agriculture and Rural Enterprises in Kalaburagi on Thursday. | Photo credit: ARUN KULKARNI
The state government has decided to develop Kalaburagi as a major regional startup destination under its ambitious Local Economy Accelerator Program (LEAP) initiative aimed at expanding the IT, biotech and start-up ecosystem outside Bengaluru, Deputy Commissioner Ikram Shariff said here on Thursday.
Addressing a media conference at the Center of Excellence for Agriculture and Rural Startups, Mr. Shariff said that the initiative includes the establishment of a Center of Excellence for Rural Innovation and Agriculture Startups through KrishiKalpa Foundation for which an estimated grant of ₹12-12.5 million has been earmarked.
“The state government is taking steps to provide startups with mentoring, networking opportunities and support in mobilizing investment. It is also planning to set up LEAP Labs that offer modern collaboration facilities near the Supreme Court and build a fully equipped IT park in the suburbs of Kalaburagi,” Shariff said.
KrishiKalpa Foundation CEO CM Patil said the foundation will inaugurate its new incubation center premises in the heart of Kalaburagi on Saturday.
On this occasion, he will organize the first Kalyana Karnataka Start-up Dialogue-2026 on Unlocking Entrepreneurial Opportunities outside Bengaluru and showcasing the entrepreneurial potential of Kalyana Karnataka.
According to the information he provided, the day-long event will be held at the KrishiKalpa Foundation premises from 9:30 am to 6 pm.
More than 300 registered start-ups, entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists, industry leaders and politicians from seven districts of Kalyana Karnataka are expected to participate.
“A special Solveathon initiative will also be organized in collaboration with the local administration. It will provide students with an opportunity to identify practical challenges faced by government departments and develop solutions using their skills and knowledge,” said Mr. Patil.
The event is expected to be attended by top industry leaders including Chief Agri Business Officer of BigBasket Vipul Mittal, Co-Founder and Managing Director of DeHaat Adarsh Srivastava, Co-Founder and Director of BigHaat Sachin Nandwana, CEO and Director of C-CAMP Taslimarif Saiyed and CEO of KarnatakaDems Digital Economy Miss Guption (Digital Economy Karnataka.
The initiative aims to create a supportive ecosystem for young people to set up successful businesses in their home region instead of migrating to metropolitan cities in search of employment, he said.
Published – 12 Nov 2026 21:01 IST