Event serves as a crucible for fostering collaboration, ideation and progressive networking
Bengaluru: The third edition of the India Global Innovation Connect (IGIC) 2024, which recently kicked off in Bengaluru, brought together a diverse array of global and domestic leaders to delve into discussions surrounding the facilitation of digital transformation and the nurturing of the startup ecosystem within India.
The event served as a platform for industry luminaries, including Indian and global startup founders, venture capitalists, investors, corporate and government officials, as well as technology and public policy experts, to converge and exchange insights from US, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Germany, Switzerland, France, Israel and the UAE.
Throughout the event, participants engaged in a series of enlightening keynotes and panel discussions that broached vital topics such as the appeal of India as a prime investment destination for startups, harnessing the momentum of the digital consumer revolution, charting India’s path towards becoming a key player in the global semiconductors landscape, envisioning India’s technological trajectory over the next five years, and more.
Government’s concerted efforts
Sanjeev Gupta, Chief Executive Officer of the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), emphasised Bengaluru’s growing significance as a global technology hub.
He said that Bengaluru has successfully established itself as a global technology hub.
“It is now time for the city to gain due recognition for its thriving startup and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Today 50 per cent of India’s Startups are based here in Bengaluru, Karnataka, and IGIC is a natural partner to build brand Bangalore and accelerate its position in the technology and Startup value chain.”
Claude Smadja, the Chairman of Smadja & Smadja Strategic Advisory, said that India’s advancements in deep tech, health tech, semiconductors, and aerospace technologies. He articulated that the current government administration does not require new policy frameworks but rather should concentrate on expediting existing developmental processes and amplifying ongoing initiatives.
B V Naidu, Chairman of the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), highlighted India’s exceptional journey in digitisation, boasting impressive internet penetration with over 1.1 billion individuals out of a population of 1.3 billion connected online.
Naidu underscored the government’s concerted efforts towards digital transformation, citing the staggering 15 billion UPI transactions valued at $250 billion conducted last month.
He underscored that India’s vast populace, juxtaposed with various social and urban challenges, not only presents opportunities but also harbors substantial potential for inventive technological solutions.
IGIC’s overarching mission revolves around widening the scope of technological and business interactions and fostering synergies between India’s indigenous ecosystems and several foreign counterparts.
The event seeks to identify and evaluate fresh prospects stemming from the rapid emergence of disruptive technologies and forge new collaborative business ventures to bolster innovation and growth.
