Pai and Shetty Pitch Mangaluru as a New Home for Startups

Suniel Shetty, who proudly hails from Mangaluru, echoed Pai’s sentiment. He called the city “a blend of spiritual calm and tech energy,” saying it’s not just a business destination but a place where entrepreneurs can actually live well while creating meaningful ventures.

He believes Mangaluru’s balance of tradition and modernity could make it the next major startup magnet in the country.

Meanwhile, the ecosystem is quietly taking shape. Coworking hubs like Vertex, which recently welcomed Bose’s R&D centre, and WrkWrk are giving startups space to grow.

Networks such as TiE Mangaluru and the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) are connecting founders with mentors, investors, and government programs. Startups in fintech, EVs, agritech, and hospitality are already calling Mangaluru home, signaling a strong shift toward regional innovation.