Former Infosys CFO and venture capitalist Mohandas Pai and actor-entrepreneur Suniel Shetty have highlighted Karnataka’s Mangaluru as a promising destination for startups and innovation.

Both emphasized the city’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem, combining talent, modern workspaces, quality of life, and a supportive community for returning Mangalorean entrepreneurs.

Pai, in a post on X, said, “Mangaluru is the next hot spot for innovation in India — great talent, affordable housing, excellent schools, wonderful people, and unique workspaces. With 25,000 techies already and beautiful beaches and resorts, it’s ideal for startups.”

Shetty echoed Pai, calling Mangaluru “not just the next hot spot, but the destination for techies, young entrepreneurs, and the good life — not just in India, but across Asia. It’s a deeply spiritual, soulful place that grounds you.”

Their remarks came in response to entrepreneur Amrit Shenava, who shared a guide for Mangaloreans aiming to return home and build startups. Shenava highlighted local organizations supporting entrepreneurship, such as TiE Mangaluru, the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), and initiatives like Silicon Beach.

He also praised modern workspaces like Vertex, which recently opened an R&D center for Bose, and WrkWrk, while recommending local founders and investors in FinTech, EVs, and hospitality as valuable resources for budding entrepreneurs.

Mangaluru’s combination of talent, infrastructure, and lifestyle, experts say, positions it as a strong contender among India’s emerging startup hubs.