An exclusive round table hosted by Vertex Managed Workspace in honour of John Maier, Chief executive officer (CEO) of Bose Professional, spotlighted Mangaluru’s emergence as a promising technology hub. The event, held on September 8 at Ajanta Business Centre, Bejai-Kapikad, brought together industry leaders, academics, and government representatives to explore the city’s potential for innovation and enterprise. Darshan H V, IAS, deputy commissioner (DC) of Dakshina Kannada district, presided over the session.
Maier, visiting Mangaluru to review Bose Professional’s newly established Global Capability Centre (GCC) at Vertex Treo, Kadri, praised the city’s ecosystem. He noted that Bose Professional has chosen Mangaluru for its first dedicated R&D centre outside its main headquarters in Massachusetts, USA, with a vision that extends far beyond research. After starting with a single employee, the team has grown to 25 members at Vertex Managed Workspace under the leadership of Namith Padmaraj, director (software engineering), Bose Professional. It is set to expand to 100 professionals within the coming year, contributing to global innovation in sound and futuristic products. “The energy and talent we see here confirm that choosing Mangaluru was the right decision,” he said.
DC Darshan highlighted the significance of GCCs in shaping Mangaluru’s digital future. Drawing from his past role in framing Karnataka’s first-of-its-kind GCC policy in India, he shared valuable insights and gave suggestions about Animation, Visual, Gaming and Comics (AVGC) sound technologies, based on his vast experience. “The presence of global companies like Bose Professional strengthens the tech ecosystem and adds value to growth. Karnataka’s Beyond Bengaluru initiative and proactive policies ensure Tier II cities like Mangaluru can attract and sustain high-value investments. The city’s entrepreneurial base is strong, and we are committed to extending all support and expertise to future GCC expansions,” he said.
Vertex Managed Workspace founders Gurudatta Shenoy, Mahesh Shetty, and Mangaldeep A R. welcomed Maier and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting global enterprises. “At Vertex Managed Workspace, our vision is to act as enablers and drive employment generation. We have supported over 35 organisations with over 2,000 hassle-free workspaces across 6+ premises in Mangaluru city, while facilitating global networking through hubs like Dubai,” said Gurudatta Shenoy.
The special invitees included Nittin Dargan (manager-GCC, Bose Professional), Commander Dr Anil Rana (director, Manipal Institute of Technology), Dr Ravi B (director, NITK), Rajendra Shenoy (director & CEO, L Code Technologies), Suyog Shetty (cofounder & CEO, Niveus Solutions), Mohammed Hanif (cofounder & CTO, Novigo Solutions), Brijesh Balakrishnan (global head, Cybersecurity Services, Infosys), Shivanand Shetty (senior director & business head, M Result Technologies), Kamal Karanth (cofounder, Xpheno), Mukesh S (Silicon Beach Programme), P B Ahmed Mudassar (vice president, KCCI), Chetan Dixit (vice president – Beyond Bengaluru, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission), Gaurav Punjabi (GM-sales & marketing, KDEM), Girish Shenoy (MicroGenesis TechSoft) and Michael Andrade (director, Lykora Consulting Services).
They shared perspectives highlighting Mangaluru’s strengths—its large number of educational institutions producing an industry-ready talent pool, low attrition, cost competitiveness, infrastructure, quality of life and a supportive ecosystem for entrepreneurship and global firms. They also noted the city’s unique culture, modern lifestyle, surfing and sporting opportunities, and overall convenience of living as additional factors making it an attractive destination for talent, investors and global enterprises.
During the event, Maier presented the ‘Emerging Homegrown Tech Company’ Award to Krop AI, received by its cofounder and CEO, Farish Anfal. The round table discussion was moderated by Johnson Tellis, CEO, Sahyadri College of Engineering and Management, with Ashish serving as master of ceremonies.
Bose Professional, a world leader in professional audio systems, is among the few multinational companies in its sector to set up an advanced unit in an emerging Indian cluster. The Mangaluru GCC provides advanced engineering and R&D support for future innovation in Bose products and marks a milestone for the city in attracting high-value international investments.
Vertex Managed Workspace is a pioneer in building modern, plug-and-play workspaces across key business domains, supporting startups and multinational firms alike. Its infrastructure has played a vital role in attracting high-tech enterprises, including Bose Professional, to Mangaluru.
The round table concluded with optimism about the city’s trajectory. For Bose Professional, the visit reinforced the GCC’s potential. For Vertex Managed Workspace, it marked another milestone in enabling world-class enterprises. For Mangaluru, it was a showcase of its achievements and aspirations as Karnataka’s next major technology hub.
Innovation in Sound: Bose Mangaluru Story – Day 2 Highlights
The second day of the Bose Innovation in Sound – Mangaluru Story unfolded the next morning (September 9) against the serene backdrop of Tannirbhavi beach, where technology, culture, and adventure came together in a unique celebration.
The day began with an engaging surfing event in collaboration with the Mangalore Surf Club, setting the tone for a blend of innovation and coastal vibrancy. The event saw the participation of Namith Padmaraj, director (software engineering), Bose Professional, along with the Bose team, who were joined by enthusiastic students from MIT Manipal, NITK, and Sahyadri College of Engineering.
The highlight of the morning was an interactive scholars’ session with John Maier, CEO of Bose Professional, where students engaged in thought-provoking discussions about technology, innovation, and the future of sound. This was seamlessly followed by a surfing training session, offering participants a chance to experience Mangaluru’s growing adventure sports scene. “The students represent the true potential of Mangaluru’s IT ecosystem,” noted the organizers, emphasizing the city’s strong academic base and talent pool.
To showcase Mangaluru’s rich cultural heritage, the programme transitioned into a soulful beachside performance. Reuben Machado, the celebrated flute artist from Mangaluru who has performed at the Ambani wedding, mesmerized the audience with his music. The cultural segment continued with Shor the Band, who captivated the crowd with melodious Tulu songs, highlighting the region’s traditions and identity.
The day concluded with a beachside breakfast, allowing guests to soak in the scenic beauty of Tannirbhavi while networking and reflecting on the fusion of academia, innovation, and culture. The day 2 celebrations of the Bose Mangaluru Story not only strengthened the bond between global leaders in sound innovation and local talent, but also positioned Mangaluru as a city where technology, academia, and culture converge to create meaningful experiences.
source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)