Celebrate Return Of Karavalli’s Iconic AquaFest At Vivanta, Residency Road, Bengaluru

Karavalli at Vivanta Bengaluru, Residency Road, is bringing back its much-celebrated AquaFest, an annual seafood extravaganza, from November 16th to 30th, 2025. A tribute to India’s vibrant coastal belt, this edition promises a delectable journey through the traditional flavours of Mangalore, Coorg, Kerala, and Goa.

Karavalli has been known for bringing new recipes sourced from various regions. Through meticulous research and thoughtful planning these dishes are replicated with a passion to offer new flavours and aromas to our patrons. Guests can indulge in an à la carte menu featuring over fifteen varied seafood creations alongside Karavalli’s signature coastal classics. Highlights include Tiger Prawns with Coriander and Saffron (Cameron Cilantro), Pomfret Recheado, Octopus Chilli Fry, Bhatkal Seafood Biryani, and more — each prepared using age-old recipes, authentic spices, and regional ingredients sourced from their original origins.

Set amid cascading greenery and warm coastal charm, Karavalli’s West Coast Seafood Grill adds to the experience, allowing guests to interact with chefs and witness fresh catches cooked over wood and charcoal fires.

Dates: November 16–30, 2025
Timings: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM & 7:30 PM – 11:30 PM
Venue: Karavalli, Vivanta Bengaluru, Residency Road
Meal Period: Lunch & Dinner
Pricing: À la carte

Savour the spirit of the coast this November as AquaFest 2025 returns to celebrate the flavours, aromas, and traditions of India’s western shoreline at Karavalli.

Meghalaya Concludes Another Grand Cherry Blossom Festival, Marks A New High For India’s Concert Economy & Cultural Tourism Landscape

~The Script, Jason Derulo, Aqua, Diplo, Tyga, Nora Fatehi and key global artists electrify Shillong’s biggest autumn celebration ~

~ A moving tribute to late icon Zubeen Garg unites thousands in an emotional finale ~

Meghalaya’s iconic Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival 2025, the centrepiece of the State’s autumn cultural calendar and one of India’s most visually spectacular festivals, concluded with overwhelming public participation, star-powered performances, and an impressive showcase of the region’s cultural and creative dynamism. Over two days, thousands of visitors from across India and abroad gathered in Shillong to experience a celebration that blended global superstars with deep-rooted local artistry, reaffirming Meghalaya’s arrival on the national stage as a prime destination for music tourism, cultural experiences, and nature-led travel.

The festival was inaugurated by Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma, who articulated the State’s long-term vision to build Cherry Blossom Festival into one of the most defining cultural celebrations in India. Addressing the packed Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, he said, “This is one of the biggest festivals in the entire country. With your help, we will make it the biggest and the best and that is the target that we have. Festivals like these are truly important for our tourism sector. We’ll be working much harder in the future to ensure that our tourists get even better experience.” His remarks set the tone for a festival that not only dazzled audiences but also showcased Meghalaya’s larger strategy of nurturing a strong concert economy backed by local talent, global collaborations and community participation.

Nora Fatehi, The Script, Jason Derulo, Aqua and Diplo Light Up India’s Autumn Capital

Day 1 began with a surge of energy as Nora Fatehi took over the stage with her signature performance style, bringing her electrifying flair to the festival’s opening night. The atmosphere rose to a new high when Irish rock icons The Script delivered their chart-topping hits, moving seamlessly from the anthemic “Superheroes” to an emotional moment where frontman Danny O’Donoghue performed with a fan onstage. As the night progressed, international pop sensation Jason Derulo, accompanied by Les Twins, transformed the stadium into a massive wave of music and light through synced LED wristbands that made the audience part of the spectacle. Day 2 continued the momentum as Danish pop legends Aqua turned the venue into a vibrant dance party with infectious nostalgia, setting the stage for a grand closing performance by three-time Grammy winner Diplo, who powered Shillong into an ecstatic finale with his signature global electronic sound.

An Emotional Chorus for Zubeen Garg Resonates Across the Stadium

One of the festival’s most powerful moments came during the moving tribute to the late icon Zubeen Garg, whose legacy continues to define the musical spirit of the Northeast. The performance of “Mayabini” by Zublee Baruah, Prabin Borah, Priyanka Bharali and Arupjyoti Baruah brought the entire stadium together in a shared moment of remembrance, with thousands singing in unison. The tribute stood out not only for its emotional weight but also for symbolising how deeply Meghalaya’s festivals are intertwined with the cultural heartbeat of the region and the enduring contributions of artists who shaped its musical identity.

