Current Affairs - State - Discussion

Karnataka has launched the Local Economy Accelerator Programme (LEAP) with a budget of ₹1,000 crore over five years. The initiative aims to create 5 lakh jobs and develop startup ecosystems beyond Bengaluru by supporting emerging tech clusters across the state, including Mysuru‑Chamarajanagar, Mangaluru‑Udupi, and Hubbali‑Belagavi‑Dharwad. LEAP provides infrastructure, funding, mentorship, and skill-building opportunities to startups from schools to global markets. The programme intends to distribute innovation more evenly across Karnataka, strengthen regional economies, and reduce migration pressures to major cities, positioning the state as a hub for sustainable, inclusive technological growth.