
Mon Jan 19 10:30:44 UTC 2026: ## Karnataka Government Invests in Mangaluru Tech Hub to Drive Growth Beyond Bengaluru
The Story:
On January 19, 2026, the Government of Karnataka, through its Department of Electronics, IT & BT, announced a grant of ₹1.93 crore to Vertex Managed Workspace in Mangaluru. This grant is a major step in the State’s “Beyond Bengaluru” mission, aimed at fostering technology hubs in emerging cities. Officials hope this investment will catalyze employment and innovation, positioning Mangaluru as a strategic contributor to national economic growth.
Key Points:
- The grant of ₹1.93 crore is one of the largest awarded under the “Beyond Bengaluru” mission.
- Priyank Kharge, Minister for Electronics, IT & BT, emphasized the importance of backing enterprise-grade workspace platforms outside Bengaluru.
- The government aims for “Beyond Bengaluru” clusters to contribute close to 10% of the State’s digital economy within the next five years.
- Vertex Managed Workspace currently hosts over 40 companies and 2,250 workstations in Mangaluru.
- Vertex plans to expand rapidly to 6,000 seats, further solidifying Mangaluru’s position as a tech destination.
- The grant release was facilitated by Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM).
Key Takeaways:
- The Karnataka government is actively pursuing a strategy to decentralize its digital economy by investing in emerging tech hubs.
- Mangaluru is being strategically targeted as a key location for technology-driven growth.
- Public-private partnerships, facilitated by organizations like KDEM, are playing a crucial role in the success of the “Beyond Bengaluru” initiative.
- This initiative hopes to provide a fillip for other emerging tech cities to join hands with the government to create the next wave of tech clusters supporting the Beyond Bengaluru framework.
Impact Analysis:
This investment has the potential to significantly impact Karnataka’s economic landscape. By diverting resources and attention away from Bengaluru, the government aims to create a more balanced and resilient digital economy. The growth of Vertex Managed Workspace and similar hubs in Mangaluru could attract new businesses, talent, and investment to the region. The achievement of a 10% contribution to the state’s digital economy from these clusters will serve as a benchmark for measuring the overall success of the “Beyond Bengaluru” mission. The success of this approach could inspire similar initiatives in other states looking to distribute economic opportunities beyond major metropolitan areas.