Beyond the main arena, Shillong came alive with multiple cultural experiences that added depth to the festival. A key highlight was the Japan Arena at the iconic Ward’s Lake, which returned for the second year as an immersive celebration of Japanese culture. As Japan’s Sakura traditions found a natural autumn parallel in Meghalaya’s landscape, the arena hosted Sumi-e and Shodo demonstrations, origami workshops, cosplay theatre, anime-led language sessions by the Japan Foundation, discussions on creative economy and visual storytelling, culinary showcases by Chef Santosh, and musical performances by Meghalaya-born artist Amo Daring. Visitors experienced a rare cultural convergence that reinforced the festival’s international appeal and Meghalaya’s evolving global collaborations.

The festival also mirrored the success of the CM Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project (MGMP), a pioneering model that nurtures local artists, provides structured pathways for growth, and unites emerging regional musicians with global icons on the same stage. Over the years, the Cherry Blossom Festival has welcomed artists such as Akon, Clean Bandit, Ne-Yo, Boney M, and this year’s roster added Jason Derulo, Tyga, Aqua and Diplo to its growing list. By creating a strong concert economy supported by tourism, talent development and world-class event infrastructure, Meghalaya continues to position itself as one of India’s most innovative cultural destinations.

This year’s festival also arrived at a time when Meghalaya’s tourism sector is experiencing remarkable growth. With more than 1.6 million visitors recorded in FY 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic figures, and tourism contributing 7.7 percent to the State’s Gross Value Added, Meghalaya is rapidly gaining national attention as a nature-driven and culture-rich destination. The government’s commitment to sustainable tourism through the CM Homestay Mission, the Prime Tourism Vehicle Scheme, the Tourist Buddies programme and the multilingual OneConnect helpline has made travel more accessible, community-led and visitor-friendly. With over 300 tourist sites, more than a thousand waterfalls, India’s cleanest river at Dawki, the world’s longest sandstone cave, and living root bridges found nowhere else in the world, Meghalaya continues to strengthen its identity as the leading eco-tourism destination of the Northeast.

As the final beats faded and the cherry blossom–draped city returned to its natural rhythm, the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival 2025 stood out not only as a two-day celebration of music and culture but as a defining statement of Meghalaya’s ambition to become a global cultural hub. From world-renowned performers to heartfelt local tributes, and from international cultural exchanges to the vibrancy of its tourism offerings, the festival reaffirmed Meghalaya’s place at the forefront of India’s cultural and tourism map, inspiring travellers, music lovers and storytellers across the country.

Bengaluru Hosts Shiprocket SHIVIR 2025 Inaugural Edition: Unlocking AI Power And KPMG’s Latest Commerce Trends

● Robust Growth Drives Direct-to-Consumer Market Towards the Landmark $100 Billion Milestone, Expanding Footprint of Indian Brands

● Quick Commerce Emerges as a $5 Billion National Phenomenon with Rapid Consumer Adoption

Shiprocket, India’s leading ecommerce enablement platform, hosted the inaugural Bengaluru edition of its flagship summit, SHIVIR 2025, today at The Ritz-Carlton. Centred on the theme ‘Bharat 2.0: AI, Tech & The Future of Intelligent Commerce,’ this edition marks Shiprocket’s strategic expansion into southern India—positioning Bengaluru as a pivotal hub for future-ready commerce and digital innovation.

As part of the event, Shiprocket in partnership with KPMG India unveiled a new report that highlights Bengaluru’s central role in shaping India’s commerce and technology landscape. Recognised as the country’s startup capital, the city reflects a powerful convergence of AI adoption, quick commerce growth, and deep digital engagement. Its dynamic tech ecosystem and digitally savvy consumers continue to accelerate India’s $125 billion retail economy.

“In today’s rapidly evolving commerce landscape, true innovation is about more than just technology, it’s about empowering every entrepreneur, big or small, in every corner of the country, to seize new opportunities and build sustainable growth. The Shiprocket-KPMG report captures the remarkable momentum driven by AI and digital adoption across India, with Bangalore standing out as a vibrant epicenter of creativity and technological advancement. It highlights how intelligent commerce is no longer a distant vision but a present reality, transforming the way businesses operate from inventory management to personalized customer experiences. At Shiprocket, we are committed to democratizing the complex and delivering smart, accessible tools that enable sellers everywhere, not just to keep pace, but to lead confidently in this new age of AI-powered commerce.” said Saahil Goel, MD & CEO of Shiprocket.

Key Insights from the Shiprocket–KPMG Report:

Digital Transformation Accelerates in Bharat

● India’s internet users reached 969 million by March 2025, growing 9% year-on-year.

● Rural India accounts for 488 million users (55% of total).

● Growth driven by expanded internet penetration is fueling retail innovation.

Explosive Growth of the Direct-to-Consumer Market

● D2C market grew from $11.6 billion in 2016 to $80 billion in 2024.

● Expected to cross $100 billion by 2025.

