Karnataka Unveils Plan to Develop Hubballi-Dharwad-Belagavi Corridor as Next Tech Hub

The Karnataka government has reiterated its strategy to decentralize technology-driven growth beyond Bengaluru, spotlighting the Hubballi-Dharwad-Belagavi (HDB) tri-city region as the state's next premier technology and manufacturing corridor. Addressing over 700 delegates, 100 startups, and 25 venture investors at the sixth edition of "HDB Techceleration 2026" in Hubballi, Karnataka Minister for IT, BT, and E-Governance Priyank Kharge outlined a three-to-five-year roadmap aimed at expanding North Karnataka's industrial and digital ecosystem. Under the state government's "Beyond Bengaluru" policy framework, Karnataka aims to establish 35 large technology companies, 5 Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) facilities, 10 Global Capability Centres (GCCs), and 100 new startups across the HDB cluster. To support this growth, the state has set up a ₹25-crore Cluster Seed Fund dedicated to regional entrepreneurs. Infrastructure investments include the creation of 200,000 square feet of GCC workspace in Belagavi and the allocation of 224.5 acres for an Electronics Manufacturing Cluster at Kotur-Belur. Kharge emphasized that the three neighboring cities offer distinct, complementary advantages that strengthen the corridor. Hubballi possesses a vibrant software and startup base, Dharwad houses top-tier educational and research institutions like IIT Dharwad, and Belagavi features an established industrial foundation in aerospace and precision engineering. By integrating these strengths across semiconductors, AI, electric vehicles, and Industry 4.0, the government seeks to generate high-value regional employment and encourage tech investment statewide.