Karnataka to Host India’s First State-Led Centre of Excellence in Space Tech in Partnership with SIA-India
In a major development for India’s growing space economy, the Government of Karnataka has approved the establishment of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Space Technology. The Centre, developed in partnership with SIA-India, marks a major push to bring space innovation closer to the state level, cementing Karnataka Space Tech Centre of Excellence as the nerve centre of India’s space ambitions.
Backed by an initial allocation of Rs 10 crore over five years, the CoE will be set up in Bengaluru, home to ISRO, IISc, and a thriving startup ecosystem. The initiative is being launched in collaboration with key private and research partners — including Ananth Technologies Ltd., the International Institute of Space Studies and Research (IISSR), KickSky, and BES Space — each playing a defined role in nurturing next-generation capabilities in space innovation, manufacturing, and workforce development.
Industry-Backed Vision for a New Space Economy
The Centre is designed as a strategic innovation and skill-building hub, offering startup incubation, advanced research, and policy innovation to support India’s ascent as a global space power. It arrives at a time when India’s space-tech landscape is expanding rapidly, with startups raising $126 million in 2023, up from just $37.6 million in 2021.
“State-led initiatives like this are crucial for unlocking India’s regional innovation capacity and achieving our national space ambitions,” said Anil Prakash, Director General of SIA-India. “We’re proud to partner with the Karnataka government to drive cutting-edge R&D, entrepreneurship, and skilling.”
The CoE aligns with Karnataka’s Draft Space Technology Policy 2024, which envisions the state contributing 50% of India’s space economy by 2033, targeting a market size of $22 billion.
A National Blueprint Anchored in Bengaluru
“Karnataka has long led India’s innovation journey. This Centre is not just a facility — it’s a strategic platform consolidating our leadership in the global space economy,” said Dr Subba Rao Pavuluri, President of SIA-India and CMD of Ananth Technologies. “It’s a comprehensive, future-facing initiative with deep national and international relevance.”
Focused on emerging areas such as satellite communications, Earth observation, space situational awareness, quantum communications, and in-orbit servicing, the CoE will act as a central node for academia-industry-government collaboration.
Key targets over the next five years include:
- 20+ newSpace startups incubated
- 2,000+ professionals trained, starting with 200 in the first year
- 50+ research outputs
- 10+ international technology collaborations and joint ventures
- $100 million in revenue generated from startup-led innovation
The state backed Centre also aims to contribute to India’s goal of capturing 5% of the global space economy by 2035, which would require training over 200,000 skilled professionals across the space value chain.
Strategic Role in National Missions
It is designed to amplify national flagship programs such as Digital India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and Startup India. Its outputs will also have real-world applications in agriculture, disaster response, smart cities, and urban planning, supporting broader UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The CoE complements recent national initiatives, including IN-SPACe’s Rs 500 crore Tech Adoption Fund, a Rs 1,000 crore VC fund, and MoUs for upcoming space manufacturing parks.
Led by a Consortium of Experts
The initiative is steered by a multi-partner consortium:
- SIA-India, offering strategic vision, policy advocacy, and global networks
- Ananth Technologies Ltd., contributing infrastructure and industry leadership
- IISSR, leading research and academic partnerships
- KickSky, focusing on startup acceleration and global investor access
- BES Space, driving digital integration, AI solutions, and public outreach
What’s Next: Scaling the Model Nationwide
For SIA-India, the CoE is just the beginning. The association is already in discussions with other state governments, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, to replicate this model and build a distributed national network of innovation hubs.
Future goals include:
- Launching India’s first State-Level Space Innovation Index
- Opening ISRO and IN-SPACe infrastructure for CoE-affiliated startups and researchers
- Elevating Indian companies in global satellite and space-tech value chains through bilateral and multilateral engagements