Industry growth skewed towards Bengaluru; Kalyana Karnataka needs focused push, says KKCCI President

Expressing concern over the continued regional imbalance in Karnataka’s industrial and economic development, Sharnabasappa Pappa, president of the Kalyana Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCI), said that most investments and opportunities remained concentrated around Bengaluru, Hubballi–Dharwad and Belagavi, leaving regions such as Kalaburagi and the broader Kalyana Karnataka belt behind.

Expressing concern over the continued regional imbalance in Karnataka’s industrial and economic development, Sharnabasappa Pappa, president of the Kalyana Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCI), said that most investments and opportunities remained concentrated around Bengaluru, Hubballi–Dharwad and Belagavi, leaving regions such as Kalaburagi and the broader Kalyana Karnataka belt behind.

Addressing an interactive programme organised jointly by KKCCI and TiE Hubli at the KKCCI Meeting Hall in Kalaburagi on Monday, Mr. Pappa stressed the need for balanced, inclusive and region-specific interventions to unlock the entrepreneurial and industrial potential of North Karnataka. He said that focused efforts in startups, MSMEs and technology-led enterprises were essential to ensure equitable growth across the State.

“There is an urgent need for region-specific interventions to ensure balanced growth. Kalyana Karnataka has the talent, land and the aspiration, but it needs sustained institutional support to emerge as a strong industrial and startup hub,” he said, adding that initiatives such as the TiE–KKCCI collaboration could help accelerate entrepreneurship in the region.

He thanked TiE for engaging actively with North Karnataka and announced that KKCCI members would participate in large numbers at TiEcon Hubli 2026, scheduled to be held on March 14 and 15.

KKCCI secretary Shivraj V. Inginshetty, in his address, traced the origins of the TiE movement, which was founded in 1992 in Silicon Valley by Indian entrepreneurs. He noted that TiE had since grown into a powerful global network supporting entrepreneurship, innovation, and mentoring.

Referring to local initiatives, he highlighted KKCCI’s role in strengthening the IT and startup ecosystem in Kalaburagi through projects such as the KEONICS IT Park, Elevate Kalyana Karnataka, and the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) Cluster. “Building a sustainable IT and startup ecosystem is a long-term process, and we are committed to working closely with the government and stakeholders,” he said.