Karnataka Explores New Investment and Technology Partnerships with Korean Business Delegation
* From the growing popularity of K-pop, K-dramas, Korean cosmetics and other Korean products in India to business and technology, discussions highlight the deepening Korea–Karnataka connect
* Korean investors explore opportunities across technology, F&B, retail, startups and emerging sectors; Karnataka offers market access, talent and innovation partnerships
Bengaluru, October 3, 2026
A high-level business delegation from the Republic of Korea met with Priyank Kharge, Minister for Home, Information Technology, Biotechnology, and E-Governance, Government of Karnataka, at Vidhana Soudha today to explore opportunities for investment, business expansion and technology partnerships between Korea and Karnataka.
The delegation included senior representatives from DSC Investment, GS Ventures, CJ CheilJedang, CJ Investment, Capstone Partners and GTGO Inc. (GOPIZZA), among others. The meeting brought together investors, venture capital representatives and business leaders exploring opportunities across technology, food and beverage, retail, startups and other emerging sectors.
The discussions focused on strengthening Korea–Karnataka business linkages and creating practical pathways for Korean companies and investors to enter and scale in the Indian market through Karnataka.
The Korean delegation highlighted the growing interest among Korean investors in overseas markets, particularly India, as the mature Korean market presents fewer avenues for new investment. The delegation noted that while Indian businesses and the country’s growth potential are increasingly attracting attention, Korean investors would benefit from stronger institutional linkages and greater awareness of potential partners and opportunities in India.
The discussion also touched upon the growing cultural connect between Korea and India. Referring to the popularity of K-pop, K-dramas, Korean cosmetics and other Korean products in India, the Minister noted how quickly global products, services and cultural influences are adapted to the Indian market.
Speaking at the meeting, Priyank Kharge, Minister for Home, Information Technology, Biotechnology, and E-Governance, Government of Karnataka, said “Karnataka is open for business, and our proposition to global investors goes beyond technology. We have the talent, innovation ecosystem, research capabilities and market access platforms to support companies across sectors.
For Korean companies and investors, we want to build practical pathways into the Indian market through partnerships, market access, co-investment opportunities, Centres of Excellence and the Global Innovation Alliance. We would like to move from broad interest to a focused set of opportunities that can be taken forward and delivered on the ground.”
The Minister highlighted Karnataka’s deep technology ecosystem and its network of Centres of Excellence, incubators and innovation institutions across areas including AI, semiconductors, fintech, agri-tech, life sciences, aerospace, space and robotics.
He also invited the Korean delegation to identify specific sectors and opportunities of interest and offered to work with them on a focused roadmap. The Minister suggested that the delegation could share a broader “wish list” of areas, following which Karnataka could identify a smaller number of priority opportunities to begin with and take forward for implementation.
Key Areas of Discussion
* Korean investment in Karnataka: The delegation expressed interest in exploring Karnataka as a destination for Korean capital and companies seeking to expand in India, with discussions spanning technology, F&B, retail and other sectors.
* Karnataka as a gateway to India: Karnataka highlighted its ability to connect international companies with India’s talent, startup ecosystem, research institutions, industry partners and market opportunities.
* Global Innovation Alliance: The Department highlighted the Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) as a platform through which Korean startups and companies can explore market access, ecosystem partnerships, innovation programmes, co-investment opportunities and connections with local partners.
* Technology and DeepTech partnerships: Opportunities were discussed for Korean companies and investors to engage with Karnataka’s ecosystem across AI, semiconductors, robotics, life sciences, aerospace and other emerging technologies through Centres of Excellence, incubators and research partnerships.
* Market access and government partnerships: The Minister highlighted opportunities for technology companies with solutions relevant to public-sector challenges to engage with government programmes and explore Karnataka as an early market for deployment.
* Talent and skills: Karnataka highlighted its strong engineering and technology talent base and its ability to develop industry-linked skills programmes and partnerships aligned with the requirements of global companies.
* Beyond Bengaluru opportunities: Discussions also explored opportunities to connect Korean investment with Karnataka’s wider ecosystem, including through district-level skills, technology and investment linkages.
The Korean delegation highlighted the experience of Korean companies already operating in India and expressed interest in building greater awareness among Korean investors about opportunities in the country. GOPIZZA, which entered India in 2019 and has expanded its presence in the country, was cited as an example of a Korean company building and scaling its business in the Indian market.
The delegation also discussed the possibility of developing stronger Korea–Karnataka sub-national linkages, including mapping Korean provinces and their technology and skills strengths with Karnataka’s districts and their respective talent and economic capabilities.
The Minister invited the delegation to participate in Karnataka’s international innovation and technology ecosystem, including programmes under the Global Innovation Alliance and upcoming platforms such as the Bengaluru Tech Summit, providing opportunities to connect with investors, startups, companies and institutions from Karnataka and other countries.
The meeting concluded with both sides emphasising the importance of moving from broad discussions to focused, practical collaborations, with the identification of priority sectors and opportunities serving as the next step towards deeper Korea–Karnataka economic, investment and innovation partnerships
