Industry Leaders Push for Faster Collaboration at TiECon Mangaluru 2026
Industry leaders and government officials gathered at TiECon Mangaluru 2026 this week. They called for stronger and faster collaboration between industry stakeholders and the state government. The goal is to accelerate job creation, infrastructure development, and global investment in emerging technology hubs beyond Bengaluru.
Recalling Early Success of Karnataka's IT Policy
Former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai spoke during a panel discussion. He recalled Karnataka's first IT policy from the late 1990s. Pai said early success stemmed from industry engaging the government on equal terms. The focus was on public outcomes rather than special favors.
Pai stressed that governments can move with startup-like speed. This requires committed political and administrative leadership. Clear goals and persistent follow-through from industry are also essential.
Continuous Engagement and Building Mangaluru's Brand
Pai urged local ecosystem leaders to maintain continuous engagement. They should regularly meet with ministers, secretaries, MLAs, and MPs. He emphasized the importance of building a strong external brand for Mangaluru.
Perseverance is important, Pai noted. Governments juggle multiple priorities every day. He suggested spotlighting local entrepreneurs as role models. This can attract policymakers and investors.
Put out banners of those local entrepreneurs rather than ours, Pai said. He also called for balanced growth across startups, mid-sized firms, and large companies. Large employers act as training engines. They seed talent into the wider ecosystem.
Setting Ambitious Targets and Coordinated Action
Pai highlighted the need for an ambitious employment growth target by 2030. Coordinated action on real estate, connectivity, and investment readiness is crucial. This will help achieve these goals.
Karnataka's Long-Standing Partnership Model
BV Naidu, chairman of the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission, also spoke at the event. Naidu highlighted Karnataka's long-standing industry-government partnership model. He noted that Bengaluru had just 13 companies in 1992.
Speakers pointed to the state's cluster-based approach. This spreads growth into smaller towns. They concluded that the next phase requires a small, empowered group of local leaders.
These leaders must consolidate demands and drive execution with clear timelines. The panel discussion was titled 'Can government think like a startup? speed, scale and accountability in building innovation ecosystem'. Madan Padaki, founder and CEO of 1Bridge, moderated the session.
The event underscored a shared vision. Faster collaboration can unlock Mangaluru's potential as a technology hub. Industry and government must work together with urgency and focus.
