Vertex CXO Conclave focuses on positioning Mangaluru as growth hub

Vertex CXO Conclave focuses on positioning Mangaluru as growth hub

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, May 3, 2026: The Vertex CXO Conclave 2026, organised by Vertex Workspaces at the Dr TMA Pai International Convention Centre, brought together industry leaders, policymakers and senior executives to discuss opportunities for business expansion beyond Bengaluru.

Officials from the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) and Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS) outlined policy measures aimed at encouraging investment in non-metro regions. Rahul Sharanappa Sankanur, managing director of KITS, along with Samir Venugopal, Bharath Chandra BK and Vaishak Pai from KDEM, highlighted incentives related to infrastructure, talent development and regulatory support.

Vinayak Palanakar, CMO of Vertex Workspaces, said the company aims to go beyond providing office spaces by helping businesses access government incentives and address challenges related to hiring and talent acquisition.

Speakers highlighted Mangaluru’s strengths, including its educational institutions, improving infrastructure and growing IT and global capability centre ecosystem. However, they noted that talent retention, ecosystem maturity and industry collaboration continue to require focused attention.

Kamal Karanth, co-founder of Xpheno, said the Mangaluru-Udupi region has a steady pool of entry- and mid-level talent, but availability of senior professionals remains limited. He stressed the need for structured hiring strategies and stronger local ecosystems to reduce migration to larger cities.

Gurudatta Shenoy, managing partner of Vertex Workspaces, said the initiative would continue through leadership forums, hiring platforms and policy engagement efforts to support companies expanding into emerging markets.