Bengaluru, Aug 2026 : Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday highlighted the growing relationship between Karnataka and the United States, emphasising Bengaluru’s emergence as a global technology and innovation hub and calling for stronger partnerships with American universities, research institutions, startups and industry.
Speaking at the inauguration of the QUANTUM exhibition at Science Gallery Bengaluru in the presence of US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, Shivakumar said Bengaluru had developed deep economic and technological links with the United States. He noted that the city is home to more than 1,000 US companies, around 80,000 American citizens and nearly 10,000 startups, supported by a technology workforce of more than one million people.
The Chief Minister said sustained cooperation between governments, academic institutions, scientists, investors, startups and established industries would be crucial for India to realise the potential of quantum technology.
He said Bengaluru already possessed a rapidly developing ecosystem of global technology companies and startups, supported by initiatives such as the Karnataka Quantum Mission. The State, he added, was also developing India’s first Quantum City at Hesaraghatta, which is envisioned as an integrated ecosystem for research and innovation in quantum technologies.
Shivakumar also highlighted initiatives being undertaken outside Bengaluru. Under the Local Economy Accelerator Program (LEAP), the Karnataka government has established a Centre of Excellence in Quantum Artificial Intelligence and Computing at IIIT Dharwad, making it the first such centre of its kind outside Bengaluru.
The Chief Minister said quantum science would increasingly influence areas such as computing, communications, healthcare and advanced manufacturing. He stressed the importance of ensuring that young people were equipped to understand and participate in these emerging technologies.
“It is our responsibility to ensure our young people can engage with these developments. That is why an institution like this matters to us,” he said.
Shivakumar praised Science Gallery Bengaluru for contributing to the State’s objective of increasing public engagement with science and congratulated Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Dr Jahnavi Phalkey and their team, along with other partners involved in establishing the institution and organising the exhibition.
Seeking greater US participation in Karnataka’s innovation and skilling ecosystem, Shivakumar called for partnerships with leading academic and technology centres across America. He said the State was working towards developing Educational, Skill and Innovation Corridors connecting Karnataka with major US innovation ecosystems.
“Our objective is simple: to connect classrooms to laboratories, laboratories to startups, and startups to global markets,” he said.
The Chief Minister said Karnataka planned to strengthen links between its universities and leading American universities and research institutions through joint research programmes, curriculum development and industry-oriented learning.
He said such partnerships would provide students with globally relevant skills while keeping them connected to Karnataka’s growing innovation ecosystem.
Karnataka is also seeking collaboration with Centres of Excellence, incubators, accelerators and research parks in major US innovation hubs, including Silicon Valley, Boston, Austin and Pittsburgh.
According to Shivakumar, these partnerships could provide Karnataka-based startups with access to international mentorship, advanced research infrastructure, venture capital networks and global markets. At the same time, American companies and innovators would gain access to Karnataka’s skilled workforce, manufacturing capabilities and vibrant startup ecosystem.
US Ambassador Sergio Gor, IT, BT and Home Minister Priyank Kharge, Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Science Gallery Bengaluru founding director Dr Jahnavi Phalkey and other dignitaries attended the event.
