Samsung Launches Innovation Campus 2026 in Karnataka to Train 2,000 Youth in AI Skills

• Launched in presence of Shri Basavaraj Rayareddy, Hon’ble Minister for Higher Education, Government of Karnataka at Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Industry and Commerce (FKCCI)
• Participants will receive industry-relevant AI education, hands-on training, expert mentoring and practical learning opportunities
• Karnataka programme contributes to Samsung’s commitment to empower 20,000 youth across 10 states through Samsung Innovation Campus 2026

Samsung India today announced the launch of Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) 2026 in Karnataka to train 2000 youth with industry-relevant Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills. The launch of the flagship global education and skilling programme was attended by Shri Basavaraj Rayareddy, Hon’ble Minister for Higher Education, Government of Karnataka, as Chief Guest along with senior academicians from Nrupathunga University, Bengaluru.

Launched in partnership with Nrupathunga University, Bengaluru, the programme supports Karnataka’s ambition to build an AI-native ecosystem by expanding access to practical AI education and helping develop a future-ready technology workforce. In Karnataka, the programme has trained over 3000 people to date.

About Samsung Innovation Campus

Samsung Innovation Campus is a global education programme that empowers young people with skills for emerging technology careers. Now in its fourth year in India, SIC provides youth aged 18–25 with hands-on AI training, enabling participants to apply their learning to practical challenges while strengthening their career readiness.

The Karnataka launch comes as the state strengthens its focus on AI-led innovation. Samsung’s commitment to train 2,000 youth in the state this year will bring industry-relevant AI learning closer to aspiring students and contribute to the development of Karnataka’s technology talent pool. The initiative forms part of Samsung’s broader commitment to empower 20,000 youth across 10 states through SIC 2026.

Shubham Mukherjee, Head, Corporate Communications & CSR, Samsung South West Asia, said: "India has one of the world’s largest pools of young talent, and the opportunity before us is to equip this generation with the skills to shape an increasingly AI-driven economy. As technology transforms industries and creates new possibilities, building future-ready capabilities at scale will be critical to India’s next phase of growth. Through Samsung Innovation Campus, we want to help expand access to emerging technology skills and enable young people to become active contributors to India’s innovation economy. As Samsung marks 30 years in India, investing in the potential of young Indians remains an important part of our commitment to the country."

Shri Basavaraj Rayareddy, Hon’ble Minister for Higher Education, Government of Karnataka, said: "With Artificial Intelligence transforming industries and creating new opportunities, developing a strong pool of skilled young talent will be critical to Karnataka’s continued leadership in technology and innovation. Samsung Innovation Campus complements the state’s efforts to build an AI-native ecosystem by giving youth access to practical, industry-relevant learning. Such collaborations between academia and industry can equip our students with the capabilities they need to participate meaningfully in the opportunities being created by emerging technologies."

Strengthening India’s Future AI Talent

SIC 2026 is being implemented in collaboration with the Electronics Sector Skills Council of India (ESSCI) and the Telecom Sector Skill Council (TSSC). The programme focuses on industry-relevant AI and Generative AI education through structured learning, practical application and mentorship.

In 2025, SIC trained more than 20,000 participants across India, with women accounting for 48% of participation. The 2026 edition builds on this foundation by extending advanced technology education to more young people and helping develop skills relevant to India’s rapidly evolving digital economy.

Guided by its global CSR vision, “Together for Tomorrow! Enabling People,” Samsung India focuses its citizenship initiatives on Smart Education and Skilling Youth, providing young people with access to knowledge, skills and opportunities that can help them shape their future.

SIC forms part of Samsung’s wider efforts to strengthen India’s skilling and innovation ecosystem. Alongside Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, which enables young people to develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges, and Samsung DOST, which builds industry-ready skills for sales and technical service roles, the programme reflects Samsung’s long-term commitment to empowering India’s next generation through education, skills and technology.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, digital signage, smartphones, wearables, tablets, home appliances and network systems, as well as memory, system LSI and foundry. Samsung is also advancing medical imaging technologies, HVAC solutions and robotics, while creating innovative automotive and audio products through Harman. With its SmartThings ecosystem, open collaboration with partners, and integration of AI across its portfolio, Samsung delivers a seamless and intelligent connected experience. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at Samsung Certified Re-Newed Brings Galaxy S26 Series to More Customers

