The Department of Electronics, IT and BT on Monday unveiled a ₹1,000-crore Local Economy Accelerator Programme (LEAP) to drive innovation across the State.
The programme is designed to catalyse innovation, create 5 lakh jobs, and build robust start-up ecosystems and also to build equitable economic growth across the State, beyond Bengaluru, said Priyank Kharge, Minister for Electronics, IT & BT, and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj.
According to the Minister, LEAP is conceived as the primary engine to unlock the untapped potential in clusters like Mysuru-Chamarajanagar, Mangaluru-Udupi, Hubballi-Belagavi-Dharwad, Tumakuru, Kalaburagi, and Shivamogga, aimed at transforming them into self-sustaining and globally competitive innovation hubs.
“LEAP is our commitment to ensuring that the fruits of innovation are shared across Karnataka. While Bengaluru is a global powerhouse, the State’s true potential will be unlocked when we empower entrepreneurs in Mysuru, Hubballi, and Kalaburagi,’‘ Mr. Kharge said, calling it “an investment in a balanced, equitable, and resilient economic future.”
Ekroop Caur, Secretary, Department of Electronics, IT, BT, and S&T, said the LEAP initiative was a meticulously designed framework that provided end-to-end support for innovators across the State.
LEAP is structured around 16 strategic sub-programmes including Karnataka Startup Foundry (to foster an entrepreneurial mindset from the ground up), Creation of Fund of Funds (to establish a self-sustaining venture capital ecosystem), among others.
Published – September 23, 2025 01:06 am IST
