The Information Technology and Bio Technology (IT, BT) sectors currently employ nine lakh people in the state and the state government wants to ensure that number goes up to 20 lakh by 2020, said Tanushree Deb Burma, Director, IT and BT, Government of Karnataka, on Saturday.

For this, the government has introduced several policies, a centre of excellence exclusively for animation, visual effects, gaming and comics (AVGC) and much more. The government is also looking beyond Bengaluru and intends to connect with Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, she said.

Tanushree was addressing young entrepreneurs, start-ups and students at the two-day Amrita Technology Business Incubator (TBI) Pitchfest 2015, organised by Amrita Vishwa Vidhyapeetham, Kasavanahalli, in the city.

“It is a great opportunity for me to interact with young entrepreneurs at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham. The government of Karnataka aims to make the state the largest hub in the world for IT and BT,” Tanushree said.

Krishnashree Achuthan, CEO, Technology Business Incubator, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, said, “This event has been organised to help startups with mentoring, infrastructure and funding. Over 450 applications, a few from  abroad and the rest from 13 states, were received for the event; 30 have been shortlisted. The top three who give the best ideas in technology-based business will get $1,00,000 funding from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham.”

Brahmachari Dhanraj, director, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Bengaluru, said the Amrita TBI pitches to test the best start-ups and this is possible because of the divine blessing of Amma (Mata Amritanandamayi). “Amma will be able to transform ordinary people into extraordinary persons,” said Dhanraj.

Snehal Shetty, vice-president of Amrita TBI was present. Later, Anirudh Sharma, co-head of MIT Media Lab India Initiative and other entrepreneurs held a workshop for the participants.

Cross posted from newindianexpress.com

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