India’s Data Centre Boom Sparks Power, Cyber and Operational Risk Concerns: Howden Report

Report Title - Howden’s Insuring the Data Centre Supercycle Report

• Power consumed by data centres has risen 68-fold since 2016, while expansion at live sites is increasing construction and business interruption risk
• More than 90% of India's data centres have redundant capacity, yet non-damage outages and interconnected tenants continue to create insurance gaps

India's data centre expansion is creating concentrated risks across power, construction, water, cyber and operations, according to new research from Howden, the global insurance broker. The findings call for an integrated approach from site selection and design through construction and operation to build resilience and secure insurance.

Power infrastructure as the biggest risk factor

Howden’s analysis identifies power infrastructure as the biggest risk factor. The challenge is not just generation capacity but reliable grid connectivity, substation capacity and redundancy at each location.

Between 2016 and 2025, the power consumed by data centres built in India grew 68-fold, at a 60% CAGR as per the recent S&P data. The demand is forecast to reach 57 TWh by 2030. Increasingly, hyperscale campuses are looking to on-site, behind-the-meter generation to ensure a reliable supply. This changes the underwriting risk profile and increases the importance of location-specific power resilience assessments. Reliable, efficient supply is a commercial priority and energy accounts for about 65% of operating costs. Power resilience is especially crucial in these markets, with Maharashtra, Telangana and Karnataka accounting for approximately 70% of the capacity.

Construction at live sites raises business interruption risk

India added 7 million square feet of data centre space in 2025, with construction volumes growing at a 37% CAGR since 2016, the S&P data indicates. The average size of a new facility rose from 59,000 square feet in 2016 to 276,000 square feet in 2025, concentrating greater asset values at individual sites.

Between 2026 and 2030, planned expansion at existing data centres is equivalent to 78% of their current footprint. Construction alongside sensitive, high-value operations increases the risk of physical damage and business interruption, particularly during testing and commissioning. Construction and operational risks therefore need to be assessed within a single programme.

Redundancy does not remove outage and cyber risk

More than 90% of Indian data centres have redundancy built into their UPS, generator and cooling systems. However, outages still occur, often because of system failures that cause no physical damage and may not trigger traditional insurance. The market is developing solutions such as parametric cover, particularly for retail and wholesale providers. These providers account for 86% of India's data centres and carry uptime commitments to multiple customers.

These facilities also face the greatest systemic cyber exposure. A single compromise can affect the systems and workloads of hundreds of thousands of tenant organisations, while interconnected tenants increase the risk of lateral movement. Cyber risk therefore needs to be considered alongside property, power and operational exposures.

Water and Environment risks need early attention

Most data centres are located in urban centres where water availability is already under pressure. Cooling a 1 MW facility can require around 25.5 million litres of water annually. Water use, renewable power sourcing, energy efficiency, power usage effectiveness (PUE) and carbon footprint should form part of early site planning and risk assessment, rather than being addressed after construction.

Amit Agarwal, CEO, Howden India, said: "India's data centre story is not only about adding capacity. Power reliability, construction at operating sites, cyber concentration and water stress can all affect uptime. These risks need to be identified early and managed together, with insurance designed around the exposures that remain. This will help operators protect their assets and avoid gaps in cover as the sector expands."

Alongside risk transfer, the report highlights the need to build water and environment considerations into data centre planning from the start. This includes renewable power sourcing, energy efficiency and PUE, water availability and consumption, and the carbon footprint of large campuses. It also points to gaps in existing policy and insurance frameworks: water use is not adequately addressed, non-damage outages may fall outside traditional cover, and construction, power, cyber and operational risks are often treated separately. Closing these gaps will require stronger site-level risk assessment and more integrated insurance programmes.

Source: Howden analysis of NOAA and 451 Research by S&P Global

About Howden

Howden is a global insurance intermediary group with employee ownership at its heart. Founded in 1994, it provides insurance broking, reinsurance broking and underwriting services and solutions to clients ranging from individuals to the largest multinational companies. The group operates in 57 countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, the USA, Australia, and New Zealand, employing 24,000 people and handling $51bn of premium on behalf of clients.

