The HDB region is becoming a technology and advanced manufacturing hub, says KDEM CEO

Delegates at the sixth edition of the two-day HDB (Hubballi-Dharwad-Belagavi) Techceleration 2026, in Hubballi on Thursday. | Photo credit: KIRAN BAKALE

The sixth edition of the two-day Hubballi-Dharwad-Belagavi (HDB) Techceleration 2026, organized under the state’s Beyond Bengaluru Mission, which began in Hubballi on Thursday, brought together over 700 delegates, 100 start-ups and 25 investors.

At the inaugural session, KDEM CEO Sanjeev Kumar Gupta said the region had reached an “important inflection point” with a growing base of industries, start-ups, talent and institutional capabilities.

Mr. Gupta said that there are currently 158 IT companies and more than 800 start-ups recognized by the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in the region. According to him, 38 companies have sought to set up operations in the region while government support of ₹56 crore has been given for centers of excellence and an IT park spread over 24 acres. The presence of Japanese investment and opportunities associated with aerospace companies such as Airbus and Boeing, along with the operation of technology company iMerit, indicate growing interest in the region, he said.

“We are now focused on execution, onboarding new companies, strengthening the IT and start-up ecosystem and converting our 25,000 talent annually into industry-ready jobs,” said Mr Gupta. The two-day summit focuses on advanced manufacturing, electronics, deep technology, artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, start-ups, MSME skills and innovation. The summit also discussed the region’s potential to develop capabilities in engineering, design, embedded systems, semiconductors and electric vehicle supply chains.

Industry representatives called for more corporate participation and closer collaboration between industry and educational institutions to sustain the growth of the region.

Venkatesh Patil, chief industrial anchor for Belagavi and managing director of Belgaum Oxygen, said the HDB region has evolved into a cluster bringing together industry, academia and government institutions in Hubballi, Dharwad and Belagavi.

He said start-ups from Bengaluru, Gujarat and other parts of the country are increasingly participating in schemes like HDB BLUE, while technology, aerospace and advanced manufacturing companies are showing interest in the region.

He said initiatives such as roadshows in India, Europe and the US helped highlight HDB as a potential investment and innovation destination. However, sustained growth would require more industry participation, he said.

Santosh Huralikoppi, Chief Industrial Anchor for Hubballi and Managing Director and CEO of NS Infotech also spoke.

The summit featured fireside chats, panel discussions and industry-led sessions on strengthening the regional technology and advanced manufacturing ecosystem.

Published – 03 Sep 2026 22:48 IST