*Karnataka Signs MoU with INQ Innovation Global to Build*
*Technology and Innovation Bridge with New South Wales*
*Partnership to strengthen global market access for Karnataka startups, deepen investor and*
*industry linkages, and accelerate collaboration in DeepTech and emerging technologies*
*Bengaluru, September 04, 2026*
The Department of Electronics, Information Technology and Biotechnology, Government of Karnataka, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with INQ Innovation Global Pty Ltd, Australia, to strengthen collaboration in technology, innovation, startups, research and investment, with a particular focus on connecting the innovation ecosystems of Karnataka and New South Wales.
Priyank Kharge, Minister for Electronics, IT & Biotechnology, Government of Karnataka Dr. N. Manjula, IAS, Secretary to Government, Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka; Dr. Avinash Menon Rajendran, IAS, Managing Director, Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS); Irfan Malik, CEO and MD, INQ Innovation; Vijetha Shashtry, Global Advisor, INQ Innovation Global Australia; Mahmood Dhannani, Australia Multilateral Foundation for Impact & Trade (AMFIT); and Anjana Mahesh, Chief Business Evangelist & Head of Strategic Partnerships, Zoho Australia & New Zealand were present at the signing
The partnership seeks to create structured pathways for Karnataka startups and technology companies to access global markets, investors, industry networks and innovation ecosystems in Australia, while facilitating greater engagement between the two ecosystems.
The MoU positions the collaboration as a Technology & Innovation Bridge connecting Karnataka and New South Wales, with cooperation across startup mobility, market access, emerging technologies, academic and research partnerships, institutional linkages, and investor and venture capital connectivity.
INQ Innovation Global Pty Ltd is an Australia-based innovation ecosystem enabler supporting scale-up programmes and facilitating engagement across startup, technology, investor, academic, research, industry and government ecosystems, including through the proposed Australia-India Tech Innovation Bridge initiative.
Speaking on the partnership, Shri Priyank Kharge, Minister for Electronics, IT & Biotechnology, Government of Karnataka, said “Karnataka’s next phase of growth will be defined by how effectively we connect our startups, innovators and research institutions to global markets and capital. This partnership with INQ Innovation Global creates an important bridge between Karnataka and New South Wales, opening pathways for our startups to access new markets, investors, expertise and strategic partnerships. Our objective is to ensure that Karnataka’s innovation ecosystem is not only among the strongest in India, but is deeply integrated with leading global innovation ecosystems. We want these partnerships to translate into real opportunities for our startups and solutions to real-world challenges.”
*Creating Global Pathways for Karnataka Startups*
A key focus will be supporting startups from Karnataka and New South Wales seeking to explore or deepen market engagement in each other’s jurisdictions.
*The collaboration will include:*
* Supporting startup market exploration and entry pathways
* Providing mentorship, expert guidance and ecosystem navigation
* Facilitating connections with industry, investors, institutions and government
* Creating networking opportunities through meetings, workshops, conferences and ecosystem events
* Enabling collaboration between incubators, accelerators and innovation hubs
* Exploring physical and virtual soft-landing models, including access to coworking and ecosystem infrastructure
* Developing programme-based linkages between startup and accelerator ecosystems
The partnership is also moving towards structured startup cohorts and market immersion programmes, with an initial cohort of companies from Karnataka expected to explore the Australian ecosystem as part of the next phase of engagement.
*Focus on DeepTech and Emerging Technologies*
The collaboration will focus on high-potential sectors including DeepTech and Artificial Intelligence, Health and Medical Technology, Agricultural and Clean Technology, Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Defence and Aerospace, Quantum Computing and Digital Infrastructure, and AVGC-XR and Gaming. Areas of interest include applied AI and AI infrastructure, digital health and diagnostics, precision agriculture and clean energy, biomedical research, advanced materials, quantum technologies, next-generation connectivity, and immersive and creative technologies.
Existing linkages in medtech, biotech, clean technology, energy technology, AI and quantum will provide a foundation for deeper engagement between startups, industry and research institutions.
*Strengthening Academia, Research and Industry Connections*
The initiative will also connect universities, research institutions, companies, startups and R&D professionals across Karnataka and New South Wales. This will include opportunities for joint research, skill development, research commercialisation, capacity building and industry-academia partnerships, supported by workshops, seminars and knowledge-sharing programmes. Greater interaction between students, researchers, entrepreneurs and technology professionals will help strengthen talent and innovation linkages between the two ecosystems.
*Connecting Karnataka Startups with Global Capital*
The two ecosystems will also work to strengthen investor and venture capital connectivity, including curated introductions, deal-flow sharing, investor roundtables and pitch events. This will create opportunities for eligible Karnataka startups, including those from relevant state-supported programmes, to connect with investors in Australia and explore global scale-up opportunities. Potential co-investment structures may also be explored, subject to applicable laws and separate agreements.
*From MoU to Implementation*
The focus will now be on translating the MoU into concrete programmes and outcomes, with the two sides working towards a roadmap covering startup cohorts, soft-landing opportunities, sector-specific initiatives, investor engagement and institutional partnerships. Ecosystem and industry partners will support these programmes with market access, mentorship, technology expertise and commercial connections. Specific programmes and implementation arrangements will be taken forward through mutually agreed initiatives, subject to applicable approvals and laws.
