- The IT, Deeptech & Trends Track on Day 2 began with a “SpaceTech and Defence” session, The session spotlighted India’s strides in space technology and defense. Moderated by Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chairman of Axilor Ventures, the session featured an eminent panel, including Dr. S. Somanath (Chairman, ISRO), Anne Neuberger (National Security Advisor for Cyber & Emerging Technologies, USA), and Dr. B. K. Das (Director General, Electronics & Communication Systems, DRDO).The session explored India’s space programs, defense innovations, and collaborative opportunities for global leadership. Dr. Somanath detailed India’s space journey, covering milestones like the Gaganyaan Mission (crew launch planned for 2026-27), the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (first module ready by 2028, operational by 2035), and the economic potential of space applications. Anne Neuberger commended India’s space technology for disaster management and emphasized US-India collaboration in satellite development and cybersecurity.
Priyank Kharge (Hon’ble Minister, Department of IT, Bt, Panchayat Raj, and Rural Development, Government of Karnataka) introduced Karnataka’s draft Space Policy, designed to capture 50% of the national market share through initiatives like skill development, startup investment, and dedicated manufacturing units. Dr. Das highlighted DRDO’s role in fostering innovation and partnerships. The session also marked the signing of an MoU between the Karnataka Government and DRDO to support defense startups and promote shared resources, strengthening India’s space and defense ecosystem.
- In The IT, Deeptech & Trends Track, another session centered on “Making Bengaluru the GCC Capital of the World”, provided an in-depth discussion on the city’s growing prominence in the Global Capability Centre (GCC) ecosystem. Moderated by Bhaskar Verma (Regional Director, NASSCOM), the panel included industry leaders such as Pradeep Menon (MD & CEO, HSBC Technology India), Vijai Kishan (Head of Fidelity Wealth & Brokerage, Fidelity Investments), Andrea Zimmerman (SVP & President, Target India), and Milesh J (Vice President, SAP). The session explored the evolution of GCCs, Bengaluru’s critical role, and strategies for sustaining leadership in the sector.
Bhaskar Verma highlighted India’s $254 billion technology industry, with $64 billion generated by GCCs, employing 1.9 million people directly, and Karnataka contributing 30% of the nation’s GCCs. The panel discussed how GCCs have transitioned from cost centers to value creators, with Milesh emphasizing their role in driving innovation and localizing ERP solutions for Asia-Pacific markets. Vijai Kishan and Andrea Zimmerman delved into digital transformation trends such as UPI and last-mile delivery, while Pradeep Menon noted the increasing integration of Indian development centers into global hubs.
The speakers also addressed the unique capabilities of Indian GCCs, their impact on short- and long-term business goals, and the need for ongoing excellence to sustain growth. With Bengaluru already contributing significantly to India’s 188 GCCs and recording a 41% growth rate, the session reinforced the city’s position as a global leader in this transformative sector.
- In the Life Stage Track “Biotech Innovations for Wellness, Longevity & Cognitive Health in 2050” session, moderated by Prof. Deepak K. Saini, Professor of Development Biology and Genetics, Bioengineering, and Infectious Diseases Research at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), featured insights from Prof. Sanjeev Jain, Emeritus Professor at the Department of Psychiatry and Molecular Genetics Laboratory, NIMHANS; Prof. Ramray Bhat, Associate Professor at IISc; Dr. Shriram Nene, Cardiovascular Surgeon, Healthtech Innovator, and Founder of Pathfinder Health Sciences; Dr. Cathy Holloway, Professor of Interaction Design & Innovation at the Department of Computer Science, UCL, and Co-founder & Academic Director of the Global Disability Innovation Hub, UCL; and Dr. Anurag Mairal, Director of Global Outreach at the Stanford Byers Center for Biodesign, Stanford University.
Discussions centered on the impact of stress, pollution, and genetic predispositions on aging and brain health, supported by findings from studies involving 20,000 patients. With a projected 150% rise in the economic burden of age-related diseases by 2050, the panel emphasized prioritizing health span over lifespan through advancements in AI, diagnostics, biologics, and personalized medicine. The need for aging-focused innovations in India was highlighted as a challenge and opportunity, complemented by calls for holistic approaches integrating modern medicine, nutrition, technology, and exercise. Initiatives like the Bharat Aging Resilience Project and AI-driven preventive healthcare were emphasized as vital for improving health outcomes and extending wellness.
- Another Session on “Harnessing India’s Chip Design Talent” in Electronics and Semicon track at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2024, moderated by Ashok Mishra, Independent Technology Advisor, featured industry leaders including Ganapathy Subramaniam, Founding Managing Partner of Yali Capital, Navin Bishnoi, Country Head – India and AVP Central Engineering at Marvell Technology, and Gautam Kumar Singh, Co-Founder & CEO of FermionIC Design.
The panel delved into India’s growing semiconductor talent pool and its global competitiveness, with Mr. Subramaniam highlighting that India represents 20% of the global chip design workforce, hosting centers for major international companies. He also pointed out the challenge of attracting experienced professionals from multinational companies.
