BTS 2021 to expand reach with participation from over 30 countries

A platform called Global Innovation Alliance was launched during 2017 with an aim to tap the mammoth potential and growth of technology and innovation across the globe and also to ensure State of Karnataka is provided an opportunity to showcase its strengths as part of this global tech revolution. This platform has grown over the years with mutual projects being implemented with countries like Australia, Finland, Germany, Netherlands, Japan, Switzerland, UK among others. Cumulatively, interactions with 30+ countries have been conducted, Government of Karnataka has played host to more than 100 GIA delegations, 7 outgoing delegation visits by GoK representatives have been conducted, 30 projects with 30+ partner countries have been conducted, 10 GIA Tech Engagement Meets have been jointly organized, 1500+ Startups have benefitted and 10+ academic institutions have been engaged with GIA partners.

Even in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, constant communications were conducted with GIA partners to ensure their safety and concerns are addressed. Discussions headed by Dr. Ashwath Narayan, Minister of Information Technology, Government of Karnataka, and Dr. E V Ramana Reddy, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Electronics IT Bt and S&T, Government of Karnataka were conducted during 2020 and early 2021 to not only extend support to GIA government and industry partners present in Karnataka but to also acknowledge the support lent by them to Karnataka during the challenging pandemic times.

More than 30 countries have confirmed participation in the flagship technology conference of Government of Karnataka – Bengaluru Tech Summit 2021 which will be held virtually from 17th to 19th November 2021. A dedicated track for Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) sessions has been created at Bengaluru Tech Summit for facilitating international partnerships. Countries will host technology sessions for ecosystem connects, exchange of ideas and people, and deliberations on policy environment. Some key sessions include “Deepening India – Australia ties in ‘tech & innovation” by Australia, “Healthcare & Medical Technology” by Germany, “Digital Health in Finland: Developing AI and VR tools to support the growth of health technology businesses” by Finland among others.

Minister level delegation from key GIA partner countries throughout the three-day Summit. Hon Stuart Ayers, New South Wales Minister, Department of Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney, Prof. Andreas Pinkwart, Minister of Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalization and Energy, State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Mr. Timo Harakka, Minister of Transport and Communications, Government of Finland, Mr. Nguyen Quan, Former Minister of Science and Technology of Vietnam among others will be providing keynote remarks during the 3-day summit.

The Summit will also witness international technology experts from the various industries, who will be part of panel discussions and also participate as keynote speakers across all the tracks. Mr. Martin Schroeter, CEO, Kyndryl, Prof. Klaus Schwab, Founder and Chairman, World Economic Forum, Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee Indian- American Physician, Scientist and Writer, Priya Balasubramaniam, Vice President, Operations Apple Inc., Anant Maheshwari, President, Microsoft India, Mr. Gaven Standon, Executive Partner Ecosystem, Telstra, Mr. Gil Shwed, Founder and CEO, Checkpoint among others will be enlightening the audience with their insightful remarks on the tech and innovation ecosystem.

This year, Government of Karnataka is going to shed some light on the MoUs signed by institutions last year. Eight MoUs and intentions to collaborate were announced during BTS 2020. Amidst the pandemic, progress has been made by the institutions towards the MoUs and a way forward has been charted by both Karnataka and GIA institutions.

A new aspect of the Summit this year is the mutual virtual participation of Karnataka and Australia for BTS and Sydney Dialogue which will be conducted during the same dates (17 to 19 November 2021). This would be mutually beneficial where both countries would showcase their national capabilities and how they are shaping the public discourse on the rules and norms of emerging tech, while improving visibility of the BTS to Australian officials, business leaders, and media as well as a global audience – thus contributing to the global status of the BTS.

Another new avenue which the Summit will showcase this year is the growing relationship between India and USA. India US Tech Conclave will be held in association with US India Business Council. This programme will consist of two sessions focused on IT, Technology & Startups and Biotechnology addressed by stellar speakers from East Coast, West Coast and Mid America as well as India opening the new avenues of international cooperation in the areas of innovation and technology.

Speaking at an event on Bengaluru Tech Summit 2020 and Global Innovation Alliance (GIA), Dr. CN Ashwath Narayan, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, and Minister for IT, BT and S&T said, “With the theme, “Driving the Next” this year, BTS highlights how technology, innovation and collaboration can shape the post-pandemic world. Multi-lateral collaboration between countries can significantly catalyse development. Through the Global Innovation Alliance program, we have created a platform for all our GIA country partners and Industry stakeholders to come together and collaborate and promote innovation. Karnataka has expanded the State’s innovation ecosystem Beyond Bengaluru, and we would like to encourage and welcome all GIA partners to explore other cities in The State.”

Speaking at the event, Dr. E.V. Ramana Reddy, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Electronics, IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka said “The Bengaluru Tech Summit event has grown tremendously – from no international presence for almost a decade, to around two or three countries participating in a small scale during 2017 and now with 30+ countries and heads of State of some of our GIA partners participating – I think this says a lot about the evolution the event and Karnataka has seen. This year, the Summit will be bigger and will showcase the best innovations of not only Karnataka, but also the nation and the world. BTS 2021 is all set to further break the barriers of boundaries by bringing all stakeholders onto one forum“

Australian Consul General for South India, Ms Sarah Kirlew announced that Australian Prime Minister, The Hon Scott Morrison MP will lead Australia’s delegation to the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) from 17 to 19 November. The BTS is being held at the same time as Australia’s own global tech conference – The Sydney Dialogue – with several cross-over sessions planned. Consul General Kirlew said, “Our participation will showcase Australia’s tech and innovation credentials in pursuit of deeper trade and investment ties between our two countries. Having such a strong and senior delegation reflects the importance we place on our engagement with India on science, tech and innovation issues. Overall, our bilateral relationship has gone from strength to strength in recent years. We are looking forward to having The Sydney Dialogue sessions streamed on the BTS platform; and the opportunity to show content from the BTS to The Sydney Dialogue participants. These will cover Quad space collaboration and we will hear from the Foreign Ministers of both countries on the impact of tech on democracy.” She further added, “Reflecting the importance of Bengaluru as a technology hub, we’ve recently upgraded our trade office to be headed by an Australian diplomat. We are looking forward to engaging with a wide audience at the BTS and encourage everyone to dial into our four country sessions to hear more about Australia-India partnership opportunities.”

Speaking about the successful progression of the MoU between SFAL and NXP Semiconductors, Sanjay Gupta, Vice President and India Managing Director, NXP Semiconductors said – “It has been an excellent collaboration together with SFAL as one of the partners in the context of NXP India Tech Startup Challenge 2021. The support provided by SFAL in the context of incubating or accelerating the ESDM startups is of value generation from possibilities of ecosystem networking, funding guidance, and design tools access.”

The inauguration and opening note of the 24th edition of Bengaluru Tech Summit will be addressed by the Hon’ble Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu in the presence of Hon’ble Prime Minister of Israel, Naftali Bennett; Hon’ble Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison MP, and other Central and State level government delegates on the 17th of November’21. Bangalore Tech Summit is expected to witness a humongous participation of over 300 speakers, 5000 start-up attendees, over 300 exhibitors, more than 20,000 business attendees and overall digital reach to half a million tech enthusiasts with over 75 conference sessions. The summit will also feature multi-track exhibitions, panel discussions, Bio Partnering, poster sessions, national and global alliances, and quiz programs. CT Bureau