“Startup Park to Empower 10,000 Founders and Build 1 Lakh Jobs in Karnataka”

Bengaluru to Launch India’s First Startup Park to Empower 10,000 Entrepreneurs by 2030

An integrated innovation hub to nurture ideas, create jobs, and inspire inclusive entrepreneurship

A New Chapter for India’s Startup Capital

Bengaluru, often called the startup capital of India, is preparing to mark another milestone in its entrepreneurial journey. On November 7, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar will inaugurate the country’s first Startup Park, an initiative of Ique Ventures, envisioned as a one-stop destination for founders and innovators.

Located on Hosur Road in Koramangala, the Startup Park aims to support over 10,000 startups by 2030, create one lakh jobs, and attract nearly ₹50,000 crore in investments. The facility, designed as an integrated innovation hub, will bring together incubation, mentorship, funding access, and global networking under a single roof.

Shafi Shoukath, Chairman and CEO of Ique Ventures, and the driving force behind the project, said the initiative represents a new phase in Karnataka’s growth story.

“ಕನಸು ಕಾಣುವವರಿಗೆ ವೇದಿಕೆ — ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾರತದ ಮೊದಲ ಸ್ಟಾರ್ಟಪ್ ಪಾರ್ಕ್ ಉದ್ಘಾಟನೆ”

“Bengaluru has always been the heartbeat of India’s startup story. Our next leap will come not from isolated efforts, but through a unified ecosystem. Startup Park is Karnataka’s growth engine. Our mission is to empower founders and position Bengaluru as a global capital of innovation,” he said.

The park will house specialized spaces such as a Startup School, Investor Studio, Pitch Lab, Global Connect Lounge, and Mentorship Hub. There will also be creative and well-being zones including podcast studios, fabrication labs, and wellness areas to encourage holistic growth for entrepreneurs.

Startup TV: A Voice for India’s Innovators

Adding a unique dimension to the ecosystem, the Startup Park will also introduce Startup TV, a dedicated platform to highlight stories, insights, and innovations from across India’s startup community. This initiative aims to act as a bridge between entrepreneurs, investors, and the public.

“The goal is not only to build startups but to tell their stories,” said Shoukath. “Startup TV will bring visibility to India’s innovators and inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs.”

By showcasing homegrown talent and their journeys, Startup TV seeks to foster awareness about entrepreneurship and create a culture of aspiration among young Indians. The platform will share real-life stories of resilience and innovation, offering lessons that go beyond business and touch the human side of enterprise.

A Platform for Inclusive and Decentralized Growth

Beyond Bengaluru, the Startup Park aims to extend opportunities to smaller towns across Karnataka, where startups often face barriers like lack of funding, vendors, or mentorship. The initiative envisions decentralizing the startup ecosystem so that innovation is not confined to urban centers alone.

Indumathi Murthy, CEO of the Incubation Department at Startup Park, emphasized this focus on inclusivity.

“We are building an environment that prioritizes ideas and entrepreneurial spirit over financial backgrounds or degrees. Anyone with a dream can walk in and build something here,” she said.

The park’s selection process focuses on identifying individuals driven by purpose rather than credentials. Shoukath explained that Startup Park does not impose corporate entry barriers or require academic degrees.

“We look for hunger and a clear understanding of an idea’s potential,” he said. “It’s not about where someone is from, but where they want to go.”

This approach ensures that aspiring entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds—whether from rural areas or urban neighborhoods—can access the same opportunities. “By giving entrepreneurs a free space, a free mind, and a strong ecosystem, we want to help build the next big companies from Karnataka,” Shoukath added.

“ಕನಸುಗಳನ್ನೇ ನಿಜಗೊಳಿಸುವ ನೂತನ ಪಾರ್ಕ್ — ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಸ್ಟಾರ್ಟಪ್ ಪಾರ್ಕ್”

Building a Sustainable Startup Ecosystem

Startup Park is more than just a physical space—it represents a movement to create a sustainable, inclusive, and purpose-driven startup culture in India. The initiative aligns with Karnataka’s goal of becoming a global innovation hub and strengthening the “Built in Karnataka” brand across the world.

The project’s vision stems from the understanding that entrepreneurs are key players in addressing social and economic challenges. Startups, Shoukath noted, can provide practical solutions to everyday issues—from improving infrastructure to enhancing public services—while contributing to the state’s overall development.

He also highlighted that entrepreneurship must be viewed as a collective responsibility. “Government alone cannot solve every problem,” he said. “Entrepreneurs and citizens must work together—economically, operationally, and socially—to build a better Karnataka and a better India.”

The Startup Park will provide all essential facilities—research support, incubation, mentorship, and investor access—to help founders focus solely on developing their ideas. By relieving them of financial and logistical worries, the initiative encourages innovation and long-term growth.

Murthy said the park’s goal is to nurture startups that are not only profitable but purposeful. “We want to support people who are building solutions that make life better, not just for themselves but for the community,” she said.

Towards an Innovative Future

With its vision of empowering 10,000 startups and nurturing inclusive entrepreneurship, Bengaluru’s Startup Park aims to redefine India’s innovation landscape. It represents an ecosystem where ideas can flourish, founders can focus, and creativity meets opportunity.

As Shoukath summed it up,

“Startup Park is not just a building—it’s a movement to create India’s next wave of dreamers, builders, and changemakers.”

By bridging innovation with inclusion, Startup Park hopes to turn dreams into enterprises and enterprises into agents of change—one entrepreneur at a time.