NEWS – ‘Yes Bengaluru’ is a city innovation challenge launched on July 8, 2025, by the Karnataka Department of Electronics and IT/BT, in collaboration with Deloitte and the World Economic Forum (WEF)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Bengaluru becomes the second global city after San Francisco to initiate such a startup-driven platform to address urban civic challenges.
• The initiative aims to make the city future-ready, sustainable, and liveable by involving startups in solving key civic issues.
• Problems to be addressed include air and noise pollution, waste management, sewage treatment, traffic congestion, mobility, green energy, and water conservation.
• The challenge will run for three years, with selected startup solutions implemented by government departments and civic bodies like BBMP.
• An MoU was signed during a US roadshow by a Karnataka delegation led by Sharath Bachegowda, Chairman of KEONICS.
• The initiative is not-for-profit, with Deloitte acting as the knowledge partner, assisting in formulating and launching challenges.
• ‘Yes SF’, the first such initiative in San Francisco (2023), was aligned with UN SDG 11 to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
• Karnataka also attracted ₹7,100 crore investment from ESDM companies and GCCs during the US roadshow.