Government of Karnataka announced MoUs and intentions for collaboration with partner countries

The Government of Karnataka has announced 8 MoUs and intentions for collaboration with partner countries as part of the Global Innovation Alliances track, at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2020.

The countries – Finland, Netherlands, Sweden, UK, and the USA showed their intent in partnering with the Government of Karnataka in the areas of skilling, R&D, ecosystem connections, life science and biotechnology, healthcare, aerospace and defense, education, sports economy and automotive.

A dedicated track for Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) sessions has been created at Bengaluru Tech Summit for facilitating international partnerships. Countries will host technology sessions for ecosystem connections, exchange of ideas and people, and deliberations on the policy environment.

MoU 1: Karnataka and Finland

Between Center of Excellence of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI), Karnataka and Business Finland·

The MoU will focus on bi-lateral market access for startups, a joint research program for societal good, and a mutual student and faculty exchange program. The MoU will facilitate creating awareness in the fields of AI, and bringing the power of AI for agriculture, transport, health, safety, governance, service delivery, etc.·

MoU 2: Karnataka and Sweden

Between Center of Excellence for the Internet of Things, Karnataka and Swedish Incubators and Science Parks (SISP)·

The MoU will focus on bi-lateral market access to facilitate the growth of startups and build mutual industry connections.

The MoU will also help in developing ecosystem connections to communicate positive impacts of the collaboration·

The MoU will facilitate innovative applications and domain capability across sectors such as Smart City, Smart Health, Smart Manufacturing, Smart Agriculture, and others. It will also create an environment for product creation, testing and validation..·

MoU 3: Karnataka and USA (Applied Materials) (intent to collaborate)

Between Semiconductor Fabless Accelerator Lab (SFAL), Karnataka, and Applied Material Inc.

The MoU will focus on Applied Materials Inc. providing incubation and mentoring related support to SFAL startups.

The MoU will facilitate strong infrastructural support, incubate early-stage startups, accelerate the existing fabless SMEs to the next level to encourage domestic innovation, and Generate more employment in the ESDM sector·

MoU 4: Karnataka and UK (intent to collaborate)

Between Center of Excellence of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI), Karnataka and UK Deputy High Commission, Bengaluru·

The MoU will focus on providing incubation and mentoring related support.

The MoU will facilitate the creation of citizen-centric AI solutions by startups in Public Service, Education, Water, Energy, and last-mile delivery, incorporation of Data Science & AI readiness for industry professionals, students and research scholars, and Faculty Development Program for College AI skilling

MoU 5: Karnataka and Indiana (U.S.A) (intent to collaborate)

Between Karnataka Innovation Technology Society, Department of Electronics, IT, BT and S·&T Department of Commerce and Industries, and Indiana Economic Development Corporation

The MoU will focus on Automotive, including Electric, Connected, and Autonomous Transportation. It will also cover Life Sciences and Biotechnology Information, Communications Technologies, Sports Economy and Educational Cooperation·

The MoU will facilitate the creation of Medical Devices Park with world-class infrastructure, two-way investment for sectors identified, sharing of best practices to create and train a workforce to meet high- demand, and high-wage job growth created by innovation across all sectors.

MoU 6: Karnataka and Virginia (U.S.A) (intent to collaborate)

Between Karnataka Innovation Technology Society, Department of Electronics, IT, BT and S·&T Department of Commerce and Industries, and Fairfax County Economic Development Authority

The MoU will focus on the sectors of Biotechnology and healthcare, and Aerospace· & Defense.

The MoU will attract and retain business investment for identified sectors. It will also cover skilling for Karnataka students in collaboration with institutions in Fairfax County, application of drone technology for agriculture, surveillance for military and medical assistance, setting up of an incubation center in Fairfax County for providing Karnataka startups mentorship, and market entry to USA·

The state of Karnataka is a strategic partner for the Netherlands in India and the two sides enjoy strong ties in areas such as space, cybersecurity, agri-tech, healthcare, and start-ups.

The Municipality of The Hague and the Department of IT, BT, Government of Karnataka have been working together under the broad MoU that was signed between the two sides in 2016.

Taking the collaboration forward, The Hague Business Agency launched a digital soft-landing program, aimed at Indian start-ups looking for expansion into Europe, at this year’s BTS.

Through this program, 50 Indian tech-startups active in areas such as AI, cybersecurity, agriculture, healthcare, and smart cities will be selected for a digital soft landing in The Hague

MoU 7: Karnataka and The Netherlands (intent to collaborate)

Between Center of Excellence for Cybersecurity, Karnataka and Hague Security Delta·

The MoU will focus on bi-lateral market access for startups, along with joint workshops, seminars and skill up-gradation programs to build relevant skill sets of students and local professionals·

The MoU will facilitate to build of best practices, standards, and execution initiatives in the cybersecurity and privacy domain; address cybersecurity challenges to provide support to “remote working model”, and create awareness about cyber threats for citizens (students, professionals, MSMEs, etc).·

MoU 8: Karnataka and The Netherlands (intent to collaborate)

Between Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society, and Hague Business Agency·

The MoU will focus on the GIA Market Access Program (GIAMAP) which will offer support for market access and soft landing to startups by providing assistance for the sound business model and value proposition.

The MoU will facilitate the creation of India’s first sector agnostic international market access program, with a focus on multiple cities/countries.

It will also assist at least 10 Karnataka startups to enter international markets and provide international exposure to startups from cities Beyond Bengaluru.

Speaking at the event, Dr. CN Ashwath Narayan, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, and Minister for IT, BT and S&T said, “We are delighted to announce 8 MoUs with our Global Innovation Alliance partner countries today. These MoUs will be strategic institution-level collaborations to focus on further enhanced skilling, R&D, and startup collaboration.

This will provide international exposure and ecosystem connections for our entrepreneurs and industries in Karnataka. Our Centres of Excellence will be key enablers in implementing initiatives along the lines of these MoUs, and I am confident we will see many more such meaningful and impactful partnerships in the coming days.”

Dr. E.V. Ramana Reddy, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Electronics, IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka said "In the last few years, our Government has worked together with key stakeholders to establish Centres of Excellence in various emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, Internet of Things, etc.

I am delighted to see that these CoEs are parties to today's MoUs, and will work with Global Innovation Alliance partner countries to learn from each other and collaborate on a long-term, sustainable basis.

This type of international collaboration is absolutely necessary to solve the challenges that our societies face, and ensure that technology and innovation reach all our citizens"

Marco Esser, Director of The Hague & Partners said “As The Hague Business Agency we are proud to have developed the digital soft-landing program. The MoU between The Hague and Karnataka paved the way for this.

We believe that we must continue to offer Indian startups opportunities to explore the European market even in times of COVID-19.

Ultimately, this platform will help Indian startups to expand to the Netherlands and successfully integrate into our ecosystem in The Hague”.