● Over 11,000 active D2C brands driving innovation and consumer choice

AI is Revolutionizing Commerce

● Demand forecasting accuracy exceeds 90%, reducing stockouts by 40% and excess inventory by 25%.

● Warehouse automation delivers up to 99.9% order accuracy and cuts operational costs by 20%.

● Personalized marketing boosts sales for 96% of marketers, with 44% seeing significant uplift.

● AI-enabled vernacular commerce impacts 98% of India's internet users accessing regional languages.

Quick Commerce Establishes National Footprint

● Quick commerce market projected to grow 75-85% in 2025, reaching $5 billion GMV.

● 53% of users place more than five monthly orders on quick commerce platforms.

● 6-8% of sales are impulse purchases.

● Daily online shopping penetration jumped from 33% to 87%

Rural Digital Revolution

● Rural internet users represent 55% of total internet users.

● Women make up 47% of internet users, signaling improved gender parity.

● Traditional kirana stores are adopting digital platforms, creating hybrid "phygital" retail models

India’s Advanced Digital Payments Ecosystem

● UPI accounts for 84% of retail digital payment volume.

● UPI transactions grew 59.2% year-over-year in FY 2024-25, totaling 11,761 crore.

● Despite digital growth, 105 million Indians continue to prefer Cash-on-Delivery

Enterprise AI Adoption Leading Globally

● 59% of Indian enterprises with 1,000+ employees have deployed AI.

● 70% of companies allocate over 5% of their IT budget to AI initiatives.

● AI talent concentration grew 263% between 2016 and 2023.

The Three Pillars of Intelligent Commerce

● Omnichannel Integration: 77% of shoppers use both online and offline channels

● Personalized Experiences: 81% of consumers prefer brands offering personalized experiences.

● AI-Led Operations: AI drives inventory, marketing, and customer support operations.

Market Outlook and Growth Projections

● D2C Market: $100 billion by 2025 with over 11,000 brands.

● Quick Commerce: $5 billion GMV with 75-85% projected growth.

● E-Retail Market: Estimated at $125 billion with 220 million online shoppers.

● Warehouse Automation: Market anticipated to reach $2 billion annually by 2026.

This structured summary synthesizes the key findings of the Shiprocket-KPMG report, showcasing India’s commerce transformation driven by AI, digital inclusivity, and evolving consumer behavior.

In line with the report, Shiprocket showcased its AI-powered Tech Stack through live demos at SHIVIR Bengaluru 2025, highlighting tools designed to simplify commerce operations for sellers. Shiprocket Copilot, a multilingual voice-enabled assistant, enables merchants to manage shipments and track orders through natural conversations. Trends AI provides real-time insights by responding to data-driven queries on product performance and demand patterns. Radar offers end-to-end supply chain visibility and flags stressed zones to support smarter courier decisions. Sense Voice APIs deliver seamless speech-to-text and text-to-speech capabilities, strengthening multilingual voice interactions. Additionally, the One Logistics Gateway API unifies multiple logistics services into a single, streamlined platform. Together, these innovations demonstrate how Shiprocket is enabling entrepreneurs to automate logistics, optimise operations, and elevate customer experiences.

About Shiprocket:

Shiprocket Limited, India’s leading eCommerce enablement platform on a mission to empower the businesses of Bharat to scale their ventures by unleashing the true power of eCommerce. The platform supports sellers at every step of their digital growth journey, creating a seamless operating system. With a robust stack of technology integrations, Shiprocket enables shipping, fulfilment, customer communication, marketing tools, and commerce infrastructure for MSMEs, D2C brands, and social commerce retailers across India.

About KPMG in India:

KPMG entities in India are professional services firm(s). These Indian member firms are affiliated with KPMG International Limited. KPMG was established in India in August 1993. Our professionals leverage a global network of firms and are well-versed in local laws, regulations, markets, and competition. KPMG has offices across India in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Noida, Pune, Vadodara and Vijayawada. KPMG entities in India offer services to national and international clients across sectors. We strive to provide rapid, performance-based, industry-focused and technology-enabled services, which reflect a shared knowledge of global and local industries and our experience of the Indian business environment.

Uber and Sulabh International Team Upto Improve Sanitation Access For Drivers In Bengaluru

Enhancing driver wellbeing through safe sanitation and accessible public facilities

Uber, India’s leading ridesharing platform, and Sulabh International, a pioneer in sanitation and social reform, have come together on World Toilet Day to provide free access to clean and safe public toilets, promoting hygiene and comfort for Uber drivers.

The partnership will enable Uber drivers to use Sulabh operated public toilets free of charge across nine cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Jaipur, Lucknow, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad. The initiative is aimed at improving hygiene and wellbeing for those who spend long hours on the road, reinforcing both organizations’ shared commitment to dignity, inclusion and public health, while supporting the broader objectives of the Swachh Bharat Mission.

