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Mangaluru to Host Sixth Technovanza, Aiming to Cement Silicon Beach Vision
Mangaluru will host the sixth edition of its flagship technology conference, Technovanza 2026, on September 23 at the Dr T M A Pai International Convention Centre. The event, organised by the Department of Electronics, Information Technology and Biotechnology and the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), is a key component of the state’s Beyond Bengaluru initiative, which seeks to decentralise technology growth away from the capital.
Organisers say the conference will bring together more than 600 delegates, 150 start‑ups, 40 global speakers, 50 global capability centres (GCCs) and over 20 investors. The programme is designed to showcase how Mangaluru’s cluster is evolving into a technology, knowledge and innovation hub, and to advance the vision of a Silicon Beach along Karnataka’s coast.
The day‑long agenda will feature panels on emerging technologies, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, investment, the Electronics and Software Development Mission (ESDM), data centres and talent supply. Sessions will also highlight new investments, product and intellectual‑property launches, the rise of start‑ups, talent expansion and industry collaborations within the region, reflecting the KDEM’s strategy to build a diversified digital economy beyond Bengaluru.
KDEM, established in 2020, aims to contribute 40 percent to Karnataka’s GDP by 2025 and to position the state as a global technology destination. The Beyond Bengaluru programme, under which Technovanza is held, targets cities such as Mysuru, Hubballi and Mangaluru to create a network of innovation clusters that complement Bengaluru’s ecosystem.
Mangaluru’s role in the coastal technology ecosystem has grown in recent years. The city, which hosts India’s seventh‑largest container port and a major export hub for coffee and cashew, has attracted significant IT and data‑centre investment. The presence of 50 GCCs and 20 investors at the event underscores the growing interest in the region’s talent pool and infrastructure. According to organisers, 150 start‑ups will present solutions focused on data analytics, artificial intelligence and sustainable technology, with the aim of connecting them to investors, partners and customers.
The Dr T M A Pai International Convention Centre, owned by the Manipal Academy of Higher Education, is one of the largest convention facilities in India. Its 16,730‑square‑metre space, seating for more than 4,000 people, and multiple conference halls and exhibition areas allow for simultaneous sessions and networking events. The centre’s location on MG Road places it within easy reach of the city’s business district and transport links, making it an ideal venue for a national and international gathering.
Beyond the immediate networking opportunities, the conference is part of a broader strategy to attract talent and investment to the region. KDEM has announced incentives for technology firms, including tax breaks and streamlined regulatory processes. The event’s focus on talent supply and workforce development aligns with these incentives, aiming to create a pipeline of skilled professionals for the growing tech sector.
As the conference approaches, stakeholders are monitoring the outcomes for signals on future investment flows and partnership opportunities. KDEM has indicated that the event will be a key milestone in its broader strategy to contribute 40 percent to the state’s GDP by 2025. While the event’s immediate impact on investment and talent pipelines remains to be seen, the gathering of global speakers, GCCs and investors is expected to generate momentum for the city’s technology sector in the months ahead.
Organisers say the conference will bring together more than 600 delegates, 150 start‑ups, 40 global speakers, 50 global capability centres (GCCs) and over 20 investors. The programme is designed to showcase how Mangaluru’s cluster is evolving into a technology, knowledge and innovation hub, and to advance the vision of a Silicon Beach along Karnataka’s coast.
The day‑long agenda will feature panels on emerging technologies, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, investment, the Electronics and Software Development Mission (ESDM), data centres and talent supply. Sessions will also highlight new investments, product and intellectual‑property launches, the rise of start‑ups, talent expansion and industry collaborations within the region, reflecting the KDEM’s strategy to build a diversified digital economy beyond Bengaluru.
KDEM, established in 2020, aims to contribute 40 percent to Karnataka’s GDP by 2025 and to position the state as a global technology destination. The Beyond Bengaluru programme, under which Technovanza is held, targets cities such as Mysuru, Hubballi and Mangaluru to create a network of innovation clusters that complement Bengaluru’s ecosystem.
Mangaluru’s role in the coastal technology ecosystem has grown in recent years. The city, which hosts India’s seventh‑largest container port and a major export hub for coffee and cashew, has attracted significant IT and data‑centre investment. The presence of 50 GCCs and 20 investors at the event underscores the growing interest in the region’s talent pool and infrastructure. According to organisers, 150 start‑ups will present solutions focused on data analytics, artificial intelligence and sustainable technology, with the aim of connecting them to investors, partners and customers.
The Dr T M A Pai International Convention Centre, owned by the Manipal Academy of Higher Education, is one of the largest convention facilities in India. Its 16,730‑square‑metre space, seating for more than 4,000 people, and multiple conference halls and exhibition areas allow for simultaneous sessions and networking events. The centre’s location on MG Road places it within easy reach of the city’s business district and transport links, making it an ideal venue for a national and international gathering.
Beyond the immediate networking opportunities, the conference is part of a broader strategy to attract talent and investment to the region. KDEM has announced incentives for technology firms, including tax breaks and streamlined regulatory processes. The event’s focus on talent supply and workforce development aligns with these incentives, aiming to create a pipeline of skilled professionals for the growing tech sector.
As the conference approaches, stakeholders are monitoring the outcomes for signals on future investment flows and partnership opportunities. KDEM has indicated that the event will be a key milestone in its broader strategy to contribute 40 percent to the state’s GDP by 2025. While the event’s immediate impact on investment and talent pipelines remains to be seen, the gathering of global speakers, GCCs and investors is expected to generate momentum for the city’s technology sector in the months ahead.
