Bengaluru: The Department of Information Technology and Biotechnology signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Embassy of Finland in Bengaluru on Monday to set up a Karnataka-Finland Innovation Corridor.
This will be a virtual platform to facilitate the exchange of information and expertise in the fields of science, research, innovation and skill development.
The corridor aims to identify “mutual interests and organise joint projects, such as startup incubation programmes, research programmes, events, competitions and exposure visits,” according to a government statement.
Karnataka-based i-SAMARTH programme, initiated by Nokia, will act as an informal focal point for Internet of Things-related Indian and Finnish companies to collaborate in the fields of research, development and innovation.
Further, to meet the growing demand for quality human capital in technology, Karnataka and Finland plan to organise suitable skill development programmes.
As per the pact, a high-level steering committee, constituted to oversee the pace and progress of the corridor, will meet at least once in six months.
“Our aim is to facilitate collaborations between startup incubators and accelerators from Karnataka and Finland,” Priyank Kharge, Minister of IT, BT and Tourism, said.
“Over the next few months, we’ll organise matchmaking events where startups and large corporations from Karnataka and Finland get a chance to interact and work with each other.”
Besides organising industry events, exposure visits, startup-incubation programmes and research programmes, the pact envisions providing mutual landing pads (temporary office space and other assistance at a reasonable price) for startups, he said.
