Blab Tech
Karnataka Prepares for Bengaluru Tech Summit 2026, Highlighting AI, Semiconductors and Startup Ecosystem
The Government of Karnataka has announced that the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) 2026 will take place in Bengaluru from 17 to 19 November at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC). The 29th edition of the event will run under the theme "AI & Beyond" and is positioned as the state’s flagship showcase of technology and innovation.
BTS 2026 is expected to host more than 1,800 exhibitors and attract roughly 25,000 delegates, including 1,000 technology startups. The summit is projected to draw over 60,000 business visitors from 75 countries and 30 Indian states and union territories. According to the event profile, the programme will feature eight thematic tracks and more than 600 global speakers across 100+ sessions covering artificial intelligence, semiconductors, healthtech, space technology, and fintech.
A central element of the summit is the Future Makers programme, designed to spotlight high‑potential startups and connect them with investors, mentors and international markets. The programme will include investor pitch sessions, one‑to‑one mentoring clinics, thematic discussions on scaling and fundraising, a Startup Showcase, and a Future Makers Conclave.
Embedded world India will be co‑located with BTS 2026 for the first time in South Asia. The embedded world brand, organised by NürnbergMesse India, will run a dedicated conference track and exhibition pavilion focused on electronics and semiconductor technologies from 17 to 19 November at BIEC.
The India edition of ChangeNOW, an event that concentrates on environmental and social solutions, will also run alongside the summit. The co‑location of these three major events is intended to create a comprehensive platform for technology, sustainability and entrepreneurship.
Prior to the summit, the state government hosted its annual CEO Breakfast Meet in Bengaluru on a Friday in 2026. The meeting brought together more than 200 technology industry leaders, including entrepreneurs, executives, investors and policymakers. Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar and IT Minister Priyank Kharge attended the breakfast.
"One of Karnataka's greatest strengths has been the trust and partnership we have built with industry," Kharge said. "The CEO Breakfast Meet embodies that relationship, bringing together government and industry not only to exchange ideas, but to jointly shape the State's technology agenda." He added, "As we announce Bengaluru Tech Summit 2026, we reaffirm our vision of building a globally connected innovation ecosystem that drives technological leadership, entrepreneurship and inclusive growth."
The CEO Breakfast Meet also marked the launch of the Innoverse Foundation, an initiative of the Government of Karnataka aimed at positioning the state as a global deep‑tech capital. The foundation will act as a catalyst by mentoring successful, revenue‑generating deep‑tech startups and helping them evolve from achieving strong product‑market fit to becoming industry leaders.
BTS is organised by the Department of IT & Biotechnology of Karnataka and is supported by national trade consortiums such as the National Association of Software and Services Companies and the Software Technology Parks of India. The event has been held annually between October and December since its inception and has grown to become Asia’s most influential technology gathering.
The summit’s focus on AI, semiconductors and sustainability aligns with Karnataka’s broader policy objectives to strengthen its technology ecosystem and attract investment. The state’s IT Minister has indicated that the government will invest ₹600 crore in deep‑tech and AI and is working with venture‑capital firms to create a joint fund of over ₹1,000 crore to support startups in these sectors.
As BTS 2026 approaches, organisers are finalising exhibitor lists, speaker line‑ups and programme schedules. The event is expected to provide a platform for startups to showcase innovations, secure funding, and access new markets, while also offering established companies opportunities to collaborate on emerging technologies.
In summary, Bengaluru Tech Summit 2026 will bring together a broad spectrum of technology stakeholders in a single venue, with a strong emphasis on AI, semiconductors, and sustainability. The summit, co‑located with embedded world India and ChangeNOW, is part of Karnataka’s strategy to reinforce its position as a global deep‑tech hub and to foster collaboration between government, industry and academia.
BTS 2026 is expected to host more than 1,800 exhibitors and attract roughly 25,000 delegates, including 1,000 technology startups. The summit is projected to draw over 60,000 business visitors from 75 countries and 30 Indian states and union territories. According to the event profile, the programme will feature eight thematic tracks and more than 600 global speakers across 100+ sessions covering artificial intelligence, semiconductors, healthtech, space technology, and fintech.
A central element of the summit is the Future Makers programme, designed to spotlight high‑potential startups and connect them with investors, mentors and international markets. The programme will include investor pitch sessions, one‑to‑one mentoring clinics, thematic discussions on scaling and fundraising, a Startup Showcase, and a Future Makers Conclave.
Embedded world India will be co‑located with BTS 2026 for the first time in South Asia. The embedded world brand, organised by NürnbergMesse India, will run a dedicated conference track and exhibition pavilion focused on electronics and semiconductor technologies from 17 to 19 November at BIEC.
The India edition of ChangeNOW, an event that concentrates on environmental and social solutions, will also run alongside the summit. The co‑location of these three major events is intended to create a comprehensive platform for technology, sustainability and entrepreneurship.
Prior to the summit, the state government hosted its annual CEO Breakfast Meet in Bengaluru on a Friday in 2026. The meeting brought together more than 200 technology industry leaders, including entrepreneurs, executives, investors and policymakers. Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar and IT Minister Priyank Kharge attended the breakfast.
"One of Karnataka's greatest strengths has been the trust and partnership we have built with industry," Kharge said. "The CEO Breakfast Meet embodies that relationship, bringing together government and industry not only to exchange ideas, but to jointly shape the State's technology agenda." He added, "As we announce Bengaluru Tech Summit 2026, we reaffirm our vision of building a globally connected innovation ecosystem that drives technological leadership, entrepreneurship and inclusive growth."
The CEO Breakfast Meet also marked the launch of the Innoverse Foundation, an initiative of the Government of Karnataka aimed at positioning the state as a global deep‑tech capital. The foundation will act as a catalyst by mentoring successful, revenue‑generating deep‑tech startups and helping them evolve from achieving strong product‑market fit to becoming industry leaders.
BTS is organised by the Department of IT & Biotechnology of Karnataka and is supported by national trade consortiums such as the National Association of Software and Services Companies and the Software Technology Parks of India. The event has been held annually between October and December since its inception and has grown to become Asia’s most influential technology gathering.
The summit’s focus on AI, semiconductors and sustainability aligns with Karnataka’s broader policy objectives to strengthen its technology ecosystem and attract investment. The state’s IT Minister has indicated that the government will invest ₹600 crore in deep‑tech and AI and is working with venture‑capital firms to create a joint fund of over ₹1,000 crore to support startups in these sectors.
As BTS 2026 approaches, organisers are finalising exhibitor lists, speaker line‑ups and programme schedules. The event is expected to provide a platform for startups to showcase innovations, secure funding, and access new markets, while also offering established companies opportunities to collaborate on emerging technologies.
In summary, Bengaluru Tech Summit 2026 will bring together a broad spectrum of technology stakeholders in a single venue, with a strong emphasis on AI, semiconductors, and sustainability. The summit, co‑located with embedded world India and ChangeNOW, is part of Karnataka’s strategy to reinforce its position as a global deep‑tech hub and to foster collaboration between government, industry and academia.
