BITA bets big on AI and Surveillance startups as its next growth frontier

The Baroda Information Technology Association (BITA) is gearing up to play a far more ambitious role in the city's evolving technology landscape. With a sharply renewed focus on artificial intelligence and surveillance-based startups, the association is positioning itself as a critical enabler for the next generation of IT entrepreneurs in Vadodara. Paresh, president of BITA, spoke at length about the association's vision, its persistent challenges, and the road ahead.

He said that BITA, which boasts a membership of 275 companies and professionals, has long been one of the most active technology associations in Gujarat. The association's flagship exhibition is a highlight of the regional IT calendar, typically drawing over 100 stalls and serving as a vibrant platform for networking, product launches, and business development. Beyond its commercial activities, Paresh emphasised that BITA has always maintained a strong connection with the wider community, organising seminars, expos, social gatherings, family events, cricket tournaments, and even group tours outside Gujarat for its members.

He further added that the association is approaching a landmark milestone. "We are just two years away from completing 30 years of existence," he noted with visible pride, underlining the long and eventful journey BITA has undertaken in nurturing Vadodara's IT ecosystem.

Navigating the geography challenge

Despite its impressive track record, BITA operates in a uniquely challenging environment. Paresh said that Vadodara's location in central Gujarat, while geographically convenient, has worked against the association in certain ways. Flanked by Ahmedabad and Surat, two of India's most commercially dynamic cities, Vadodara often finds itself sandwiched between two powerful markets that tend to attract larger corporate IT investments and premium OEM partnerships.

He further added that this geographical reality has curtailed local members' exposure to big-ticket corporate business. To address this, the association is actively working to bring more Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) on board to extend better support and business opportunities directly to members at the local level. He pointed out that OEMs play a decisive role in determining the margins at which channel partners operate, and stronger OEM engagement would directly benefit BITA's member ecosystem.

The challenge from e-commerce is another concern that has lingered over the years. Paresh acknowledged that the IT trade has had to continuously adapt, first to the disruption caused by large retail malls and then to the dominance of online marketplaces. Yet he remained measured and optimistic, noting that a significant segment of customers still prefer a hands-on, touch-and-feel experience before committing to a purchase. He further added that service-oriented businesses within the IT sector are growing at a healthy pace and represent a meaningful opportunity for BITA members willing to evolve their offerings beyond product reselling.

AI as the cornerstone of BITA's future strategy

The most defining part of Paresh's vision, however, is firmly centred on artificial intelligence and its implications for the local startup ecosystem. He said that AI represents the single most important technological frontier for the coming decade, and BITA is determined to be at the forefront of this transition in Vadodara.

He further added that the association is crafting a concrete plan to actively engage with AI-based startups, particularly those working in the surveillance technology space, an area that is gaining significant traction across India and globally. By creating structured platforms for knowledge sharing, mentoring, and business networking, BITA aims to build a robust innovation community that bridges the gap between seasoned IT professionals and emerging tech entrepreneurs.

Central to this effort is BITA's intent to draw students and young IT professionals into the association's fold. Paresh said that closing the generational gap between experienced industry veterans and fresh digital talent is a stated priority. He believes that only through sustained collaboration across age groups and professional backgrounds can Vadodara develop the kind of dense, interconnected IT community capable of competing meaningfully with its larger neighbours.

He further added that structured knowledge exchange would be a core pillar of this new direction, with focused seminars, curated workshops, and dedicated startup engagement programmes designed to put Vadodara firmly on India's AI map. As BITA inches closer to its 30th anniversary, Paresh is clearly determined to ensure the association's next chapter is defined not merely by longevity but by relevance, innovation, and the energy of a new generation of AI-driven entrepreneurs.

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