ELEVATE 2026 — Startup Karnataka Grant-in-Aid Program
Under ELEVATE Karnataka by Startup Karnataka
Check your eligibility
Sign up and we'll tell you whether your startup qualifies for this grant.
Quick Answer
One-time grant up to ₹50L for any Karnataka startup to build a proof-of-concept.
- Funding amount
- Up to ₹50 Lakhs
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- Startup Karnataka
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- Karnataka
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 15 July 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Startup Karnataka. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this grant
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.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Grant providers
Startup Karnataka is the Government of Karnataka's startup programme, run by the Karnataka Startup Cell of the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS) under the Department of Electronics, IT, Bt and S&T. It works out of BKG Sapphire on Railway Parallel Road in Kumara…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
- Amount
- Up to ₹50 Lakhs
- Fund type
- Grant
- Equity
- Equity-free
- Repayment
- Non-repayable
What You Get
Selected startups are mapped to government-supported incubators, accelerators, Centres of Excellence and innovation hubs (K-Tech Innovation Partners) for mentoring and incubation support at subsidized rates. These partners handhold the startup, track milestone progress and recommend tranche releases, with milestone validation coordinated by KITS and the Department of Electronics, IT & BT.
- Disbursement
- Milestone Based
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
Applications are scored out of 100 across five parameters: Novelty/Innovation (30), Strength of Business Model (30), Potential Socio-economic Impact (20), Team Strength (10) and Budgetary Allocation (10). Each parameter is scored independently by the jury panel, whose composition changes by round based on domain expertise. A minimum of 60 marks in the Multi-City Pitching round is required to reach the Grand Finale. Cumulative scores determine the final ranking and the tiered grant allocation.
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
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- 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.
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
