Mysuru: The Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (KEONICS) is expanding its technology infrastructure beyond Bengaluru, with new and planned IT parks in Mysuru, Mangaluru and Shivamogga as the state seeks to spread technology-driven growth across regional centres.

The plans were highlighted as KEONICS marked its 50th anniversary on September 22. Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said the state needs to take technology infrastructure and opportunities beyond Bengaluru, while IT and Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge described KEONICS as an important execution arm of Karnataka’s technology ecosystem.

The expansion comes as Karnataka increasingly focuses on developing technology ecosystems in tier-II and tier-III cities. Mysuru, Mangaluru and Shivamogga are among the cities identified for additional infrastructure, alongside existing IT centres in Hubballi and Kalaburagi.

Mysuru to get a new IT park

Mysuru is among the key locations in KEONICS’ latest expansion plans. The corporation is planning a 3.48-acre IT park in the city, adding to its wider efforts to create technology infrastructure outside Bengaluru.

KEONICS has previously identified land in Mysuru for technology infrastructure. Its official infrastructure information lists an IT Park project in the Hebbal Industrial Estate area, with plans for development through a public-private partnership model. An earlier KEONICS proposal described a 5-acre mixed-use development, with a portion earmarked for IT workspace.

Mysuru has also been identified as one of Karnataka’s major emerging technology clusters under the broader “Beyond Bengaluru” initiative. The state has been seeking to leverage the city’s existing educational institutions, talent pool and growing technology ecosystem to attract more companies and employment opportunities.

The latest KEONICS announcement places additional emphasis on physical infrastructure. The proposed park could provide space for companies and technology-related activities as the state attempts to create alternatives to Bengaluru for businesses looking to establish operations in Karnataka.

Mangaluru project targets growing technology ecosystem

In Mangaluru, KEONICS plans to develop a 3.25-acre IT park at Blueberry Hill in Derebail. The project is part of the corporation’s strategy to establish technology infrastructure in locations with emerging business and startup ecosystems.

Mangaluru has increasingly been identified as a potential technology and innovation centre because of its educational institutions and emerging fintech and health-tech sectors.

Karnataka’s Economic Survey has also referred to the proposed Mangaluru IT Park, noting that the project is planned on about 3.5 acres at Blueberry Hills through the public-private partnership model. The survey had earlier estimated a project cost of around Rs 135 crore.

KEONICS had previously outlined plans for a technology park in Mangaluru with space for co-working facilities and potential centres of excellence. The corporation has also indicated interest in supporting the city’s fintech ecosystem and exploring opportunities related to marine technology and biology.

The latest announcement indicates that Mangaluru remains an important part of the state’s strategy to develop technology clusters outside Bengaluru.

Shivamogga gets another phase of IT infrastructure

Shivamogga is another major focus of KEONICS’ expansion. The corporation plans a 2.5-acre IT Park Annex Phase II next to its existing IT Park in the city.

The state-backed corporation already has IT infrastructure in Shivamogga. KEONICS’ official information states that its IT Park in Shivamogga was established at the Nidige-Machenahalli Industrial Area and has been operational since 2013. The organisation has also been developing an IT/ITES SEZ in the area.

The expansion is therefore intended to build on an existing technology base rather than establish the sector from scratch.

Earlier government documents have also outlined the proposed IT Park Annex Phase II on the existing 2.5-acre parcel next to the Shivamogga IT Park.

KEONICS marks five decades of technology development

KEONICS was established in 1976 and has played a role in the development of Karnataka’s electronics and technology infrastructure.

One of its most significant contributions was its involvement in the development of Electronic City in Bengaluru. The corporation says it played a major role in establishing the area, which subsequently became one of India’s prominent technology clusters.

At its Golden Jubilee event, KEONICS launched a new logo and a Computer Literacy Test module. It also released a coffee-table book documenting its five-decade history and unveiled a statue of R K Baliga, its first chairman and managing director and a key figure associated with the development of Electronic City.

The anniversary also marked a shift in emphasis from the organisation’s historical role in developing Bengaluru’s technology infrastructure towards a wider state-level technology strategy.

Focus expands to skilling and digital services

KEONICS’ role now extends beyond physical infrastructure. The corporation is involved in IT consulting, system integration, software, infrastructure management and procurement for government departments and public institutions.

The organisation is also expanding its skilling programmes. According to IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge, KEONICS has more than 130 training centres, which trained more than 1.39 lakh students between financial year 2019-20 and financial year 2025-26.

This focus on training is significant for the Beyond Bengaluru strategy because the availability of skilled workers is an important factor in attracting technology companies to regional cities.

KEONICS is also working on digital education and artificial intelligence initiatives. The corporation plans to roll out 2,222 KEO AI PCs across 239 taluks and 31 model residential schools. The devices are designed to provide on-device AI capabilities and support digital learning and AI literacy.

Beyond Bengaluru gains momentum

The KEONICS plans are part of a broader Karnataka strategy to reduce the concentration of technology-related growth in Bengaluru.

The Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission has previously proposed expanding the state’s technology ecosystem to tier-II and tier-III cities, including Mysuru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Mangaluru, Belagavi, Kalaburagi and Shivamogga. The proposal emphasised decentralising innovation and strengthening technology ecosystems beyond the capital.

The state’s broader “Beyond Bengaluru” initiative has already identified Mysuru, Mangaluru and Hubballi-Dharwad as important regional clusters. The objective is to build on local talent, infrastructure, startups and existing innovation capabilities.

For Mysuru, Mangaluru and Shivamogga, the development of IT parks could provide additional physical infrastructure for companies and entrepreneurs while supporting employment and skill development.

A wider technology network for Karnataka

The proposed projects also indicate how KEONICS’ role is changing after five decades. Instead of concentrating its infrastructure development around Bengaluru, the organisation is looking at a network of technology centres across Karnataka.

Existing IT parks in Hubballi, Kalaburagi and Shivamogga provide an established base, while projects in Mysuru and Mangaluru can add capacity in two cities that have already been identified as emerging technology centres.

The success of these projects will depend on factors including implementation, private-sector participation, availability of skilled talent and the ability to attract companies to the new infrastructure. Several of the projects have been associated with public-private partnership or design, build, finance, operate and transfer models.

As KEONICS enters its sixth decade, the organisation’s latest plans point towards a broader technology map for Karnataka. Mysuru, Mangaluru and Shivamogga are set to play a larger role in that expansion, while Bengaluru continues to remain the state’s dominant technology centre.

The proposed IT parks, combined with investments in skilling, digital governance and AI-enabled education, are intended to create a more distributed technology ecosystem across Karnataka. For the state, the next phase of KEONICS’ journey will be closely linked to how effectively these regional opportunities translate into companies, jobs, skills and sustained technology activity beyond Bengaluru.