Google provides much-needed boost for Indian innovation

India’s southern state of Karnataka, which includes the key city of Bangalore, has for years been the technological hub of Asia’s second largest economy. Pioneering research and innovation, Karnataka has harnessed the steady supply of highly qualified students and the best scientific minds the region has to offer.

Transferring this expertise onto a global scale has proven somewhat difficult, however, with few Indian firms leading the way in international technology. However, tech firms from the west are looking to exploit the regions proliferation of expertise, with Google the latest to announce significant investment in the area.

Recently, the Karnataka State Innovation Council (KSInC) announced a joint-scheme with Google that they hope will fuel internet-based innovation. The KSInC Chairman, Professor HP Khincha, told reporters: “Karnataka has long been a pioneer in innovation and has driven India’s incredible emergence as a world leader in technology and software.

“However, in these challenging economic times and a shaky global future, it is imperative that we stay ahead of the curve and consolidate our place as innovators. With this initiative and support from Google, we want to amplify the impact of Internet-driven innovation as more and more Indians come online.”

In recent years, technology giants from around the world have invested heavily in Karnataka, banking on the high level of expertise and relatively low-cost of research. In February, Samsung announced they would be building one of their phones exclusively in India, with the phone targeted specifically at the low-cost Asian market. Japan’s Panasonic are also looking to develop a manufacturing hub in the state.

Analysts McKinsey reported recently that by 2015, internet-based businesses could be worth as much as $100bn to the Indian economy. The electronic and manufacturing sector, according to the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association, will grow at a rate of 9.9 percent over the next few years, and to $94.2bn by 2015.

Google’s Lalitesh Katragadda added that their investment in the region will help India’s best minds achieve the goal of better living stands and the country’s ability to compete on the global market: “At Google, we believe in the power of the web to help the next billion in India connect, learn and reach their true potential. This initiative is another step towards the same direction.”