Uber drivers can avail this benefit by presenting their Uber registration ID on the driver app at Sulabh operated facilities. All locations are maintained by Sulabh to ensure cleanliness, regular upkeep, and the availability of essential sanitation supplies. Recognizing the unique needs of women drivers, 50 Sulabh toilet complexes will also be equipped with sanitary pad vending machines and incinerators, enabling access to free sanitary products and proper waste disposal.

Commenting on the partnership, Amit Deshpande, Head, City Operations, Uber India and South Asia, said, “For drivers who spend much of their day on the road, access to clean and safe sanitation is a basic yet critical need. Our collaboration with Sulabh International reflects Uber’s continued effort to improve everyday work conditions for drivers, while contributing to the Swachh Bharat Mission.”

Kumar Dilip, President, Sulabh International, said, “We appreciate Uber’s effort to prioritise the dignity and comfort of drivers on its platform. Sulabh has always worked to make sanitation accessible and inclusive, and through this initiative, we are extending these essential facilities to millions of drivers on the Uber platform across key cities. This collaboration supports better hygiene, greater convenience, and contributes to a healthier, more dignified workforce.”

This partnership highlights the power of collective action between technology and social innovation by bringing together Uber’s reach and Sulabh’s expertise to make access to sanitation a basic right, not a privilege, for those who keep India moving.

About Uber

We started operations in India in 2013 with a simple promise: press a button, get a ride. More than a decade and over 3 billion trips later, we continue to build products to help people get where they need to be. Today, Uber is available across 125 cities in India and has become #IndiaKiRide where people can go where they have to on Bike, Auto, Cars and even Buses - designed for their various intracity and intercity travel needs. With just a swipe on the app we make mobility seamless for millions and have helped over 1,400,000 Indians earn a sustainable income by getting in the driver's seat. We continue to reimagine the way the world moves for the better in ever expanding ways and remain committed to keep India Moving Forward.

Amazon India To Create 25 Food Gardens In Schools, Further Investing In Nutrition Support For Children In Karnataka

Amazon India today announced a new collaboration with ICLEI South Asia to establish 25 urban food gardens in schools in Karnataka by 2027, expanding its nutrition initiatives that have already supported 250,000 school children across the state. This new program builds on Amazon's ongoing investments in nutrition and will address food security, drive digital inclusion, operational excellence, and sustainability — directly improving the lives of underprivileged children.

Through the collaboration, Amazon contributed $1 million through its Right Now Climate Fund to ICLEI South Asia to establish 75 urban food gardens by 2028 in schools across Bangalore, Delhi, and Kolkata. These gardens provide students with hands-on experience growing fresh vegetables while learning about sustainability. Early pilots in Bangalore show strong student participation, with 10-12 vegetable varieties already distributed to students over four months. The program will expand to an additional 16 schools in the next six months.

Amazon's nutrition initiatives in Karnataka also include its long-standing collaboration with Akshaya Patra Foundation. Since supporting Karnataka's Ksheera Bhagya milk programme in 2017—which benefited 170,000 children in Bengaluru government schools—the collaboration has evolved to address broader nutrition and education needs. In 2024, Amazon launched Project Aasha, enabling employees to share its expertise in supply chain and logistics to enhance Akshaya Patra's operational capabilities. Amazon employees nationwide have also supported the preparation and distribution of nearly 450,000 nutritious mid-day meals across India in 2025.

"From funding milk programs to building creative ways for children to understand nutrition, our programs and initiatives have continuously evolved to meet the changing needs of children and communities," said Abhinav Singh, VP Operations, Amazon India and Australia. "Together with Akshaya Patra and ICLEI, we are creating lasting impact that goes beyond food to education on nutrition and sustainability in the formative years of a student’s life."

Dr. Monalisa Sen, Associate Director at ICLEI South Asia added, "Urban gardens are more than nutrition; they cultivate sustainability awareness and empower students to grow their own future."

Mr. Shridhar Venkat, CEO of The Akshaya Patra Foundation said, "Amazon has been a transformative partner since 2017, evolving from the Ksheera Bhagya programme to encompass digital education and operational excellence through Project Aasha. We are grateful for their continued support as we work towards ensuring no child in India is deprived of education because of hunger."

The Right Now Climate Fund (RNCF) is Amazon’s $100 million global commitment to restore ecosystems, protect biodiversity, and help communities where Amazon operates. Since its launch in India in 2023, RNCF has allocated $3.28M for the country as part of its $15M commitment to Asia-Pacific. Through RNCF, Amazon is collaborating with the Centre for Wildlife Studies' Wild Carbon project in the UNESCO-listed Western Ghats to support 10,000 farming households, planting one million trees, thereby reducing human-wildlife conflict while creating sustainable income opportunities. Additionally, Amazon is investing $1.2 million to restore Mumbai's Thane Creek ecosystem by planting 400,000 mangroves and removing 150 tons of plastic waste from the city's waterways, protecting a critical Asian flyway for hundreds of bird species. This initiative protects critical habitats for Mumbai's flamingos while creating employment for local women.

