KEONICS turns 50, takes Karnataka’s tech story beyond Bengaluru

Karnataka’s technology story began long before the AI boom. As KEONICS marks 50 years, the state-backed technology corporation is looking to take that legacy beyond Bengaluru.

Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (KEONICS) marked its Golden Jubilee in Bengaluru on September 22, celebrating five decades of work across technology infrastructure, digital services, skilling and electronics.

The celebrations were attended by Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, IT and Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge, former Chief Minister Veerappa Moily, KEONICS Chairman Sharath Kumar Bache Gowda and other government and industry representatives.

The event also saw the launch of KEONICS’ new logo, the CLT module and a coffee-table book documenting its five-decade journey. A statue of R K Baliga, the founder of Electronic City and KEONICS’ first Chairman and Managing Director, was also unveiled.

From Electronic City to regional tech hubs

Established in 1976, KEONICS played a foundational role in developing 332 acres of land for Electronic City. Over the years, it has evolved from an electronics promotion agency into a technology partner supporting government departments, businesses and citizens.

Its focus now extends to IT infrastructure, digital government, procurement, skill development and technology services across Karnataka.

KEONICS has more than 130 training centres, which have trained and certified over 1.39 lakh students between FY2019-20 and FY2025-26.

The corporation is also building new technology infrastructure in Shivamogga, Mangaluru and Mysuru, while expanding on existing IT parks in Hubballi, Kalaburagi and Shivamogga.

In Shivamogga, KEONICS is developing a 2.5-acre IT Park Annex Phase II and a larger 36-acre IT SEZ. In Mangaluru, a 3.25-acre IT Park at Blueberry Hill, Derebail is being developed, while a 3.48-acre IT Park is planned in Mysuru.

These projects are intended to create technology, employment and business opportunities outside Bengaluru, with public-private partnership and DFBOT models planned for some developments.

Bringing AI and digital services closer to people

KEONICS is also expanding its role as a technology partner for the government through IT consulting, system integration, infrastructure management, procurement and technical workforce deployment.

Its KEONEXT digital marketplace is designed to streamline government-to-government procurement and service delivery across ICT products, IT services, infrastructure, training and technical resources.

At the same time, the organisation is modernising its skilling programmes and Digital Education platform for students and working professionals.

One of its newer initiatives is the KEO AI PC, a Made-in-Karnataka AI-enabled computing product aimed at making AI tools more accessible to students and learners. The planned rollout covers 2,222 KEO AI PCs across 239 taluks and 31 Model Residential Schools, with on-device AI capabilities designed to support digital learning and AI literacy.

“KEONICS has constantly evolved with the needs of Karnataka,” said Sharath Kumar Bache Gowda, Chairman, KEONICS. “Our focus now is to strengthen technology infrastructure, create opportunities beyond Bengaluru, expand skilling and make emerging technologies more accessible.”

Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said KEONICS had been part of Karnataka’s transformation into a global technology destination and would have a role in ensuring technology infrastructure and opportunities reach more parts of the state.

Priyank Kharge described KEONICS as an important execution arm of Karnataka’s technology ecosystem, covering areas from IT infrastructure and services to skilling, digital governance and emerging technologies.

As KEONICS enters its sixth decade, its next chapter is less about building another Electronic City and more about creating a wider network of technology hubs, skills and digital services across Karnataka.