The Vertex CXO Conclave 2026, hosted by Vertex Workspaces, recently convened industry leaders, policymakers, and senior executives to explore opportunities for business expansion beyond Bengaluru. The event, held at Dr TMA Pai International Convention Centre in Mangaluru, focused on positioning the city as a viable destination for enterprise and technology-led growth.
Policy Frameworks for Non-Metro Regions
Top executives from the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) and Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS) outlined policy frameworks designed to promote investment in non-metro regions. Rahul Sharanappa Sankanur, managing director of KITS, along with Samir Venugopal, Bharath Chandra BK, and Vaishak Pai from KDEM, highlighted incentives related to infrastructure, talent development, and regulatory support to encourage companies to expand beyond established urban centres.
Vertex Workspaces' Role in Business Growth
Vinayak Palanakar, CMO of Vertex Workspaces, stated that the company aims to move beyond its role as a workspace provider to actively support business growth. He emphasised that Vertex intends to play a key enabler role by assisting companies operating from its premises in seamlessly accessing government grants and incentives, while also addressing critical business challenges such as hiring and talent acquisition.
Mangaluru's Strengths and Challenges
Speakers at the conclave pointed to Mangaluru's strengths, including its strong educational base, improving infrastructure, and a growing presence of IT and global capability centres (GCCs). However, they also noted that talent retention, ecosystem maturity, and industry collaboration remain areas requiring sustained attention.
Workforce Trends and Talent Constraints
Kamal Karanth, co-founder of Xpheno, offered a perspective on workforce trends, observing that while the Mangaluru-Udupi region has a steady supply of entry- and mid-level talent, availability at senior levels continues to be a constraint. He emphasised the need for structured hiring strategies and stronger local ecosystems to address migration to larger cities.
Future Initiatives Beyond the Conclave
Gurudatta Shenoy, managing partner of Vertex Workspaces, stated that the initiative would extend beyond the conclave through leadership forums, hiring platforms, and policy engagement efforts aimed at supporting companies entering emerging markets. The conclave underscored the potential of Mangaluru as a strategic location for business expansion, with collaborative efforts needed to overcome existing challenges.
