ELEVATE Minorities 2026 — Startup Karnataka Grant for Minority Founders
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 Karnataka startups where a minority founder holds at least 51%, to build a prototype and scale up.
- Funding amount
- Up to ₹50 Lakhs
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- Startup Karnataka
- Application deadline
- 28d — 13 Nov 2026
- Location
- Karnataka
About this grant
ELEVATE Minorities 2026 is the call of the Government of Karnataka's ELEVATE grant-in-aid scheme for startups led by founders from minority communities. It is run by the Department of Electronics, IT, BT & S&T. It gives a one-time grant of up to ₹50 lakh to startups that need early-stage funding to build a prototype, develop their market and scale up.
The call is for founders from the minority communities defined by the Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation: Muslims, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs and Parsis. At least one Director or Partner must belong to the community and, with any other minority members, hold at least 51% of the equity. That has to be true on the application date and for the whole project. A dilution that breaks it leads to disqualification or termination of the grant. This Director or Partner needs a valid digital Minority Certificate from the Revenue Department, Government of Karnataka, with an RD Number.
There is a single pitch deck on the portal template, with no separate qualification deck. Funding is milestone-based, and selected startups are mapped to government-supported incubators (K-Tech Partners) for mentoring and incubation at subsidised rates.
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
Up to ₹50 lakh in grant-in-aid, plus mentoring and incubation support at subsidised rates at government-supported incubators.
- Disbursement
- Milestone Based
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
Scored out of 100: Novelty / innovation (30), Strength of business model (30), Potential socio-economic impact (20), Team strength (10) and Budgetary allocation (10). A score of at least 60 in the in-person pitching round is needed to reach the Grand Finale. The minority Director or Partner holding at least 51% must be present at the pitching.
Application Process
- 1
Online Application
Apply on the ELEVATE portal: company and founder or partner details, proof of minority ownership, the Digital Minority Certificate with RD Number, a single pitch deck and the mandatory documents.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
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
Line up your documents
Keep every document from the checklist ready in one folder. Missing docs are the #1 reason applications get bounced.
- 3
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 4
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Program templates & documents
Files the program publishes for applicants — download these and apply in the prescribed format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply to ELEVATE Minorities?
Karnataka-incorporated startups where at least one Director or Partner is Muslim, Buddhist, Jain, Sikh or Parsi, and minority members hold at least 51% of the equity.
What is the maximum grant?
Up to ₹50 lakh, paid against milestones.
What proof of minority status do I need?
A valid digital Minority Certificate with RD Number, issued by the Revenue Department, Government of Karnataka, plus a CA-attested shareholding pattern showing the 51% holding.
What if the shareholding changes after I apply?
The 51% minority holding must stay in place for the whole project. A dilution that breaks it leads to disqualification or termination of assistance.
Do I have to attend the pitch myself?
Yes. The minority Director or Partner holding at least 51% must be present at the in-person pitching.
Can I also apply to ELEVATE NxT?
The portal lets you choose between the two calls based on your eligibility. NxT is for DeepTech startups, with grants up to ₹1 crore.
When do applications close?
Applications opened on 13 October 2026 and close on 13 November 2026 at 5:00 PM IST.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
News
- Karnataka ELEVATE Grants: Startups Can Apply for Up to ₹1 Crore From October 13thebengalurulive.com · 3 days ago
- Karnataka govt launches ELEVATE schemes to boost inclusive, DeepTech entrepreneurshiptheprint.in · 3 days ago
Source: Google News aggregated
