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HUBBALLI:

A REALM OF OPPORTUNITIES

The “Smart City, Hubballi as known since Jan 2016 has positively projected itself as the growing commercial hub past decade
and has always showcased strides made in industrial development. After unravelling the history of the twin city, its time to
shine a spotlight on the growing Hubballi of today. Hubballi is blend of discreet charm, multi-lingual culture, and a
cosmopolitan outlook. Excerpts from the recent State surveys held, it is evident that Hubli has been uncharted over the
years until few entrpreneurs and dynamic young leaders initiated to bring some change in the community.

THE PRESENT SCENARIO
Hubballi is home to a wide cluster of industries and has more than one lakh small and medium industries and the number is
just growing. To facilitate the growth & address the issues and needs of its industries Govt of Karnataka has set up various
institutions like District Industries Centre (DIC), Karnataka Small Scale Industries Development Corporation (KSSIDC),
Small Industries Development Corporation (SIDCO) etc. In midst of Monotonous growth the city encountered
revolutionary change with growing entrepreneurs who took very traditional businesses to a whole new level with a
technological twist. The late 2000’s in actual was the period where the untapped Hubli finally breathed the beginning of an
ecosystem where even a basic as a telephone connection and electricity was once a challenge and uttering the word
“Technology” was an act of valor.

FORESIGHT INTO GROWTH
Years ago, Hubli was largely unmapped in sight of development and growth but because of the strategic location of the
region and industry infrastructure one could see the potential with growing eductational institutions and rise of SME’s. This
enabled core of investment funds pouring into the twin city. Admist opportunities, challeges were aplenty especially for
unconventional ideas. All this changed when a Hubli born- Boston residing entrpreneur’s visited Hubli. His vision to give
back something to birth town led to setting up think tank in Hubli by name Deshpande Foundation, Social Entrepreneurship
Council. The council supports start up ideas from funding to implemention process. So far the council has propagated
around 3000 ideas and is still growing. The council was instrumental in bringing huge business networking communities to
city. TiE- The Indus Entrpreneurs, a biggest business gala to present ideas and intiate networking. Events like TechPark,
TiEcon, Global Investors Meet pave the way for investments. It is such events where the potential of city is displayed.
Conventional businesses are now realising the revolutionary powers of technology and are embracing it more than ever
which is encouraging a larger sect of the population to take the entrepreneurial plunge. Adding on, are installation of IT park,
where around 7 IT companies are stationed with strong clientele play significant role in growing IT market in North
Karnataka region. Now slowly the ecosystem in growing at rapid phase with the IT major Infosys has established its
operations in the city. The Deshpande Foundation is setting up the largest incubation center of the country at Hubli to nuture
growing entrepreneurial culture. With these two recent developments the days are not far when Hubli upholds its position
as IT destination in Bangalore dominated IT industry.

1 POWER OF JITO HUBLI