Startup innovation on display as KAN Demo Day comes to Mysuru

Science and Technology Entrepreneurs Park (SJCE-STEP), the innovation and incubation arm of JSS Science and Technology University (JSSSTU), in collaboration with Jain Launchpad, is organising the Demo Day of the Karnataka Acceleration Network (KAN) — Startup Pitch Cohort 1 on Saturday at 10 a.m. at the R.P. Singhania Auditorium on JSS Technical Institutions campus here.

KAN aims to strengthen the State’s startup ecosystem by bringing together leading accelerators, mentors, and investors to support growth-stage startups across sectors like DeepTech, HealthTech, AgriTech, FinTech, and ClimateTech. Through structured mentorship, market access, and investor connect, KAN aims to help over 300 startups scale from idea to impact across Karnataka’s key innovation clusters, the organisers said.

This initiative, supported by the Karnataka government; Department of Electronics, IT&BT; and the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) seeks to connect growth-stage startups with investors, mentors, and accelerators while promoting innovation beyond Bengaluru — towards tier-2 and tier-3 innovation hubs like Mysuru.

The event will feature 18 high-potential startups from across the State presenting their innovations before a panel of leading investors and venture capitalists, a release said.

Participating startups include ProductDev Edge Pvt. Ltd. (MAYAI), Vruksh Innovations Pvt. Ltd., Na Bhutho Na Bhavishyathi Tech Pvt. Ltd., and others.

The Investor Spotlight for Demo Day includes participation from leading venture firms and angel networks such as Capital-A, FreeFlow Venture Builders, 3One4 Capital, Fundamental VC, Excelso Technologies, MHD Ventures, NR Group, Paipal Ventures LLP, The Chennai Angels, SriPabha Partners, Venture Catalyst, Infopine, and many other angel investors, the release added.

The initiative is supported by a network of ecosystem partners, including TiE Mysuru, CII, Young Indians (Yi), Mysore Entrepreneurs Forum, Bherunda Foundation, SparkleCine, IIMB NSRCEL, and Pratyagra Foundation, reflecting a collective effort to build a robust innovation landscape in Karnataka, the organisers added.

Through this Demo Day, KAN aims to provide a launchpad for startups emerging from regional innovation hubs, encouraging investment readiness, visibility, and ecosystem integration across the State’s growing tech clusters, according to the release.