Kalaburagi to be developed as regional start-up hub under LEAP

KALABURAGI The State government has decided to develop Kalaburagi as a major regional start-up destination under its ambitious Local Economy Accelerator Program (LEAP) initiative aimed at expanding the IT, biotechnology and start-up ecosystem beyond Bengaluru, Deputy Commissioner Ikram Shariff said here on Thursday. Addressing a media conference at the Centre of Excellence for Agri-Allied and Rural-Focused Start-ups, Mr. Shariff said that the initiative includes the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for rural innovation and agri-start-ups through the KrishiKalpa Foundation, for which an estimated grant of ₹12 crore to ₹12.5 crore has been earmarked.

“The State government is taking steps to provide start-ups with mentoring, networking opportunities and support in mobilising investments. It is also planning to establish LEAP Labs, offering modern co-working facilities near the High Court, and develop a fully equipped IT park on the outskirts of Kalaburagi,” Mr. Shariff said.

KrishiKalpa Foundation CEO C.M.