Navin Bishnoi noted that while global companies initially focused their India-based centers on software, a significant portion of the workforce is now involved in design activities. Gautam Kumar Singh emphasized the need for India to nurture more homegrown chip design companies to compete effectively on the global stage. The session concluded with a call for increased collaboration between the government and industry to boost India’s semiconductor competitiveness, along with recommendations for policies and schemes that would encourage local talent and players.
- In the Electro Semicon Track, a session on “Increasing India’s Value Chain in Electronic Manufacturing” brought together a distinguished panel moderated by Sanjeev Keskar, CEO of Arvind Consultancy, featuring insights from Debra (Ruth) Ercegovic, VP at Flex, Deepak Chadha, CEO of Kaynes Technology, Baskar Dhandapani, Director at Intel, and Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, CEO of Karnataka Digital Economy Mission.
The panel discussed the expansion of India’s electronics manufacturing sector, the availability of skilled labor, and government initiatives supporting industry growth. Sanjeev Keskar highlighted India’s $120 billion electronics market and its promising growth trajectory. Debra Ercegovic emphasized the sector’s potential, particularly the role of government incentives such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, enhanced infrastructure, and the reduction of bureaucratic barriers.
Deepak Chadha encouraged MSMEs and startups to leverage these opportunities, while Baskar Dhandapani stressed the importance of developing additional manufacturing hubs and expanding export opportunities. Sanjeev Kumar Gupta underlined the need for local product design and manufacturing, along with the development of a highly skilled workforce. The session concluded with a call to prioritize product manufacturing and a strong emphasis on collaboration between industry bodies and the government to fully leverage available schemes, positioning India as a global manufacturing hub.
- The session on “Established Startups Leading the Way in Bharat Market” was part of the Founders Stage at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2024. It was moderated by Harish Gadagin, COO of Anvesana, and featured an expert panel with Prasanna Kumar C, CEO of VilCart, Vittal Ramakrishna, Founder & CEO of NUCLEO, Shashi Kumar, Founder & CEO of Akshayakalpa Organic, and Yeshoda Karuturi, Co-founder & CEO of Hoovu Fresh.
The discussion focused on how established startups are driving innovation and creating opportunities in the Bharat market, with a special emphasis on rural India. The panelists shared insights on overcoming challenges in supply chain inefficiencies, introducing technological innovations in traditional markets, and empowering rural entrepreneurs. The session highlighted the increasing interest from investors in startups from smaller towns and cities and emphasized the importance of building sustainable business models that address both market needs and societal impact.
- In the IT, Deeptech, and Trends track, featured a captivating keynote by David Ewing Duncan, Contributor for Vanity Fair and Wired, and CEO of Arc Fusion. His session, titled ‘Navigating the Superconvergence of Biology, Medicine, Health, and AI,’ delved into the transformative power of superconvergence, exploring how it is rapidly evolving into super-integration. Duncan highlighted its exponentially growing potential to revolutionize industries, redefine healthcare, and reshape the future of human well-being.
- In IT, Deeptech, and Trends track, Harish Bhatt, Brand Custodian at Tata Sons Ltd, delivered a heartfelt tribute to Ratan Tata, recognizing his significant contributions to technological progress in India. Bhatt underscored Tata’s steadfast dedication to social responsibility, highlighting his visionary leadership and lasting legacy.
- In the IT, Deeptech, and Trends Track, an insightful fireside chat on ‘Technology Innovation in Public Administration’ featured Atul Satija, Founder & CEO of The/Nudge Institute, and Uma Mahadevan, Additional Chief Secretary & Development Commissioner, Government of Karnataka. They explored how governments are harnessing the power of technology to modernize and adapt. The discussion highlighted the development of chatbots for rural areas, offering immediate solutions and revolutionizing the delivery of public services to underserved communities.
- Day 2 of the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2024 was capped off by the esteemed STPI IT Exports Awards – 2024, where STPI recognized leading IT companies for their outstanding contributions to the industry. The awards celebrated companies across various categories for the 2023-24 period. Altran Technologies India Pvt. Ltd., Microland Ltd., and Standard Chartered Global Business Services Pvt. Ltd. were all honored with the High Growth in Exports – IT/ITES award. WPA World Class Service India Pvt. Ltd. received recognition for High Growth in Women Employment – ITES, while Schneider Electric IT Business (I) Pvt. Ltd. was awarded the IT Pride of Karnataka in Electronic Hardware Exports.
Other notable winners included Accenture Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Amazon Development Centre (India) Pvt. Ltd., Bosch Global Software Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Goldman Sachs Services Pvt. Ltd., Intel Technology India Pvt. Ltd., J.P. Morgan Services India Pvt. Ltd., Qualcomm India Pvt. Ltd., Samsung R&D Institute India – Bangalore Pvt. Ltd., SAP Labs India Pvt. Ltd., Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., and Vmware Software India Pvt. Ltd., all receiving the IT Pride of Karnataka award. The prestigious IT Ratna of Karnataka award was bestowed upon Infosys Ltd.. The awards ceremony, attended by Shri Priyank Kharge, Hon’ble Minister for Electronics, IT & Bt, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Government of Karnataka, along with other distinguished guests, marked a memorable and fitting conclusion to Day 2 of the summit.
