Request for Proposals for Selection of Design & Technical Authority

The Landmark Project: MIST & Innoverse

Bengaluru, India's Technology Capital, is set to welcome a pioneering cultural and scientific landmark. The Museum of Innovation, Startup & Technology (MIST) will be the country's first museum dedicated exclusively to chronicling India's journey in science, technology, and entrepreneurship. Alongside it, Innoverse will operate as a government-led deep-tech incubator.

Together, located within the historic NGEF Campus in Baiyappanahalli, they represent a transformative step in Karnataka's commitment to shaping the future of technology and making it accessible to the public.

Our Vision & Mission

Vision: To establish a world-class, landmark institution that captures India's extraordinary technological legacy, celebrates its present leadership in innovation, and inspires its future pioneers.

Mission: To create a dynamic ecosystem—comprising a public museum (MIST) and a deep-tech incubator (Innoverse)—that demystifies technology, catalyzes research, and provides an immersive cultural and educational platform for all.

A Unique Partnership Model

This project is built on a pioneering partnership model:

• MIST is being developed as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the  Department of Electronics , Information Technology and Biotechnology, Government of Karnataka (49%) and UnboxingBLR (51%). It is governed by the Karnataka Technology and Innovation Museum Foundation (KTIMF), a dedicated Section 8 company.

• Innoverse is a 100% Government of Karnataka (ITBT Department) initiative. It will operate under the Innoverse Foundation, an independent Section 8 company, focusing on research, development, and startup incubation.

UnboxingBLR is the Lead Sponsor for MIST and is also managing the combined selection process for the Design and Technical Agency for both projects.

The Site: A Symbol of Regeneration

MIST and Innoverse will be housed within one of the original Switch Gear Factory Sheds at the historic NGEF Campus, set within a 105-acre urban forest (65 acres of green cover). This ambitious adaptive-reuse initiative is one of India's most significant cultural infrastructure projects, symbolizing the regeneration of industrial heritage for a knowledge-based future.

Site Specifications:

• Building: Existing shed with ground floor and basement, internal heights up to 13 meters.

• Footprint: Approximately 10,061 sq. m., expandable to nearly 24,000 sq. m. with additional floors.

• Allocated Space: ~12,325 sq. m. for MIST and ~11,765 sq. m. for Innoverse.

Phased Development & Governance

The project will be realized in two clear phases:

• Phase 1

  • Museum Development Stage: Building architecture with finishes & half of permanent galleries.

  • Timeline: Late 2027

  • Budget: INR 200 Crores (for both MIST + Innoverse)
    
    

• Phase 2 

  • Museum Development Stage: Completion of remaining galleries including exhibit fabrication and development

  • Timeline: Late 2028

  • Budget: INR 45 Crores 

Project Team:

• UnboxingBLR: Lead Sponsor. Responsible for project planning, fundraising, budget management, and appointment of consultants.

• Karnataka Technology and Innovation Museum Foundation (KTIMF): The governing Section 8 company. CEO: Mr. Pravin Hungund. Also, CEO (In Charge), Innoverse Foundation.

• Museum & Cultural Planners (Batul Raaj Mehta & Associates - BRMA LLP): Responsible for institutional vision, governance model, and running the selection process for the Design and Technical Agency (DTA).

Curatorial Approach: A Collaborative Mode

MIST aims to interpret, demystify, and celebrate technology. It will adopt a distributed, expert-led curatorial model to ensure authenticity

• Structured consultations with board members, stakeholders, and domain experts.

• Contributions from research groups, history societies, and industry specialists.

• Guidance from an international Curatorial Advisory Board of futurists, science communicators, academics, and museum professionals.

• This collaborative process will define gallery themes, exhibition narratives, and immersive public programs.

As part of Project Phase 1, an RFP for selecting the Design & Technical Agency (DTA) has been issued, inviting leading architectural and exhibition design teams from India and overseas.

Issuing Authority

On behalf of the Karnataka Technology and Innovation Museum Foundation (KTIMF)

Department of Electronics, Information Technology and Biotechnology, Government of Karnataka & UnboxingBLR