About Amazon.in

Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth’s Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth’s Best Employer, and Earth’s Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfilment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit www.amazon.in/aboutus.

Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 Concludes At BIEC, Reinforcing Global Confidence In Karnataka’s “Futurise” Agenda

Key Highlights:

Three days of high-impact programming featuring Ten conference tracks aligned with the “Futurise” theme, featuring 103 sessions, 633 speakers, 1015 exhibitors, 92,478 attendees, 46,389 registered business visitors, 20,680 conference delegates, 57 countries, and a total of 5095 metro tickets booked

Strong global presence with GIA delegations from countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, South Korea, Norway, Italy, Switzerland, Israel, Japan, the UK, and the USA

India–US MoU signed to advance cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, spanning AI, defence, space, quantum computing, clean energy, and telecommunications

Karnataka announced major LEAP programme updates, including Elevate Next (Deeptech) and Elevate Beyond Bengaluru, with grants ranging from INR 50 lakh to INR 1 crore for 90 startups

GoK and VCs came together to distribute up to INR 400 crore to Deep tech start-ups

MoU signed between ESSCI, Government of Karnataka, and Marvell Semiconductor to train 90 women in VLSI and embedded systems across tier-2 and tier-3 cities

Department of Electronics showcased 50 breakthrough startup products across IT, AgriTech, MedTech, CleanTech, AI, IoT, Defence, and more, highlighting IP-led innovation emerging from K-tech Hubs, CoEs, and TBIs

Future Makers Conclave featured astronaut Group Capt. Shubhanshu Shukla, author Ankur Warikoo, tennis icon Sania Mirza, Zepto Co-Founder Kaivalya Vohra, Richa Shah, Suhani Shah, among others

Policy and global governance dialogues addressed AI frameworks, semiconductor strategy, quantum technologies, digital public infrastructure, biotech advancement, and frontier science.

STPI IT Export Awards 2024–25 honoured Shri B. V. Naidu, Chairman, KDEM with the STPI Commendation Award

IT Ratna of Karnataka awarded to Infosys Ltd. for exports above ₹15,000 crore. IT Pride Awards were presented to major industry leaders, including Schneider Electric, Accenture, Amazon, Bosch, Dell, IBM, Intel, JPMorgan, Qualcomm, Samsung R&D, SAP Labs, TCS, and VMware, alongside key recognitions for high-growth and regional performers.

Recognition of excellence through SmartBio Awards, Poster Awards, and Startup Ecosystem Impact Awards

National finalists recognised through the TCS Rural IT Quiz and BioQuiz National Finale, celebrating emerging young innovators.

Two policies: IT policy 2025-2030 and Space Technology policy 2025-2030, were announced during BTS 2025

The 28th edition of the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) 2025 concluded today at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), marking the end of three days of high-impact innovation and global collaboration. A key highlight this year was the Future Makers Conclave, which brought together trailblazers shaping the next decade. Astronaut Group Capt. Shubhanshu Shukla, author and entrepreneur Ankur Warikoo, tennis icon Sania Mirza, Zepto Co-Founder Kaivalya Vohra, cricketer Richa Ghosh, mentalist Suhani Shah, and several other celebrated personalities shared stories that blended creativity, resilience, and leadership. The Conclave also featured a special felicitation ceremony honouring founders of companies that have crossed the billion-dollar milestone, with leaders from Zepto, Rapido, Ather Energy, Jumbotail, Navi, and Bluestone recognised on stage with the traditional Mysuru Peta.

At the Conclave, Minister Priyank Kharge outlined Karnataka’s intensified focus on deep tech and the expanding collaboration between the government and the private sector. He shared that the state has already facilitated ₹786.43 crore in investments for deep-tech startups and recently launched a ₹663-crore Deep Tech Fund. With venture capital firms matching the government’s commitment, the combined corpus has now crossed ₹1,200 crore, with contributions from leading funds such as Capital A, Blue Hill VC, and Axcel Partners. He emphasised that government grants help early-stage startups transition to VC funding and pilot deployment, reiterating Karnataka’s vision of becoming a startup’s “first customer” and noting the state’s rise in global startup rankings from 21st to 8th in just two years.

The recognition of high-growth founders served as a strong reminder of Bengaluru’s role in shaping India’s digital economy, as the Government of Karnataka celebrated the resilience and ambition of leaders who have built transformative companies. Zepto’s rapid acceleration in the quick-commerce sector was highlighted as a standout example of innovation and disciplined execution, symbolising the strength of the city’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and inspiring emerging founders across the country.

