New incubation centre and software development centre to help Kalaburagi emerge as next IT hub in Karnataka

Kalaburagi is poised to become the next major IT hub in the State, with the Karnataka government and the PDA College of Engineering collaborating to launch an incubation centre and a software development centre to support and guide local entrepreneurs.

At an event held in the district administrative complex in Kalaburagi on April 9 to sign agreements with private institutions to establish a world-class incubation centre and an Offshore Development Centre (ODC) in Kalaburagi, Deputy Commissioner Fauzia Taranum said that the initiative aligned with the Local Economy Accelerator Programme (LEAP) of the State, which was announced in the 2025 budget with a ₹1,000 crore grant to drive innovation and create 5 lakh jobs across Tier-II cities, including Kalaburagi, Hubballi-Dharwad, Mysuru, and Mangaluru.

“As part of government’s Beyond Bengaluru Mission, a tripartite agreement between the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Kalaburagi, KDEM and PDA College of Engineering, is signed to establish the world-class incubation centre, which will serve as a strategic hub for nurturing startups, supporting entrepreneurs and building talent pipelines in emerging technologies, and aims to support more than 50 start-ups from the Kalyana Karnataka region. The initiative aims to build robust digital and IT ecosystems in emerging cities and regions, particularly in Kalyana Karnataka,” Ms. Taranum said.

Another agreement has been signed with XCEL Corp, a globally recognised US-based company, which is set to open a new center in Kalaburagi, expanding its research and development (R&D) footprint in Karnataka, especially in Kalyana Karnataka, she added.

“XCEL Corp USA, a global leader in software innovation since 2003, has announced a major expansion of its R&D operations in India. The company, which focuses on cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), generative AI, quantum computing, digital transformation, embedded systems, and the Internet of Things (IoT), is strengthening its presence in north Karnataka by launching a new centre in Kalaburagi,” Ms. Taranum said.

Based in New Jersey, XCEL Corp operates advanced R&D hubs in Bengaluru, Chennai, Belagavi, and Hubballi-Dharwad. The addition of the Kalaburagi center marks a significant step in supporting India’s growing tech ecosystem and creating high-skill jobs in tier-2 cities, she added.

“Priyank Kharge, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj and Information Technology-Biotechnology, who is also the In-charge for Kalaburagi played a key role in this agreement. As per his vision, Kalaburagi is set to become a central part of Karnataka’s future growth story. With the XCEL Corporation Incubation Centre and Software Development Centre, we are laying the foundation for empowering local youth, inviting domestic and international companies to invest in this dynamic region, and providing all possible support, the administration is ready to facilitate,” Ms. Taranum said.

Shashil G. Namoshi, Member of Legislative Council and Chairman of Hyderabad Karnataka Education Society that runs PDA Engineering College, remarked that establishing the incubation centre at PDA College will help retain local talent and contribute to the overall industrial growth of the region.

KDEM CEO Sanjeev Kumar Gupta emphasised that such agreements play a crucial role in strengthening Karnataka’s IT sector. “Kalaburagi has immense potential to emerge as a major technology hub in the State. Through this initiative, we aim to provide the necessary resources for startups and entrepreneurs,” he said.

XCEL Corp founder and CEO Jit Goel stated that at XCEL Corp believes in innovation-driven growth and the power of collaboration to unlock new opportunities. “We are proud to partner with PDA College and the Karnataka government to expand our presence in Kalaburagi. We trust in the potential of the region’s talent and are committed to unlocking global opportunities here,” he said.

PDA College of Engineering Principal Dr. S.R. Patil expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, calling it a boon for Kalaburagi. “By integrating education with industry and government support, we are creating fertile ground for innovation, job creation, and regional development,” he said.