Coastal Karnataka is set to take center stage in India's innovation landscape as Mangaluru prepares to host a major startup conclave on National Startup Day. The event, TiECon Mangaluru 2026, aims to transform the region's perception into a premier destination for investment and technological innovation.
Spotlight on Silicon Beach: A Gathering of Minds
Scheduled for January 16 at the Dr TMA Pai International Convention Centre, the conclave is supported by the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) and the Silicon Beach Programme (SBP). It expects to draw a powerful audience of over 500 delegates, including entrepreneurs, investors, corporate leaders, policymakers, and innovators from across India and abroad.
The core objective is to highlight the burgeoning potential of coastal Karnataka, now being branded as 'Silicon Beach'. The event will put a spotlight on 30 of the region's most promising startups, curated for potential investors and high-net-worth individuals.
High-Profile Participation and Regional Ambition
The speaker lineup features an impressive roster of leaders. Key figures include Priyank Kharge, Minister of IT and BT; Capt Brijesh Chowta, Dakshina Kannada MP; S Krishnan, Secretary of MeitY; and Manjula N, IT and BT Secretary. Industry stalwarts like Prashanth Prakash from Accel India, Mohandas Pai of 3one4Capital, Romal Shetty from Deloitte South Asia, and entrepreneur-actor Suniel Shetty will also share their insights.
Rohit Bhat, Founding President of TiE Mangaluru, outlined the chapter's rapid journey since its establishment in April 2023. "Our vision was to galvanize the startup ecosystem in the Mangaluru-Udupi-Manipal region," he stated. The results have been significant: over 40 startup-focused programs conducted, reaching more than 400 entrepreneurs, and building a member base of 130-plus founders who collectively employ over 20,000 people.
Bhat highlighted the region's strong early traction, citing over 15 angel investors and three recent tech exits valued collectively above USD 250 million. The long-term vision is ambitious: to enable 4,000 startups by 2034, with at least five unicorns emerging from the region.
Building a Top Innovation Hub
Prashanth Rao Aroor, Chair of the TiECon Organising Committee, emphasized the event's strategic purpose. "We have a great line-up of speakers and ecosystem builders. We intend to learn from them and make our region one of the top innovation hubs in this decade," he said. The curated showcase of 30 startups is designed to give investors a firsthand experience of the innovation brewing on the 'Silicon Beach of India'.
The event enjoys robust institutional support. DBS Bank is the banking partner. Platinum sponsors include Niveus Solutions (part of NTT Data), Featherlite, and Neo Wealth Partners. Diamond sponsors are Nuvama Private, Karnataka Bank, Vertex Workspace, and Peninsula Del Mar, with The Avatar Hotel serving as the hospitality partner.
With such concentrated effort and high-level backing, TiECon Mangaluru 2026 is poised to be a pivotal moment, accelerating coastal Karnataka's journey from a scenic coastline to a dynamic coast of ideas and enterprise.
