Karnataka is set to launch its second state-backed bioincubator in Ballari, following the flagship Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre located in Electronics City.
Planned as a hub for translational research and entrepreneurship in life sciences, the Ballari facility will focus on regenerative agriculture, healthcare, and climate sustainability, while also addressing soil and environmental restoration in mining-affected regions, officials said.
The project is being driven by the Department of Electronics, IT, and Biotechnology in partnership with the Karnataka Mining Environment Restoration Corporation (KMERC), with funding sourced from KMERC’s CSR pool dedicated to reviving areas impacted by mining activities in Ballari and nearby districts.
Spread across four acres in Kolagallu near Shanti Nagar, the proposed centre will span 50,000 sq ft, featuring laboratories, office spaces, shared instrumentation facilities, and allied infrastructure. Tenders have already been floated to engage architectural and engineering consultants for the DPR, as well as project management oversight.
Modelled on the Bengaluru centre, the Ballari incubator is expected to replicate its success as a leading public-sector bioinnovation hub. The Bengaluru facility has also begun exploring partnerships with Ballari Medical College & Research Centre for collaborative research in oncology, tuberculosis, and pulmonary diseases, alongside startup engagement and training of medical students.
Jointly established by the Karnataka government and the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, the Bengaluru incubator has provided infrastructure, mentorship, and funding access to over 450 start-ups, with more than 100 graduating successfully. It has facilitated nearly ₹500 crore in fund-raising, created over 500 jobs, supported 71 patent applications, and helped launch 45 products.
In the 2025–26 state budget, ₹57 crore was earmarked to restore the fire-ravaged Bengaluru centre, which lost labs and research material in a blaze on January 21, 2024.