Karnataka Launches ₹1,000 Crore LEAP Initiative to Boost Innovation and Jobs

The Karnataka government has unveiled the Local Economy Accelerator Program (LEAP), a ₹1,000 crore, five-year initiative aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship beyond Bengaluru. Targeting tier-2 and tier-3 cities such as Mysuru-Chamarajanagar, Mangaluru-Udupi, Hubballi-Belagavi-Dharwad, Tumakuru, Kalaburagi and Shivamogga, LEAP seeks to generate five lakh jobs by building robust startup ecosystems. The program comprises 16 strategic sub-programmes, including innovation labs, incubators, accelerators, prototype labs, hackathons, bootcamps, and digital clinics, covering the entire startup lifecycle.