What Science Gallery Bengaluru does

Science Gallery Bengaluru (SGB) is a not-for-profit public institution based in Bengaluru, India, and the first permanent Science Gallery in Asia. Founded as a partnership anchored by the Government of Karnataka and affiliated with the global Science Gallery International Network, SGB designs and operates free-admission exhibitions and programmes at the intersection of science, art, and society, targeting young adults aged approximately 15–30 alongside students, researchers, artists, and the general public.

SGB's core offering is a rolling programme of themed exhibition seasons — including ELEMENTS, SUBMERGE, PHYTOPIA, CONTAGION, PSYCHE, CARBON, QUANTUM, and CALORIE — produced in collaboration with academic and international partners such as IISc, NCBS, Srishti Institute, the Royal Society of Chemistry, ZKM, and MIT. Beyond exhibitions, the institution runs structured learning pathways including the Experimentor mentorship (with a Postgraduate Certification from the University of Glasgow), the Mediator programme, and student-facing Graduation Projects, Internships, and Externships, supported by travelling exhibitions, pop-ups in metro stations, and an Exhibition-in-a-Box format for broader distribution.

SGB's revenue model combines venue rental for events, donations, government and foundation grants, and publishing revenue, delivered through a permanent Sanjaynagar venue and outreach formats. The institution is recognised internationally through the Falling Walls 2021 prize for CONTAGION and a 2022 Falling Walls Berlin finalist placement, signalling credibility within the global science-engagement category.

Name

Science Gallery Bengaluru

Legal name

Science Gallery Bengaluru

Website

https://bengaluru.sciencegallery.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Science Gallery Bengaluru is a not-for-profit public institution in Bengaluru, India, and the first permanent Science Gallery in Asia. It delivers free themed exhibitions and education programmes at the intersection of science, art, and society, primarily serving young adults aged 15–30 and partner researchers, artists, and institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Science Museums / Public Engagement Institutions

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Museums (71211), Museums (712110), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Science & Technology Museums (THAJADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (Commercial & Nonprofit) (THAJADAH), Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG), Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA)

Keywords

• Public science engagement
• Science art exhibitions
• Interactive museum experiences
• Science communication programs
• Informal science education

Headquarters

HQ city

Bengaluru

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Venue Rental: Science Gallery Bengaluru offers its state-of-the-art facilities for venue hire, including spaces like Portico, Patio, Reading Room, Activity Hall, Conference Room, Outdoor Gallery, Nook, and Terrace. The venue serves corporate events, workshops, exhibitions, and private gatherings, generating rental income while promoting the gallery's mission.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a not-for-profit public institution, SGB relies on donations from patrons and supporters. The gallery maintains a donate page and lists patrons on its website, indicating ongoing fundraising efforts.
3. Government and Foundation Grants: Established with founding support from Government of Karnataka, SGB operates with grants and partnerships from various government bodies, academic institutions, and foundations including Shyama Foundation for Shared Ecologies programme.
4. Publishing Revenue: Science Gallery Bengaluru maintains a publishing programme including books, exhibition catalogues, and educational materials that may generate ancillary revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Science Gallery Bengaluru is a not-for-profit public engagement institution that produces themed seasonal exhibitions exploring the intersection of science, art, and society, and runs accompanying mentorship (Scaler) and student programmes targeted primarily at young adults aged 15-25. It also generates secondary income through venue rental of its Bengaluru gallery space and through travelling/pop-up exhibitions delivered with partner organisations, while offering all standard public exhibitions free of charge.

Product overview

Science Gallery Bengaluru is a not-for-profit public institution for research-based engagement at the intersection of science, art and society. The institution operates as a unified platform offering exhibition seasons, mentorship programmes, and educational initiatives. Its core products include rotating exhibition-seasons (ELEMENTS, SUBMERGE, PHYTOPIA, CONTAGION, PSYCHE, CARBON, CALORIE, QUANTUM), mentorship initiatives (Experimentor Programme with University of Glasgow PG Certification, Mediator Programme), student programmes (Graduation Projects, Internships, Externships), venue rental services, and travelling exhibitions. The institution also runs Open Calls for artists and the Exhibition-in-a-Box educational format. The gallery transitioned from pop-up exhibitions to operating from its own permanent building in Sanjaynagar in 2023.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Themed Seasonal Exhibitions Interactive exhibitions at the intersection of science, art, and society, refreshed on a thematic cycle and offered free of charge to the general public, primarily young adults aged 15-25, in the gallery's Bengaluru facility.
• Scaler Mentorship Programme Structured mentorship programme targeting young adults aged 15-25, complementing the gallery's exhibitions with deeper engagement across science, art, and society themes.
• Student Programmes and School Group Visits Curriculum-linked programmes and facilitated group visits for school, college, and university students, delivered on-site and through partner institutions.
• Open Labs Hands-on laboratory-format programmes associated with the gallery's exhibitions, enabling visitors to engage directly with scientific methods and tools.
• Travelling and Pop-up Exhibitions Adapted versions of the gallery's exhibitions delivered at partner venues, festivals, and events across India to extend reach beyond the Bengaluru facility.
• Venue Hire Rental of the Bengaluru gallery space for corporate, institutional, and private events such as launches, receptions, and cultural programmes.