Website: www.howdengroupholdings.com

Tata Electronics and Nexperia Forge Semiconductor Alliance to Drive Innovation and Supply Chain Resilience

Nexperia and Tata Electronics have entered into a wide-ranging partnership covering wafer fabrication, assembly and testing, technology collaboration, and innovation. This alliance sets the stage for long-term cooperation across the semiconductor value chain, supporting both companies’ growth ambitions while advancing India’s role as a globally competitive hub.

Nexperia is a Netherlands headquartered global semiconductor company, known for producing essential components that power virtually every electronic design worldwide. It ships over 100 billion units annually and plays a critical role in automotive, industrial, consumer, and mobile applications.

Through their front‑end manufacturing collaboration, Nexperia and Tata Electronics are preparing to produce Nexperia’s MOSFET portfolio at Tata’s upcoming 300mm semiconductor Fab in Dholera, Gujarat.

Nexperia is a cornerstone of the global semiconductor industry, combining European engineering heritage with worldwide manufacturing capacity. Its partnership with Tata Electronics leverages this expertise to strengthen India’s semiconductor ecosystem.

🗣️ Leadership Perspectives

• Achim Kempe, COO, Nexperia: “This collaboration goes beyond manufacturing. By combining Nexperia’s semiconductor expertise with Tata Electronics’ expanding capabilities, we are building a long-term partnership that drives innovation, growth, and supply resilience.”
• Dr. Randhir Thakur, CEO & MD, Tata Electronics: “We are delighted to partner with Nexperia to manufacture their products at our facilities in Dholera and Jagiroad. This comprehensive partnership represents a major step in building a globally competitive semiconductor ecosystem in India.”
• Stefan Tilger, Interim CEO, Nexperia: “Our collaboration with Tata Electronics merges complementary strengths in technology, manufacturing, and innovation, reinforcing our commitment to a resilient and globally balanced network.”

Strategic Importance

• India’s Semiconductor Leap: Tata Electronics is investing USD 14 billion to establish India’s first commercial 300mm Fab in Dholera, Gujarat and an indigenous assembly and test facility in Jagiroad, Assam.
• Global Supply Chain Resilience: The alliance diversifies production and strengthens supply chain flexibility.
• EU–India Cooperation: Aligns with growing technology and trade ties between India and the European Union.

Partnership Scope Overview

Focus Area	Details	Impact
Front-end Wafer Fabrication	Production of Nexperia’s MOSFET portfolio at Dholera Fab	Anchors India’s semiconductor manufacturing
Back-end Assembly & Test	Jagiroad, Assam packaging facility	Strengthens indigenous back-end capability
Technology Development	Joint R&D and innovation initiatives	Accelerates ecosystem growth

Industry Impact

• Global Demand Alignment: Addresses rising semiconductor needs in automotive, industrial, consumer, energy, communications, and infrastructure sectors.
• India’s Positioning: Reinforces India’s emergence as a semiconductor hub within the global value chain.
• Customer Benefits: Ensures scalable production pathways and resilient supply chains for Nexperia’s global customers.

About the Companies

• Nexperia: Netherlands-based, shipping over 100 billion products annually, specializing in discrete, power, and analog semiconductors.
• Tata Electronics: Established in 2020, with operations across Gujarat, Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, plus offices in the US, Taiwan, and Singapore.

 In summary: This $14 billion partnership combines Nexperia’s global expertise with Tata Electronics’ manufacturing ambitions, creating a resilient, innovation-driven semiconductor ecosystem in India.

Tata Trusts Proposes ₹25,000 Crore Liquidity Plan for SP Group Stake in Tata Sons

At the Board meeting of Tata Sons Private Limited ("Tata Sons") held today, Chairman, Tata Trusts, Mr. Noel N. Tata, tabled a proposal received from the Shapoorji Pallonji Group ("SP Group") regarding monetization of a portion of the Tata Sons shareholding held by Sterling Investments Corporation Private Limited ("SICPL") and Cyrus Investments Private Limited ("CIPL"). This was in the context of meetings and discussions held earlier between Mr. Noel N Tata, Mr. N. Chandrasekaran and Mr. Shapoor Mistry.

The transaction envisages a sale of such number of Tata Sons shares held by SICPL and CIPL as would, at a minimum valuation, as determined in accordance with Rule 11UA of the Income Tax Rules 1962, yield a gross consideration of Rs. 25,000 crores. It was also indicated that the following structure would be acceptable to the SP Group:

• The share buyout would be carried out in two tranches over an eighteen-month period;
• Tata Sons would initiate a selective capital reduction process through the NCLT;
• Valuation of Tata Shares would be done as per Income-tax fair value.