The Government of Karnataka and leading VC firms jointly disbursed INR 400 crore at the Future Makers Conclave, marking a major milestone for AI and deep-tech innovation in the state. The initiative aimed to strengthen collaboration between startups and investors and reinforce Karnataka’s leadership in emerging technologies. The government highlighted its focus on accelerating progress through strong public–private partnerships and building a globally competitive ecosystem. The Conclave also announced 143 ELEVATE winners, the largest cohort so far, bringing the total number of funded startups to 1,084, including 390 from Beyond Bengaluru.

The Government of Karnataka and leading VC firms jointly disbursed INR 400 crore at the Future Makers Conclave, marking a significant milestone for AI and deep-tech innovation. Minister Priyank Kharge said the initiative was designed to bring startups and VCs together to create the “future makers of tomorrow,” thanking the VC community for partnering to reshape how the world views India. He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to accelerating progress and building an ecosystem “unmatched in the world.” The Conclave also announced 143 ELEVATE winners, the largest cohort to date, bringing the total number of startups funded under the program to 1,084, including 390 from Beyond Bengaluru.

Themed “Futurise”, the Summit brought together leaders from government, industry, research, and entrepreneurship to imagine, innovate, and build what comes next. Notable figures who addressed or participated in sessions across the three days included Debjani Ghosh (NITI Aayog), Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Dr. V. Narayanan (ISRO), Shri S. Gopalakrishnan (Kris), Chairman, Karnataka Vision Group on IT & Electronics, and Co-Founder, Infosys, Chairman, Axilor Ventures, Shri Prashanth Prakash, Chairperson, Karnataka Vision Group on Startups and Partner, Accel, Prof. Arindam Ghosh (IISc) among others. The overwhelming response saw enthusiastic participation from diverse backgrounds, including tech professionals, entrepreneurs, government officials, and students.

BTS 2025 recorded exceptional participation with representation from 57 nations, reflecting its global reach. The summit featured 1015 exhibitors and 663 speakers, showcasing cutting-edge ideas and innovations. With over 20,680 delegates, 46,389 registered business visitors, and 92,478 total attendees. BTS 2025 reinforced its position as one of Asia’s most influential technology and innovation gatherings. It also featured 103 knowledge sessions across 10 thematic tracks that supported by strong participation from startups, academic researchers, policy leaders, and global partner missions. Academic institutions and leading research universities joined international delegations to strengthen research–industry collaboration.

This year, Australia joined as the Country Partner, while NRW Global Business (Germany) and Norway featured as Country Focus Partners, Poland as the Bronze Partner, and Italy as the Country Presence Partner. Further strengthening the global footprint of the summit, delegations from leading tech nations participated in the Conference and Exhibition, viz., USA, Cuba, Uruguay, Russia, UK, Israel, Belgium, Finland, France, EU, Dubai, Sharjah, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, and Thailand. On the domestic front, Madhya Pradesh was the State Partner, with Odisha as the Co-State Partner and DPIIT – Startup India as the Startup Partner.

The BTS 2025 Exhibition brought together exhibitors and delegations from 60+ countries across industry, academia, government, and the startup ecosystem. Organised into specialised zones—Electro-Semicon, Biotech & HealthTech, Mobility, Spacetech, Greentech, Telecom, FinTech, Edutech, and Animation & Gaming—the exhibition was further supported by the Startup Pavilion, Corporate & Industry Pavilion, National & State Pavilions, the R&D ‘Lab to Market’ Pavilion, and the Karnataka Showcase. Designed as Asia’s Premier Tech Commerce & Innovation Marketplace, the exhibition translated ideas into scalable opportunities. BTS 2025 also hosted specialized platforms like Investor Connect — enabling startups to engage directly with leading investors and industry leaders — and Mentor Connect, which offered valuable one-on-one mentorship sessions with seasoned domain experts.

BTS 2025 featured comprehensive knowledge tracks across IT & DeepTech, Electronics & Semicon, DigiHealth & Biotech, FinVerse, AI Universe, Frontier Technologies, and Spacetech & Aerospace. Across stages, leaders deliberated on the future of work, AI-driven science, sovereign digital ecosystems, regenerative medicine, semiconductor design maturity, and global financial innovation, reflecting the breadth of India’s rapidly evolving technology landscape.

Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 concluded as a landmark reflection of India’s innovation landscape, encompassing its founders, institutions, global partners, and collective technological vision. Over three days of in-depth programming, the Summit underscored that the nation’s progress will be shaped not only by advancements in AI, biotechnology, mobility, semiconductors, digital health, and sustainability, but also by strategic collaboration, inclusive growth, and the emergence of next-generation leadership. The breadth of discourse, the scale of participation, and the strength of international engagement affirmed a clear message: India is entering a defining decade of innovation, with Bengaluru continuing to serve as its principal engine and global point of convergence.

