Montana Governor Greg Gianforte met with technology executives and venture capitalists in New Delhi on October 6, 2026, seeking to expand trade ties between the state and India. The governor and First Landy Gianforte used the visit to showcase Montana’s growing high-tech sector and agricultural output to potential foreign investors.
Technology Sector Engagement
The delegation held discussions with Nasscom, which represents roughly 3,000 companies within India’s $315 billion technology industry. Gov. Gianforte engaged with firms focused on artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors, and other emerging fields. Montana holds the highest per-capita concentration of optics and photonics businesses and research institutions in the United States.
Montana State University President Brock Tessman highlighted the university’s role in facilitating private sector collaboration through state investments in an applied quantum ecosystem centered on QCORE. In 2024, the federal government designated Montana as one of 31 inaugural regional technology and innovation hubs. The Headwaters Tech Hub subsequently received approximately $41 million in federal funding.
Data from the Montana High Tech Business Alliance indicates the sector generates nearly $8 billion in annual revenue. The industry contributes about $4.4 billion to the state’s economy and supports more than 38,000 jobs.
Venture Capital and Startup Rankings
Gov. Gianforte attended a working lunch with the Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA). The group comprises over 490 members who have collectively contributed more than $350 billion in investment capital. Conversations covered bioscience, agricultural technology, deep tech, photonics, and Montana’s Right to Try legislation.
The governor pointed to recent rankings that position Montana as a favorable environment for new businesses. In 2025, Entrepreneur Media ranked the state number one for total startups, startups per capita, and 10-year survival rates. Additionally, Bozeman was selected in December 2025 to host the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Northwest Frontier Community Engagement Office.
Economic Growth and Trade Figures
The governor also met with representatives from the U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) in Delhi. Montana recently recorded the fifth-fastest economic growth rate in the nation, with real gross domestic product increasing by 16.1 percent between 2021 and 2025.
Agriculture remains a significant component of the state’s economy, valued at $6.22 billion. Montana leads the nation in the production of peas, lentils, and chickpeas. In 2025, Indian buyers purchased approximately $3.3 million worth of these pulse crops from Montana producers.
Manufacturing exports to India also saw notable activity. Indian entities spent roughly $6.9 million on commercial aircraft parts from Montana in 2025, making the country the sixth-largest market for those components. Boeing operates a facility in Helena that manufactures parts for the 787-10 and 777X aircraft models. Janicki Industries is currently advancing advanced manufacturing investments in the state.