Quantifiable outcome

• ELEMENTS exhibition engaged over 2,200 visitors with 40% young adults and 500+ programme participants
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Government of KarnatakacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding Partner of Science Gallery Bengaluru. Provided initial support and institutional backing for establishing India's first Science Gallery in Bengaluru.
• Indian Institute of Science (IISc)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic Partner providing research depth, faculty engagement, and institutional credibility. Director Govindan Rangarajan serves on SGB Board.
• National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic Partner contributing research expertise and faculty engagement. Director L S Shashidhara serves on SGB Board.
• Srishti Institute of Art, Design and TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic Partner bringing design and art perspectives to interdisciplinary exhibitions and programmes.
• Science Gallery International NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSGB is part of global network with other Science Galleries in Dublin (headquarters), Melbourne, and Monterrey. Michael John Gorman, founding director of Science Gallery Dublin, serves on SGB International Advisory Board.
• Shyama Foundation (Shared Ecologies)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerShared Ecologies programme by Shyama Foundation supports art-ecology initiatives through grants and collaborations. SGB partnership for Entangled Ecosystems Grant exploring human-nonhuman coexistence.
• Royal Society of ChemistrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered for ELEMENTS exhibition (2019) marking IYPT2019. Provided interactive Tableau exhibit and The Tableau app for exploring periodic table.
• Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for ELEMENTS exhibition. Provided Through the Looking Glass exhibit featuring elements in native forms, and contributed scientist Prof. Arnab Bhattacharya.
• University of GlasgowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExperimentors can obtain Postgraduate Certification in Science Public Engagement through collaboration with University of Glasgow during their 14-month tenure.
• Socratus FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Everyday Materials travelling exhibition - interactive neighbourhood-based sustainability exhibition.
• Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International AffairsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for IMAGINE: CORAL REEF exhibition showcasing marine biodiversity and ocean conservation.
• Consulate General of Italy in BengaluruminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Italian Design Day (IDD) exhibition and From the Moon to Mars exhibition celebrating Italy-India space collaboration.
• Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in BengaluruminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Women of Mathematics from Around the World exhibition featuring photographic portraits of women mathematicians.
• National Institute of Design (NID)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for TANDEM exhibition, From Figures to Form exhibition, and Exhibition-in-a-Box programme. Multiple graduation project collaborations.
• International Centre for Theoretical Sciences (ICTS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Women of Mathematics exhibition alongside Raman Research Institute.
• Raman Research Institute (RRI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Women of Mathematics exhibition alongside ICTS.
• Paani Earth FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Waterscapes of Bengaluru exhibition on city's forgotten rivers and water governance.
• India Foundation for the ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Project 560 Festival celebrating artistic and civic engagement with Bengaluru.
• MIT South Asian Alumni AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for South Asia and the Institute exhibition exploring MIT's relationship with South Asia.
• Australian High CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Walking Through a Songline exhibition presenting Indigenous Australian knowledge.
• National Museum of AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided Walking Through a Songline installation based on Songlines: Tracking the Seven Sisters exhibition.
• Coexistence ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Coexistence: The Great Elephant Migration travelling exhibition featuring Lantana reed elephants.
• Centre for Art and Media (ZKM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Critical Zones exhibition conceptualised by Bruno Latour and Peter Weibel.
• Goethe-Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan BangaloreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Critical Zones exhibition alongside ZKM.
• The Vaccine Confidence ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeidi Larson, Director of VCP, serves on SGB International Advisory Board, bringing public health expertise.
• MIT MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichael John Gorman serves as Director of MIT Museum and member of SGB International Advisory Board.
• Science Museum GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSir Ian Blatchford, Director of Science Museum Group, serves on SGB International Advisory Board.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Science Gallery International: The Dublin-headquartered parent network that defines the Science Gallery brand, model, and content-exchange framework. Comparable as the source network whose brand and methodology SGB implements in India.
• Science Gallery Melbourne: Network Science Gallery based at the University of Melbourne. Runs the same seasonal exhibition model at the intersection of science, art, and society, targeting young adults.
• Science Gallery London: Sister Science Gallery in the global network, operating the same young-adult-focused, science-meets-art exhibition and public-engagement model. Most directly comparable peer in terms of programming, audience, and operating structure.
• Science Gallery Monterrey: Tecnológico de Monterrey–affiliated Science Gallery and direct network peer, executing the same exhibition-season and public-engagement model in Latin America.

Broad incumbents

• MIT Museum: University-affiliated science and technology museum at MIT. Comparable as a science-museum operator at the university interface; SGB's advisory board includes MIT Museum leadership and SGB has hosted MIT-affiliated exhibitions.
• Science Museum Group: UK's leading science-museum operator (includes the Science Museum in London). Comparable as a large established science-museum ecosystem; SGB's advisory board includes its Director, evidencing direct collaboration.

Regional players

• Birla Science Centre: Privately operated science museum and planetarium complex in Hyderabad. Comparable as an India-based science museum engaging the public, but with a more traditional exhibit model and limited young-adult programming.
• Nehru Science Centre: National Council of Science Museums facility in Mumbai. A large established Indian science centre/museum; overlaps with SGB in science-engagement mission but is a far larger, government-run institution with different operating scale.
• Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum: Government of India science museum in Bengaluru (under the National Council of Science Museums). Operates in the same city with a science-museum mandate, but with a more traditional, family-audience focus and a broader industrial-history collection.

Emerging players

• Centre for Art and Media (ZKM): German media-art museum in Karlsruhe that presents exhibitions at the intersection of art, technology, and society. Comparable to SGB in its science/art crossover and exhibition-season format, though with a much larger institutional scope and an explicit technology focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/scigalleryblr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Science Gallery Bengaluru