Can I apply to more than one ELEVATE track?

Yes. A startup can apply to multiple calls, but a single pitch presentation is evaluated across all applied calls and the total grant is capped at ₹50 lakh.

Does ELEVATE take equity in my startup?

No. ELEVATE is a grant-in-aid and is fully non-dilutive — no equity is taken.

Do I need to be based in Bengaluru?

No. Any startup registered in Karnataka can apply. Startups registered outside Bengaluru Urban are also eligible for the ELEVATE Aspire track.

How is the grant paid out?

In two equal tranches — the first after signing the tripartite agreement, the second after a successful milestone review.

ELEVATE 2026 — Startup Karnataka Grant-in-Aid Program

Grant providers

Provider

Startup Karnataka

Bengaluru · Karnataka · India

Overview Startup Karnataka is the Government of Karnataka's flagship startup ecosystem brand, executed by the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS) under the Department of Electronics, IT, BT and S&T. It is widely regarded as one of India's most active state-level…

Learn more

Application Process

1
Online Application Submission
Submit the application on the official ELEVATE portal with incorporation/registration details, business and innovation details, founding team credentials, financials, a grant utilisation plan and all mandatory documents.
You
2
3
4
5
6

How to apply

Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.

1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
Open draft workspace
2
See the questions before you start
Download every question this programme's application form asks, so you can prepare your answers offline before opening the portal.
3
Line up your documents
Keep every document from the checklist ready in one folder. Missing docs are the #1 reason applications get bounced.
4
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
5
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.

ELEVATE 2026 is the open call of the Government of Karnataka's flagship grant-in-aid scheme for early-stage startups, run by the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS) under the Department of Electronics, IT, BT & S&T. It offers a one-time grant of up to ₹50 lakh to help founders turn an idea into a working proof-of-concept and validate it in the market.

This is the general call: any startup registered in Karnataka can apply, based anywhere in the state. The Department also runs three sibling calls for specific founder categories — ELEVATE Aspire for startups registered beyond Bengaluru Urban, ELEVATE Unnati for SC/ST-owned startups, and ELEVATE Shakti for women-led startups. A startup may apply to more than one call, but a single pitch is evaluated across all applied calls and the cumulative grant is capped at ₹50 lakh.

Funding is released in two equal tranches against milestones. The first tranche follows the signing of a tripartite agreement between KITS, the assigned K-Tech innovation partner and the startup; the second is released after the first milestone is reviewed and approved. Beyond the money, selected startups are mapped to government-backed incubators, accelerators, Centres of Excellence and innovation hubs (K-Tech Innovation Partners) for mentoring and incubation support at subsidized rates.

The call suits early-stage Karnataka founders who need non-dilutive capital to build and prove a product. Selection is competitive and merit-based, run through pitch evaluation and multi-city pitching rounds.

Explore

Partners

Legal

ELEVATE 2026 — Startup Karnataka Grant-in-Aid Program

ELEVATE 2026 — Startup Karnataka Grant-in-Aid Program

Grant providers

Application Process

How to apply

Sources

Grants closing soon

Competitions closing soon

Equity closing soon

Debt programs

Subsidies

Frequently Asked Questions

Results & next round

About this grant

Eligibility

Timelines & Process

Benefits & Funding

Grants closing soon

Competitions closing soon

Equity closing soon

Debt programs

Subsidies

Startup Software Credits

Higgsfield

Notion

Semrush

Reclaim.ai

Replit

Bolt

Manus

Warp

Huawei

Microsoft

Google

Mixpanel