Karnataka Strengthens Its Orange Economy With Strategic Investor Connect At Bengaluru GAFX 2026

The Government of Karnataka, through the Department of Electronics, IT & BT, hosted a dedicated Investor Pitch Platform at Bengaluru GAFX 2026, creating a structured bridge between capital providers and high-potential startups across the AVGC-XR and emerging technology ecosystem.

Speaking on the initiative, Shri Priyank Kharge, Hon’ble Minister of Electronics, IT & BT and RDPR, Government of Karnataka, said: “Karnataka’s strength lies not only in talent creation but in enabling that talent to scale through capital, mentorship and global market access. Platforms like the Investor Pitch at GAFX ensure that our AVGC, AI and emerging technology startups are not just building products — they are building globally competitive enterprises. By curating high-quality deal flow and aligning it with serious investors, we are strengthening the foundation of Karnataka’s innovation economy.”

Designed to accelerate capital access and strategic partnerships, the platform enabled venture capital firms, angel investors and strategic funds to identify sector-aligned opportunities while supporting Karnataka-based startups in scaling, expansion and commercialization.

The engagement followed a focused two-stage curation model:

1. Identification of investors with demonstrated interest or active portfolio presence within the AVGC value chain and adjacent emerging technology sectors.

2. Curation of Karnataka-based startups with strong product-market fit, differentiated offerings and clearly articulated fund-raising objectives aligned to scalable business models.

This edition attracted participation from established venture capital firms and strategic investors including KRAFTON, Venturi Partners, HSBC Innovation Banking, Chimera Venture Capital, Expert Dojo and Panya Capital, among others.

Investors expressed strong interest in AVGC-focused ventures as well as AI-centric products and platforms across sectors, reflecting the growing convergence between creative technologies and deep-tech innovation.

A curated pipeline of Karnataka-based startups was consolidated under the following themes:

Clean Energy & Hardware

• chipAI IP solutions

• Modular satellite deployment systems

• SOLID-cooled Li-ion battery packs

• Portable active cooling solutions for medical and perishable goods

XR/3D Commerce & Industrial Visualization

• No-code AI-powered unified XR commerce studios enabling text/image/video-to-3D asset

creation and shoppable virtual try-ons

• VR-based design review tools for aerospace and defense

• Universal AI-driven virtual try-on solutions for fashion

Gaming & Interactive Entertainment

• AI-native creation engine SimOS with high-fidelity “Model Trains” and dynamic Lorekraft narratives

• Mobile games inspired by Indian mythology

• Roadsters Odyssey vehicular-combat game built on Unreal Engine 5.7

• Gesture-controlled drone gaming

• Micro-gaming and hyperlocal commerce platforms for metro and transit ecosystems

Media, VFX & Distribution

• End-to-end post-production studios led by internationally trained experts

• Real-time and AI-automated VFX pipelines and virtual production facilities in Bengaluru

• Hybrid studio-plus-training models equipped with LED Volume infrastructure

• OTT platforms enabling same-day global releases

• Impact-oriented content creation platforms

• Integrated music ecosystems for creators with embedded social and business engagement layers

AI SaaS & Enterprise Platforms

• AI-driven event ticketing platforms with identity verification and fraud detection

• AI-based men’s skincare tailored to Indian skin and climate conditions

• Pedagogy-first AI tutor engines focused on employability

• Ventures operating in water management, environmental solutions and trade-market access

The structured pitch sessions enabled targeted discovery and meaningful one-on-one interactions, ensuring that investor mandates were matched with high-quality, investmentready ventures.

The Investor Pitch Platform at Bengaluru GAFX 2026 further reinforces the State’s broader blueprint to transition from a service-led ecosystem to one driven by intellectual property, innovation and global competitivenessBy institutionalising structured capital discovery mechanisms within flagship industry forums, Karnataka continues to position itself as a leading destination for AVGC-XR, gaming, AI and next-generation technology investments.