Karnataka open to subsidising GPU access for startups through AI hub

Karnataka is exploring whether it can subsidise access to graphics processing units (GPUs) for startups through its upcoming artificial intelligence hub at IIIT Bangalore. Karnataka IT and BT Secretary N. Manjula raised the possibility at a panel on how the state can support women in tech and entrepreneurship, after a founder building industrial smart cameras asked about cheaper computing power.

GPUs speed up AI model training and testing, and rental costs can limit how often early-stage startups experiment and refine their models.

When asked whether Karnataka could offer support on top of the Centre’s IndiaAI Mission, Manjula told YourStory after the panel, "We are open to looking at it.”

The central programme gives eligible startups access to subsidised cloud computing. Manjula gave no details on the budget, eligibility criteria, or the timeline for state support.

Rising hardware costs

IIIT Bangalore Director Debabrata Das said hardware costs, particularly for memory, had risen fourfold over the past year, with GPU prices seeing the next-biggest increase. He said the AI hub was looking at giving startups access to computing resources to test ideas and develop proofs of concept.

The Karnataka Cabinet approved the AI hub in September at an estimated cost of Rs 35 crore. The hub will offer AI training and startup support, and its planned AI Living Lab will provide computing infrastructure and a place to test applications. Das said more details were expected at the Bengaluru Tech Summit, which will be held from November 17 to 19.

Women-led startups account for 30–35% of ELEVATE winners

Women-led startups account for 30–35% of the winners of Karnataka’s ELEVATE programme each year, Manjula said. She added that the state had identified about 11 technology business incubators at academic institutions outside Bengaluru as part of its efforts to support founders beyond the city.

The cost of getting to proof of concept came up during the discussion. A biotech founder said she was using her savings to generate the early evidence she needed to qualify for a funding programme.

C-CAMP CEO Taslimarif Saiyed pointed to grants and incubators that can help founders at that stage and offered to discuss what support C-CAMP could provide.

Shared space for small manufacturers

Karnataka is also looking at a parcel of land roughly an hour from the Bengaluru airport where small companies could start manufacturing before they are able to afford premises of their own, Manjula said at the panel. She said discussions were at an early stage and raised the possibility of renting out space and setting up common facilities that companies in areas such as electronics and robotics could share.

Karnataka weighs how to deploy its Rs 300 Cr deeptech fund

A committee examining how Karnataka should deploy its Rs 300 crore deeptech fund of funds has drawn up recommendations and is expected to submit them to the government shortly, Manjula told YourStory. She gave no timeline for when investments could begin.

The Rs 300 crore figure matches the allocation for a fund of funds in Karnataka’s report on its LEAP initiative. Under this model, the state can channel public money through venture capital funds that invest in startups. That can help draw in private capital and leaves investment decisions to the fund managers.