Mr. Noel N. Tata suggested that various avenues could be used for the purpose of raising the funds required for this purpose, including from internal cashflows; sale of listed shares; bringing in an investor into some of the newer businesses and listing, upon an offer for sale, of some of the businesses. He requested the Board to take the necessary steps for initiating the NCLT process and authorise the operating team of Tata Sons and the Tata Trusts to continue discussions with the SP Group, and the bankers, and report to the Board.

This is in continuation and reaffirmation of the Tata Trusts' desire to offer a fair and equitable solution to the SP Group in respect of their holdings in Tata Sons.

About Tata Trusts

Since its inception in 1892, Tata Trusts, India's oldest philanthropic organisation, have played a pioneering role in bringing about an enduring difference in the lives of the communities it serves. Guided by the principles and the vision of proactive philanthropy of the Founder, Jamsetji Tata, the Trusts' purpose is to catalyse development in the areas of health, nutrition, education, water, sanitation and hygiene, livelihood, digital transformation, migration and urban habitat, social justice and inclusion, environment and energy, skill development, sports and arts and culture. The Trusts' programmes,

achieved through direct implementation, partnerships and grant making, are marked by innovations relevant to the country.

For more information please visit: www.tatatrusts.org

How Bangalore’s Startup Ecosystem Is Driving Demand for Flexible Office Spaces

Welcome to India’s technology capital - Bangalore. Founders in the early stage often test ideas with rapidly scaling teams. Ambitious entrepreneurs tend to meet enthusiastic investors and global companies are already building future-proof teams that can get things done. However, one shift is noticeable amidst all of this: Rigid office leases don’t work anymore, smart founders are opting for the more flexible managed or coworking office spaces to maximize their potential for growth.

Choosing an office space is way past being just about having enough desks, chairs and a business address. You now have the option to consider your business agility, scalability, hiring process, team culture, revenue flow and a lot more while shortlisting your next office space, made possible through coworking and managed office spaces.

That explains the rising demand for flexible office spaces in Bangalore. Managed office spaces, coworking office spaces, leadership cabins and the freedom to customise your office space, all under one roof.

Why Bangalore’s Startup Ecosystem Needs Flexible Office Spaces

Bangalore’s startup ecosystem is built on speed. A startup in the modern era can start with a team as small as 5 members, grow to 30 after the first funding, expand to 100 members in a few years and might have to restructure their team again based on market highs and lows. Traditional offices are not built with this intention.

If we were to list out the problems in choosing a conventional office space, here are a few:

• Long, un-alterable lease terms
• Hefty deposit sums
• Interior Design and Setup
• Purchasing office furniture
• Continuous end–to–end operational supervision

Any startup will struggle to focus their attention on product development, sales, hiring and customer acquisition when they spend most of their time in operational activities rather than outsource it to a workspace provider.

In a city like Bangalore, this matters more than ever because the city’s startup ecosystem is tightly tied to technology. Businesses with unpredictable cycles like SaaS, fintech, artificial intelligence, digital services, consulting, etc., need client-ready meeting rooms, cabins or pods for their team members, and a good central location for easy commute as well. When it comes to hybrid teams, they might prefer flexible seating rather than fixed capacity seating.

This is exactly where coworking and managed office spaces become valuable.

Bangalore Is Leading India’s Office Space Demand

The rise in flexible office demand is not happening in isolation. Bangalore continues to remain one of India’s strongest office markets.
In Q1 2026, Bengaluru led India’s office leasing market with 5.3 million sq. ft. of office space leased and a 24.8% share of national leasing activity. The city also recorded strong demand from Global Capability Centres (GCC’s), technology firms, and enterprise occupiers.

On a national level, India’s Grade A office leasing in the top seven cities touched 18.3 million sq. ft. in just the first quarter of 2026. This means a 15% annual growth with just Bengaluru and Hyderabad accounting for almost half of the total leasing activity.
For startups, this opens up a path for reconsiderations. They need the advantages of a professional office without the burden of traditional real estate complexity.