Summary of the Day-3 at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025:

STPI IT Export Awards 2024–25: The awards recognised Shri B. V. Naidu with the STPI Commendation Award for his longstanding contribution to Karnataka’s IT/ITES sector, a category he originally conceptualised. Infosys Ltd. received the IT Ratna of Karnataka for exports above ₹15,000 crore, followed by IT Pride honours for Schneider Electric and major IT/ITES leaders, including Accenture, Amazon, Bosch, Dell, IBM, Intel, JPMorgan, Qualcomm, Samsung R&D, SAP Labs, TCS, and VMware. High-growth and regional awards went to Clinisys, Colt, Genpact, Excelsoft, and Glowtouch, while Cyient DLM and Incap were recognised in hardware. Workforce and productivity honours went to NVIDIA, Genpact, Intuit, NXP, and Signify Innovations, with Exhibitor Excellence awards presented to Xogar Studio, Israel Pavilion, Alliance University, Sarus Aerospace, ECIA, ARTPARK, Sharjah RTI Park, IIIT-Bangalore, and the Russia Pavilion.

The TCS National Rural IT Quiz 2025 showcased exceptional young talent from across the country, with Pratham Chetan Dand from Shree M. J. C. K. R. Higher Secondary School, Songadh, Gujarat, emerging as the National Winner. The Runner-Up title was secured by Anish Nauso Shetye from Dr. K. B. Hedgewar Vidyamandir, Sankhalim, Goa, reflecting the strong performance and enthusiasm from students across rural India. This year’s edition once again underscored the growing digital awareness and potential of rural students, reinforcing the Quiz’s mission to inspire and empower future innovators.

The BioQuiz 2025 National Finals at the Bengaluru Tech Summit brought together top biotechnology students from across India for a fast-paced and engaging competition hosted by quizmaster Giri Balasubramaniam, with guest Apoorva K Bidari, KAS, opening the session. Across challenging rounds covering molecular biology, genetics, and biotechnology innovations, the finalists demonstrated sharp thinking under pressure. Jharkhand’s Debabrata Meitei from ICAR–Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology emerged as the National Winner, maintaining a commanding lead through consistent and accurate answering, while Uttar Pradesh’s Bhavya Bansal from Lovely Professional University finished as Runner-Up following steady scoring and impressive buzzer attempts. The finalist from AISSMS College of Engineering, Maharashtra, also delivered a strong performance, making the quiz a spirited and memorable highlight of the summit.

The fireside chat with Zepto Co-founder Kaivalya Vohra, moderated by Ankur Warikoo, offered a compelling look into how Zepto pioneered the 10-minute delivery model. Vohra shared that the idea emerged after noticing that customers who accidentally received 10–15-minute deliveries showed the highest retention, prompting the founders to test the concept hands-on during the pandemic. He spoke about the challenge of building dark stores and ultra-fast supply chain systems with no global precedent, relying on rapid iteration and strong technical innovation. Emphasising resilience, Vohra noted that entrepreneurship demands showing up despite daily setbacks. He also highlighted the importance of hiring experienced operators early to fill knowledge gaps. Calling Bengaluru home, he credited the city’s exceptional talent pool for Zepto’s growth. The session concluded with insights into his inspirations, leadership learnings, and Zepto’s continued expansion beyond groceries.

Speaking at Future Conclave, Group Capt. Shubhanshu Shukla delivered an inspiring keynote on the realities of human spaceflight, emphasising how curiosity drives humanity to solve extreme challenges beyond Earth. He described how astronauts must relearn basic actions in space due to the absence of gravity, making even simple tasks unfamiliar. Shukla highlighted the dramatic evolution of spacecraft from the earliest capsules to modern touch-screen-operated Crew Dragon vehicles. He explained the crushing experience of launch, where astronauts endure up to 8 Gs while ascending to 28,500 km/h in under nine minutes. He spoke about the disorienting nature of microgravity, where concepts like up or down vanish and objects float effortlessly. The physiological impact of space travel was outlined, including fluid shifts to the head, muscle loss, and temporary height increase. He shared how returning to Earth requires relearning how to walk after days in orbit. Shukla also emphasised the psychological resilience required for long-duration missions. He showcased breathtaking visuals of Earth from space, including India illuminated at night. Concluding with a strong message, he urged the audience to contribute to India’s rapidly growing space ecosystem and help power the nation’s journey toward “Viksit Bharat 2047,” reminding everyone that the sky was never the limit.

