Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah said on Tuesday that Bengaluru is not just leading India’s software revolution but is also at the forefront of deep technologies that will define the 21st century.
Speaking at the inauguration of SAP Labs India’s 41-acre Innovation Park in Devanahalli, he highlighted Bengaluru’s dominance in quantum computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and Industry 4.0—areas where the city outshines others.
“From being India’s IT capital, Bengaluru has evolved into the nation’s Knowledge Capital, AI Capital, and even Quantum Capital,” Siddaramaiah said. “Today’s event is not just about opening a campus—it marks a new chapter in Karnataka’s journey as India’s undisputed technology and innovation powerhouse.”
The CM emphasised that SAP’s investment symbolises global trust in Karnataka’s capabilities, credibility, and commitment to excellence. He noted that the state contributes over 8% to India’s gross domestic product (GDP) and leads in information technology (IT) exports (35% share), housing 40% of India’s electronics and research and development (R&D) exports, 500+ global capability centres (GCCs), and 18,000+ startups—including 40% of India’s unicorns, a number that keeps growing.
“Karnataka pioneered India’s first startup policy, and we’re building on that legacy with initiatives like Beyond Bengaluru, the GCC Policy, and Emerging Technology Centres of Excellence,” he added.
Devanahalli: Karnataka’s next growth hub
The CM praised SAP’s choice of Devanahalli, strategically located near the Kempegowda International Airport, as a future epicentre of innovation and growth. The state-of-the-art campus, designed to accommodate 15,000 professionals, will bolster Karnataka’s position as India’s innovation workforce engine, he said
“Since 1998, SAP Labs India—headquartered in Bengaluru—has grown into SAP’s largest R&D hub outside Germany, a testament to our state’s global innovation leadership,” Siddaramaiah said.
To support this growth, the government is fast-tracking the Airport Metro Line and suburban rail connectivity by 2029, ensuring balanced, decentralised development beyond Bengaluru’s core, he added.
A Rs 2,500 crore World Bank-backed initiative is also upgrading first-grade colleges, R&D infrastructure, and Centres of Excellence to cultivate a skilled, future-ready workforce.
Empowering MSMEs
The CM highlighted Karnataka’s partnership with SAP in digital governance, smart cities, skilling, and sustainability, noting the potential of SAP’s Startup Studio to empower MSMEs and enhance public services with cutting-edge tech.
He also commended the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Karnataka and Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya—signed in the presence of SAP Labs India—to develop industry-ready talent in logistics and emerging technologies. Another milestone was the collaboration between SAP Labs India and Germany’s Technical University of Munich.
The event was attended by IT/BT minister Priyank Kharge, German Ambassador Philipp Ackermann, SAP leadership members Gerhard Oswald and Thomas Saueressig, and SAP Labs India MD Sindhu Gangadharan.
Speaking at the inauguration of SAP Labs India’s 41-acre Innovation Park in Devanahalli, he highlighted Bengaluru’s dominance in quantum computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and Industry 4.0—areas where the city outshines others.
“From being India’s IT capital, Bengaluru has evolved into the nation’s Knowledge Capital, AI Capital, and even Quantum Capital,” Siddaramaiah said. “Today’s event is not just about opening a campus—it marks a new chapter in Karnataka’s journey as India’s undisputed technology and innovation powerhouse.”
The CM emphasised that SAP’s investment symbolises global trust in Karnataka’s capabilities, credibility, and commitment to excellence. He noted that the state contributes over 8% to India’s gross domestic product (GDP) and leads in information technology (IT) exports (35% share), housing 40% of India’s electronics and research and development (R&D) exports, 500+ global capability centres (GCCs), and 18,000+ startups—including 40% of India’s unicorns, a number that keeps growing.
“Karnataka pioneered India’s first startup policy, and we’re building on that legacy with initiatives like Beyond Bengaluru, the GCC Policy, and Emerging Technology Centres of Excellence,” he added.
Devanahalli: Karnataka’s next growth hub
The CM praised SAP’s choice of Devanahalli, strategically located near the Kempegowda International Airport, as a future epicentre of innovation and growth. The state-of-the-art campus, designed to accommodate 15,000 professionals, will bolster Karnataka’s position as India’s innovation workforce engine, he said
“Since 1998, SAP Labs India—headquartered in Bengaluru—has grown into SAP’s largest R&D hub outside Germany, a testament to our state’s global innovation leadership,” Siddaramaiah said.
To support this growth, the government is fast-tracking the Airport Metro Line and suburban rail connectivity by 2029, ensuring balanced, decentralised development beyond Bengaluru’s core, he added.
A Rs 2,500 crore World Bank-backed initiative is also upgrading first-grade colleges, R&D infrastructure, and Centres of Excellence to cultivate a skilled, future-ready workforce.
Empowering MSMEs
The CM highlighted Karnataka’s partnership with SAP in digital governance, smart cities, skilling, and sustainability, noting the potential of SAP’s Startup Studio to empower MSMEs and enhance public services with cutting-edge tech.
He also commended the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Karnataka and Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya—signed in the presence of SAP Labs India—to develop industry-ready talent in logistics and emerging technologies. Another milestone was the collaboration between SAP Labs India and Germany’s Technical University of Munich.
The event was attended by IT/BT minister Priyank Kharge, German Ambassador Philipp Ackermann, SAP leadership members Gerhard Oswald and Thomas Saueressig, and SAP Labs India MD Sindhu Gangadharan.
