Karnataka says it is open to subsidising GPU access for startups through its new AI hub

Karnataka is looking at whether it can help startups pay for GPUs, the chips used to train and test AI models, through its upcoming artificial intelligence hub at IIIT Bangalore. State IT and BT Secretary N. Manjula raised the possibility on 12 November at a meeting with women entrepreneurs in Bengaluru, after a founder building industrial smart cameras asked about cheaper computing power, YourStory reported. Asked whether the state could add support on top of the Centre's IndiaAI Mission, she told YourStory: "We are open to looking at it."

The idea is at an early stage. Manjula gave no budget, eligibility rules or timeline for state support, according to YourStory. The South First reported that the Department of Electronics, IT and Biotechnology will examine proposals for subsidised access to AI computing and for shared facilities for hardware and robotics startups, and The Economic Times reported that the state is weighing better access to capital, AI computing, government procurement and market links for women led startups after the consultation.

The hub itself was approved by the Karnataka Cabinet in September at an estimated cost of Rs 35 crore. It is planned to offer AI training and startup support, along with an AI Living Lab with computing infrastructure and real world testbeds, according to YourStory and DQ India. IIIT Bangalore Director Debabrata Das said hardware costs, particularly memory, had risen fourfold over the past year, with GPU prices showing the next biggest rise, and that the hub was looking at giving startups computing access to test ideas and build proofs of concept.

The meeting also covered existing state support. Under ELEVATE Shakti 2026, 63 women led startups were selected with grant support of Rs 23.19 crore, and the wider ELEVATE programme has backed more than 400 women led startups since 2017 with Rs 118.98 crore committed, both outlets reported. The South First added that the Government First initiative offers pilot support of up to Rs 25 lakh for startups to test their products in government departments, and Manjula said the state is also exploring shared manufacturing space about an hour from Bengaluru airport.

What to watch: Das said more details on the hub are expected at the Bengaluru Tech Summit from 17 to 19 November. Today, startups can apply for subsidised compute through the Centre's IndiaAI Compute Portal, so the test for Karnataka is whether its help reaches founders that the national scheme does not.