Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Aug 9: The Silicon Beach Program (SBP) launched the ‘Homecoming’ platform at Cuboid, wrkwrk Mindspace, Yeyyadi, on Saturday, August 9. The event was inaugurated by MP Capt Brijesh Chowta. This initiative aims to support experienced professionals in returning to coastal Karnataka, helping them rediscover thriving careers and a better quality of life in the region they once called home.
MP Capt Brijesh Chowta said, “Thanks to the ‘Homecoming’ initiative, many myths about Mangaluru will be busted today. Recently, a survey ranked Mangaluru as one of the safest cities. Unfortunately, those who do not live here often magnify minor issues and spread negative narratives across the country, some even making it a paid profession. Now, it is up to us. We need more voices like Rohith Bhat to share the real story and spirit of Mangaluru.”
He added, “I truly believe that Mangalureans can return and establish successful enterprises here, offering solutions not just locally but globally. Rohith Bhat has created the ‘Homecoming’ platform. According to a survey, 95% of respondents expressed a desire to return to Mangaluru if given the right opportunity. We need to amplify this message further, perhaps at an event in Bengaluru.”
“This is the collective spirit we need to foster. Mangaluru has always found opportunities even in times of crisis,” Chowta emphasized.
He also said, “I recently wrote an article on how places like Mangaluru are being wrongly branded. Just two months ago, attempts were made to portray the city as if it’s the epicentre of crime. That’s far from the truth. We need to hear and share more positive stories. We have built great things in Mangaluru and have the potential to do even more. ‘Acche din’ (better days) are coming to Mangaluru.”
Shyam Prasad Hebbar, chief people’s officer at UnifyCX, said, “There was a time when lack of opportunity was a major concern, but that’s no longer the case. More than 250 companies have now emerged, significantly improving the opportunity landscape in Mangaluru.”
Responding to a media query, Rohith Bhat noted, “There is now a clear intent and a strong surge in enquiries for larger setups in Mangaluru. The momentum is real, and it is accelerating.”
SBP convenor and founder of wrkwrk, 99Games, and Robosoft, Rohith Bhat, said, “Over 40 new companies have set up operations here in the past two years, creating over 8,000 jobs. With even more opportunities on the horizon, now is the perfect time for experienced professionals to make the move to the Silicon Beach of India. In a recent survey conducted with over 2,000 global respondents to measure the propensity of seasoned professionals with coastal Karnataka connections to return to their roots, over 95% expressed clear interest in returning if suitable opportunities exist. As more companies shift to the Silicon Beach of India, they are looking to hire experienced professionals. This platform will help such companies quickly fill those roles and scale faster. Many experienced professionals working in metros are tired of traffic, water, and pollution issues that are seriously degrading their quality of life. If the right opportunities exist, they will consider shifting back to a familiar region.”
Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, CEO of KDEM, added, “The Silicon Beach of India momentum is impressive and should be replicated across the nation. As an important pillar of the Karnataka government’s Beyond Bengaluru mission, this Homecoming initiative is transformational and unique. The goal is to grow the local digital economy and create more opportunities for talent to be retained in the cluster. As more companies realize the talent advantages of the region, they will seek experienced professionals with a local touch, and this platform aids in that. Many professionals want to reconnect with their roots and make a lasting impact in the communities that shaped them. Each returning professional can easily mentor and employ another 15–25 fresh engineers or graduates, allowing talent to stay where they belong. The Government of Karnataka and KDEM’s partnership and support for such cluster acceleration programmes will always be there as a co-host. We have enabled over 40 new companies to set up operations here in the past two years, creating over 8,000 jobs. With even more opportunities ahead, now is the perfect time for experienced professionals to make the move to the Silicon Beach of India.”
Notable attendees included president of CII Mangaluru Nataraj Hegde, secretary of KCCI Ashwini Pai Maroor, and co-founder and CTO of Unicourt Prashanth Shenoy.
About the Silicon Beach Program
The Silicon Beach Program (SBP), a Section-8 company, is a collective of like-minded individuals from diverse fields, pooling resources to promote the economic growth of coastal Karnataka by using the technology industry as a growth catalyst.
Supported by the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) and TiE Mangaluru, the Silicon Beach Program brings together industry leaders, entrepreneurs, NRIs, and policymakers to accelerate the region’s economic growth through technological innovation.
The programme aims to develop the Karnataka coast, starting from Mangaluru and extending 300 km along the coastal belt, into the Silicon Beach of India. SBP is working on a framework to build the region’s future while preserving its culture and natural heritage. It seeks to transform the region from an education hub into a technology hub by enhancing local IT resources, talent, and infrastructure to deliver world-class services and products. This will offer significant cost benefits to companies worldwide, thereby kick-starting a new era of growth for the region.
The initiative is powered by a strategic partnership with the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (an initiative under the government of Karnataka).
Website: www.siliconbeachprogram.com/homecoming