In a major boost to the visibility of Belagavi’s growing tech ecosystem, Dr. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Science & Technology (DST), interacted with members of the Belgaum Technology Companies Association (BeTCA) at a high-energy meetup hosted at Vayavya Labs.
BeTCA — a collective of homegrown tech entrepreneurs — is fast becoming the voice of Belagavi’s innovation scene, and this event marked a significant milestone in its efforts to tell the world: “We exist — and we’re building the future from here.”
Over 30 startup founders and technology leaders gathered for the exclusive session with Dr. Karandikar, who also serves as Professor of Electrical Engineering at IIT Bombay and was formerly the Director of IIT Kanpur — a powerhouse figure in Indian science and innovation.
The gathering began with a warm and insightful welcome by Parag Naik, Co-founder and CEO of Saankhya Labs, who introduced Dr. Karandikar to the BeTCA community. Naik highlighted the importance of bridging grassroots innovation with national-level support systems, setting the tone for a forward-looking conversation.
Showcasing Belagavi’s Tech Muscle
The meetup served as a showcase of the region’s engineering prowess, as eight member startups demonstrated their deep-tech innovations:
- Sarus Aerospace – Developing indigenous drone solutions
- AKXA – Platforms for data monitoring, control, and optimization
- Deltasys E Forming – Advanced 3D printing machinery made in India
- Vayavya Labs – Pioneers in embedded software and silicon-system engineering
- AnexGate – Secure, reliable networking solutions for enterprise needs
- Outofbox Cloud – Democratizing cloud infrastructure for small businesses
- Rivot Motors – High-performance EV powertrain development
- Ezolar – Making renewable energy assets smarter and more efficient
Each startup represented a step toward BeTCA’s vision of making Belagavi a tech and innovation hub that matters — not just in Karnataka, but nationally.
A Dialogue on Innovation-Led Growth
Dr. Karandikar engaged in a candid Q&A, offering insights into DST’s strategy for supporting startup-led innovation.
He spoke in detail about the Government’s ₹1 lakh crore RDI Scheme, recently approved to unlock large-scale private investments in research, innovation, and product development. The initiative, he noted, will enable low-interest financing for deep-tech startups to accelerate commercialization.
The discussion also touched upon the NIDHI initiative (National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations), designed to build robust support systems for early-stage startups in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities — a perfect fit for Belagavi’s emerging ecosystem.
Symbolic and Sincere
In a heartfelt closing gesture, Mr. RK Patil, CEO and Co-Founder of Vayavya Labs and one of BeTCA’s key visionaries, presented Dr. Karandikar with a plant and a book — a token of gratitude for his visit and encouragement.
Why This Matters
While Bengaluru and Hyderabad grab national headlines, Belagavi is quietly carving out its space — thanks to committed technologists, manufacturers-turned-innovators, and returning engineers who’ve chosen their hometown to build global tech products.
BeTCA’s message is loud and clear: Innovation isn’t a metro monopoly. With the right support, cities like Belagavi can contribute meaningfully to India’s tech growth story.
And as this landmark interaction with the DST Secretary proves, Delhi is listening.