Bengaluru is now the #1 city in India for funding of women-led startups. A recent report revealed that women-founded companies based in Bengaluru have secured over $79 billion USD in total funding. This is higher than funding in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai. The number indicates how well positioned Bengaluru is to continue growing in the startup space.
According to the report, tech companies hire between 150,000 and 200,000 tech workers each year. That is 40-45% of all tech jobs in India. Of all the artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) talent in India, Karnataka accounts for 50%. The same goes for nearly half of all the engineers with global capabilities working in India; as such, it is no wonder that Bengaluru is currently the number one destination for both investors and founders.
Between 2020 and 2023, Bengaluru recorded the highest number of patents in India. This includes 503 patents in computer science, 473 in electronics, and 441 in communications. In addition, it is estimated that over 350,000 individuals work in chip design and testing, as well as in embedded systems. These industries support women who want to become entrepreneurs by providing the resources they need.
There are 16 “centres of excellence” in Bengaluru that focus on different areas, including artificial intelligence (AI), fintech, and quantum computing. The city also has over 50 technology incubators. These programs help women founders get training, mentors, and investor connections. This support helps accelerate the growth of women-led startups.
Siddarth Pai, founding partner at 3One4 Capital, said, “We have the highest number of unicorns on a per capita basis in India. Twenty percent of people in Bangalore work in software. With startups included, the number goes to 25 percent.” He also said, “The most valuable real estate today is your phone screen. Much of what is on it was built in Bangalore.”
Investors mention that Bengaluru is strong in IT, biotech, and deep tech. The report used the terms IT, BT, and DT to show this mix. The city gives women founders access to strong tech teams, fast hiring, and better funding. Also, Experts believe that Bengaluru’s rise is not random. The Karnataka government is driving the city’s growth by building roads, establishing research centers, and promoting startup policies. Many women founders said this support helps them start companies without fear.
For India’s startup world, these numbers show a clear trend. Women entrepreneurs are getting more space, more funding, and more support. Bengaluru has become the center of this change. The city provides women-led startups with stronger networks, deeper talent, and better growth opportunities.
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