In a Fireside chat, the Grit, Glory, and Grace, moderated by sports anchor Mayanti Langer, Sanya Mirza, and Richa Ghosh, discuss navigating criticism, managing the spotlight, and staying grounded as elite athletes. Sanya shared how she developed resilience over the years, noting that neither social media praise nor negativity should shape an athlete’s mindset. They reflected on how technology and data have transformed training, recovery and performance, especially for women whose physiological needs require tailored support. Sanya emphasised that while AI and innovation elevate sport, instinct, talent and hard work remain irreplaceable. Both athletes also celebrated the rising visibility and respect for women’s sports in India and urged young athletes and entrepreneurs to stay rooted in their purpose and focus on consistent effort rather than external expectations.

Picture Captions: L-R - Shri Priyank Kharge, Hon'ble Minister for Information Technology & Biotechnology and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, Govt. of Karnataka, Group Capt. Shubhanshu Shukla and Sharath Kumar Bache Gowda, Chairman, KEONICS at Future Makers Conclave.

First India Urges Ministry Of Finance For Clarity On GST Applicability To Logistics And Local Delivery Services

The e-commerce and retail logistics sector in India faces mounting uncertainty over recent GST amendments concerning transportation services, prompting urgent industry intervention. The Forum for Internet Retailers, Sellers & Traders (FIRST India), representing over 300 e-commerce platforms, logistics startups, and digital marketplaces, has approached the Union Ministry of Finance seeking immediate clarification on GST implications for Goods Transport Agency (GTA) services and local delivery operations. The recent changes (Notification No. 17/2025–Central Tax, dated September 17, 2025) has created ambiguity between "local delivery" and "GTA" services. The new provision under Section 9(5) of the CGST Act requires e-commerce operators to pay 18% GST on "local delivery" services, except when service providers are registered under Section 22(1). However, without clear definitions of what constitutes "local delivery," MSMEs are struggling to classify short-distance or intra-city transport services.

The amendments following the 56th GST Council Meeting were intended to streamline transportation services taxation, the subsequent notifications have inadvertently created considerable confusion among ecosystem participants. Of particular concern is the impact on e-commerce operators, logistics service providers, and thousands of MSME sellers who form the backbone of India's digital retail infrastructure.

This lack of clarity has triggered operational and compliance challenges across the logistics value chain. Businesses are unclear on who bears the primary liability to pay tax – the e-commerce platform, the logistics partner, or the seller, and face inconsistencies in documentation and invoicing. The risk of double taxation looms large, particularly in cases where a shipment involves both interstate and local movement, handled by different service providers. The small logistic service providers are grappling with different model of large ecommerce players. Inconsistencies in interpretation have led to varying approaches among major e-commerce players, with Flipkart claiming GTA exemption while other significant platforms like Meesho are not availing this benefit, as they believe they do not qualify under the exemption category.

Sushma Morthania, Director General, FIRST India said, “The GST Council’s move to streamline compliance and plug loopholes is well-intentioned, but the lack of operational clarity on what qualifies as a ‘local delivery service’ has led to widespread confusion. E-commerce logistics is the backbone of MSME participation in India’s digital economy. A timely clarification will help ensure uniform compliance, protect small sellers from unintended tax burdens, and safeguard business continuity for thousands of logistics partners and digital retailers.”

In this regard, FIRST India has sought clarifications from the Ministry on the following:

The geographical and operational definition of “local delivery services” and its distinction from GTA and courier services;

The applicability of the existing B2C exemption for GTA services under Notification No. 12/2017 when goods are delivered directly to consumers;

The treatment of intra-state GTA services facilitated through e-commerce platforms; and

Whether ancillary services such as cash-on-delivery handling or product verification at delivery points are to be treated as part of GTA services or separately taxable activities.

FIRST India emphasizes that a definitive clarification from the Ministry is crucial to ensure industry-wide compliance and fair competition. The organization stresses that clear guidance on whether Flipkart's approach of claiming GTA exemption or the stance taken by other major players like Meesho is correct would be invaluable. Such clarity would enable FIRST India's members to serve the nation in accordance with the true spirit of the law, preventing any potential misinterpretation of well-intentioned regulations. This would not only foster a level playing field but also help businesses avoid inadvertent non-compliance due to ambiguous interpretations of the amended GST provisions.

About FIRST India

FIRST India’s strategy is based on engaging, reporting and communication. Together with its members, it gathers issues and evidence of obstacles hampering the development of the sector and translate them into priorities. Through collaboration with other relevant stakeholders, and using its members’ expertise, FIRST India develops positions and proposes workable solutions to the legislators in order to foster the growth of the Indian retail and ecommerce industry. FIRST India works together with all Indian stakeholders to rapidly remove the remaining barriers in digital commerce. It is mandated to identify problems as well as measure progress in the trade and commerce market, following from policy initiatives that will be taken at the National as well as Global level.