On the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit, the Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka, signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with VivaTech—Europe’s leading startup and innovation event—to create a structured Europe–India innovation corridor anchored by the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS).
The LoI was signed by Shri Rahul Sharanappa Sankanur, IAS, Managing Director, Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS) and Director, Department of Electronics, IT, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, on behalf of the Government of Karnataka. Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Biotechnology and Rural Development Shri Priyank Kharge and Dr Manjula N., IAS, Secretary to Government, were present at the signing.
The partnership reflects a shared vision between BTS and VivaTech to deepen collaboration across startups, corporates, investors, and public stakeholders in India, France, and Europe. The agreement establishes a framework for structured engagement aimed at expanding global market access, strengthening investor networks, and enabling enterprise partnerships for Karnataka’s growing startup ecosystem.
Key Areas of Collaboration
Under the proposed framework, the two sides will work together on:
- Startup and delegation exchange: Facilitating participation of Karnataka startups at VivaTech Paris and reciprocal European engagement at the Bengaluru Tech Summit.
- Joint thematic programming: Collaboration across priority sectors including AI, ClimateTech, DeepTech, Gaming, Semiconductors, and emerging technologies.
- Corporate and investor connect platforms: co-hosted innovation challenges, enterprise matchmaking initiatives, and venture capital engagement.
- Ecosystem promotion: Joint branding initiatives and structured regional participation across flagship innovation events.
- Long-term partnership development: Identification of scalable innovation programmes and pathways toward formal Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
The VivaTech delegation included François Bitouzet, Managing Director; Julie Lamandé, Head of Public Affairs; Perrine Courtier, Head of Tech Business; Zo Randriamahazaka, Asian Partnerships Manager; and Milan Crolot, Global Business Developer.
Speaking at the signing, Shri Priyank Kharge said the collaboration would help Karnataka startups access European markets while strengthening long-term technology partnerships between France and Bengaluru, particularly in the context of the India–France Year of Innovation 2026.
Dr Manjula N. noted that the LoI moves the engagement beyond event-level participation to a more structured ecosystem-driven collaboration, enabling deeper institutional partnerships and long-term programmes for startups, investors, and industry stakeholders.
Representatives from VivaTech highlighted the platform’s rapid growth—with over 14,000 startups participating last year—and described Bengaluru as a key gateway to India’s technology ecosystem. The collaboration is expected to further strengthen the global positioning of the Bengaluru Tech Summit while opening new pathways for European startups and enterprises to engage with Karnataka’s fast-growing innovation landscape.