In a move that could fundamentally reshape how technology is adopted in the public sector, Karnataka’s IT & BT Minister, Priyank Kharge, has unveiled a visionary policy proposal at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025. The state is crafting a groundbreaking framework that will allow deep-tech startups to pilot their advanced solutions—from AI and quantum computing to robotics and blockchain—within government departments.
The Proposal: From Pilot to Endorsement
The core of the proposal is as simple as it is powerful. As Minister Kharge stated, “We’re mulling a policy where startups can pilot with the government in a very small way – if successful, we’ll endorse the technology for wider use.”
This two-stage process is a game-changer:
- The Controlled Pilot: Startups get the invaluable opportunity to deploy their technology in a live, but contained, environment within a government department. This could be using an AI model to optimize traffic flow in a specific district, applying blockchain for transparent land record management, or deploying a robotics solution for waste management in a limited area.
- The Official Endorsement: A successful pilot doesn’t just lead to a sale; it earns an official government endorsement. This seal of approval is a monumental asset for a young startup, de-risking the technology for other state governments, private sector clients, and potential investors, thereby paving the way for rapid, statewide, or even national adoption.
Tackling the “Valley of Death” for Deep-Tech
For deep-tech startups, the path from a successful lab prototype to a commercially viable product is notoriously difficult—a phase often called the “valley of death.” Investors are hesitant to fund unproven technology, and customers are reluctant to be the first to try it.
Karnataka’s proposed policy directly bridges this chasm. By acting as the first customer and a real-world “sandbox,” the government:
- De-risks Innovation: Provides a safe environment to test, iterate, and validate the technology without the immediate pressure of a full-scale commercial rollout.
- Provides Crucial Data: Generates the performance metrics and case studies needed to attract further investment and customers.
- Solves Real Problems: Ensures that public money is spent on innovating solutions that directly improve governance, healthcare, urban planning, and citizen services.
The Larger Ecosystem: A Symphony of Support
This pilot policy is not a standalone initiative. It is a key component of a much larger, coherent strategy by the Karnataka government to dominate the deep-tech decade. This ecosystem includes:
- The Deep Tech Decade Blueprint: A comprehensive long-term vision for establishing the state as a global deep-tech hub.
- The ₹600 Crore Fund: A substantial financial war chest, which includes a dedicated ₹150 Crore AI Elevate fund, to provide direct financial support to startups.
- Six Centres of Excellence (CoEs): Establishing world-class R&D facilities in partnership with academic and industry leaders to foster collaboration and cutting-edge research.
- The ₹518 Crore Startup Policy 2025-30: With its target of 25,000 new startups (10,000 outside Bengaluru), this policy creates the broad-based entrepreneurial pipeline that will feed into the deep-tech sandbox.
Potential Impact and Real-World Applications
The potential applications of this policy are vast and transformative. Imagine:
- Healthcare: An AI startup piloting a diagnostic tool in a government primary health center to improve early disease detection.
- Agriculture: A quantum computing startup testing its models for optimizing fertilizer and water usage with the state agriculture department.
- Urban Governance: A robotics company deploying drones for monitoring infrastructure projects or managing traffic congestion in a smart city pilot.
- Administration: A blockchain startup creating a transparent and tamper-proof system for issuing certificates and licenses.
Strategic Alignment with National Ambition
This policy powerfully aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) vision. It actively fosters the creation and adoption of homegrown, cutting-edge technology to solve India’s unique challenges. By empowering Indian deep-tech startups, Karnataka is contributing directly to the nation’s technological sovereignty and positioning India’s $17 billion+ AI ecosystem for global leadership.
Conclusion: Your Government Sandbox Awaits
For founders in AI, quantum, robotics, and blockchain, this announcement is a clarion call. The most formidable potential customer—the government—is now actively inviting you to test your technology.