Vertex CXO Conclave 2026 highlights Mangaluru’s potential as a key growth hub beyond Bengaluru
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangaluru, April 28, 2026: The Vertex CXO Conclave 2026, hosted by city-based Vertex Workspaces, brought together industry leaders, policymakers and senior executives at the Dr. TMA Pai International Convention Centre on Friday evening, April 24, to explore opportunities for business expansion beyond Bengaluru and position Mangaluru as a strong destination for enterprise and technology-driven growth.
Senior officials from the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) and the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS) discussed policy frameworks aimed at promoting investments in non-metro regions. Rahul Sharanappa Sankanur, IAS, Managing Director of KITS, along with Samir Venugopal, Bharath Chandra B. K., and Vaishak Pai from KDEM, highlighted incentives related to infrastructure, talent development and regulatory support to encourage companies to expand beyond major urban centres.
Setting the tone for the conclave, Vinayak Palanakar, Chief Marketing Officer of Vertex Workspaces, said the company aims to move beyond being just a workspace provider and become a catalyst for business growth. He said Vertex is focused on creating an enabling environment where companies can scale with the right infrastructure and ecosystem support.
He further noted that Vertex intends to play a key role in helping businesses operating from its premises access government grants and incentives while also addressing major challenges such as recruitment and talent acquisition.
Speakers at the conclave highlighted Mangaluru’s advantages, including its strong educational ecosystem, improving infrastructure, and the growing presence of IT firms and Global Capability Centres (GCCs). However, they also pointed out that talent retention, ecosystem maturity and stronger industry collaboration remain areas that need sustained focus.
Sharing insights on workforce trends, Kamal Karanth, co-founder of Xpheno, observed that while the Mangaluru-Udupi region has a steady supply of entry- and mid-level professionals, the availability of senior-level talent continues to be a challenge. He stressed the importance of structured hiring strategies and stronger local ecosystems to reduce migration to larger cities.
The discussions also underlined that although awareness of government incentives is increasing, companies often need clearer guidance on processes and execution to effectively benefit from such schemes. Vertex reiterated its commitment to bridging this gap by actively assisting businesses within its ecosystem in navigating incentive frameworks and connecting with the right talent networks.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed during the event to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders and support business expansion in the region.
In his concluding remarks, Gurudatta Shenoy, Managing Partner of Vertex Workspaces, said the initiative would continue beyond the conclave through leadership forums, hiring platforms and policy engagement efforts aimed at supporting companies entering emerging markets.
The event also showcased Vertex Ashoka, a dedicated infrastructure initiative designed to support enterprise and GCC operations, further reinforcing Mangaluru’s growing profile as a preferred business destination.
With increasing emphasis on decentralisation and regional development, the Vertex CXO Conclave 2026 highlighted Mangaluru’s strong potential to play a significant role in Karnataka’s evolving technology and business landscape.