Startup Funding Is Creating New Workspace Demand

Strong, reputed investors have had their eyes on the Bangalore startup ecosystem for a while now. In the first financial quarter of 2026, Bengaluru was leading India’s startup funding race with over $823 million raised with the help of 89 deals, way ahead of Mumbai, Delhi and other metropolitan cities.

Funding directly influences workspace demand. When startups raise capital, they often expand teams, hire leadership, build sales functions, and create stronger internal systems. This is when many founders begin looking for more structured office environments.

But funded startups are also careful about the runway. They do not want to lock large amounts of capital into deposits, interiors, and office setup. They need workspaces that make them look professional to their clientele, take care of daily operational activities and allow them to scale without hindrance.

Flexible office spaces in Bangalore are slowly becoming the new natural choice for startup founders.

Why Startups Prefer Flexible Office Spaces Over Traditional Offices

1. Lower Upfront Cost

Traditional office setup can demand heavy capital even before the team starts working. Deposits, furniture, interiors, electricity, internet, housekeeping, security, repairs, and compliance can quickly become a financial burden.

Flexible office spaces reduce this upfront pressure. Startups can access fully equipped workspaces with meeting rooms, internet, maintenance, reception support, and common amenities included.

For early-stage founders, this helps protect the runway and keeps capital focused on growth.

2. Faster Move-In Time

In a competitive startup market, speed matters. A company that needs three months to set up an office loses valuable time. Flexible office spaces allow teams to move in faster and start working almost immediately.

This is especially useful for startups that have just raised funding, onboarded a new project team, or signed an enterprise client and need a stable workspace quickly.

3. Easier Team Scaling

A startup’s team size can change quickly. Hiring may happen in phases. Some teams may work hybrid. Some departments may need separate spaces. Traditional leases do not easily support this.

Flexible office spaces allow companies to start with a smaller setup and expand when needed. This makes them ideal for startups moving from 10 to 30 members, 30 to 100 members, or even larger teams that require managed office space.
For growing teams, a scalable managed office can offer the right balance between flexibility and control. You can also read Beginest’s detailed guide on choosing a workspace for a 30–500 member startup team.

4. Better Locations Without Full Leasing Risk

Bangalore’s startup teams often want to be close to talent, clients, investors, metro connectivity, restaurants, and business hubs. Locations like Indiranagar, MG Road, JP Nagar, Koramangala, and Central Bangalore are attractive because they support both work and accessibility.
But taking a traditional office in a prime location can be expensive and complicated.

Flexible office spaces help startups access premium business locations without committing to a full long-term lease.

Beginest Workspaces offers coworking and managed office spaces in Bangalore across key business-friendly locations for teams that need accessibility, flexibility, and professional infrastructure.

5. Less Operational Distraction for Founders

Founders should be spending time on customers, product, hiring, and growth. But in traditional offices, they often get pulled into operational issues: internet problems, furniture changes, maintenance delays, pantry issues, vendor coordination, and office repairs.
Managed office spaces reduce this distraction. The workspace partner handles day-to-day office operations while the team focuses on work.

For startups, this is not just convenience. It directly improves productivity.

How Coworking Spaces Support Early-Stage Startups

Coworking spaces are especially useful for early-stage startups, freelancers, consultants, remote teams, and small businesses. They provide a professional setup without the cost of a private office.

A coworking space gives founders access to desks, meeting rooms, internet, community areas, and business infrastructure. It also creates opportunities to meet other entrepreneurs, service providers, potential partners, and future team members. 

In Bangalore, where networking is a major part of startup growth, coworking spaces can support both productivity and community.
Beginest has already explored this in its blog on why coworking spaces in Bangalore are growing fast, especially for entrepreneurs, remote teams, and startups looking for flexible workspace options.

Why Managed Office Spaces Are Becoming the Next Step for Growing Startups

As startups grow, their workspace needs become more defined. A small coworking setup may work for the first few months, but a 30-member, 100-member, or 300-member team needs more structure.

This is where managed office spaces become important.

A managed office gives startups a private, branded, fully managed workspace without the headache of building and running the office themselves. The company gets the privacy and control of a traditional office while still enjoying the flexibility and operational support of a workspace partner.

Managed offices are useful when startups need:

• Dedicated private work areas
• Custom seating layouts
• Meeting and boardrooms
• Branding opportunities
• Access control
• Scalable team capacity