Suresh Bhojraj, Director, Division of Technical Education, JSS Science and Technology University, JSS Mahavidyapeeta and others at a press conference in Mysuru on December 13. | Photo credit: MA Sriram
Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering–Science & Technology Entrepreneurs Park (SJCE–STEP), one of the first technology business incubators in the country, is celebrating its 40th anniversary – a milestone that celebrates Mysuru’s rise as a major hub for innovation, deep-tech entrepreneurship and technology-based economic development.
Established on 13 December 1985 with the support of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India and JSS Mahavidyapeetha, SJCE-STEP began as an experiment in educating technologists and innovators. Four decades later, it stands as an institution that has shaped many startups, accelerated industrial growth and helped establish Mysuru as an innovation destination outside Bengaluru, the incubator said.
Speaking at a press conference here on December 13, Suresh Bhojraj, Director, Division of Technical Education, JSS Science and Technology University (STU), JSS Mahavidyapeetha, said STEP has been connecting education and business for four decades and will drive future-ready talent and research connectivity.
AN Santosh Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, JSS STU highlighted the growing integration between research, industry and startup ecosystems, while Dhanraj, Registrar, JSS STU highlighted the institution’s growing global partnerships. Nataraju, Director of SJCE, emphasized that innovation in universities is essential to foster creativity and drive economic growth. Manjunath Aradhya, Dean (Research), JSS STU, expressed the need to work on quantum computing, semiconductor translation and natural language.
On the occasion of its 40th anniversary, TBI 2.0, a center for innovation in deep technology and next-generation AI, comes with an investment of over ₹ 10 crore. The K-TECH Common Infrastructure Facility (CIF), which is supported by the Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology and Science and Technology, Government of Karnataka in collaboration with the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission, is coming up, says a SJCE-STEP press release.
The campus is also coming up with a 200m² JSS Innovation and Research Park designed to scale R&D, innovation, testing and commercialization for startups and budding entrepreneurs. “These initiatives reflect the vision to support more than a thousand startups in the coming years,” he added.
Shivashankar B., CEO of SJCE-STEP, reaffirmed commitment to deep technology, artificial intelligence, sustainability, semiconductors and global collaboration. “Our vision is to bring technology to the public to bridge the digital divide and solve rural problems through innovation and rural incubation,” the release added.
She also explained that SJCE-STEP proposed to build another 1000+ startups for Viksit Bharat, promote women-led entrepreneurship, build global research partnerships and establish Mysuru as a competitive destination for deep technology investments.
Published – 13 Dec 2025 19:02 IST
