Karnataka Government Partners with FICCI FLO to Bolster Women Entrepreneurship and Manufacturing

In a significant move to foster inclusive economic growth, the Karnataka government, through its Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS), officially entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with FICCI FLO Bengaluru and the FLO Bengaluru Industrial Park Association. The core objective of this collaboration, formalized on August 3, 2026, is to provide robust support for women entrepreneurs across the state's burgeoning startup ecosystem and its manufacturing sector. The partnership is designed to dismantle traditional barriers faced by women founders by enhancing their access to a wide array of resources. This includes improved connectivity to various government programs, such as the ELEVATE grant scheme, crucial mentorship opportunities, vital funding avenues, and stronger industry linkages. Furthermore, the initiative will facilitate access to manufacturing infrastructure, simplify the process for statutory approvals, and offer support for patent reimbursement and capacity-building programs, enabling women-led enterprises to innovate, scale, and compete globally from Karnataka. Manjula, Secretary of the Department of Electronics, IT, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, emphasized the department's consistent efforts to cultivate a supportive environment for women entrepreneurs, stating that this collaboration will further strengthen the ecosystem by connecting women founders with essential expertise and market opportunities. This strategic alliance highlights the state's commitment to building a more inclusive and industry-ready pipeline for women in technology and manufacturing.