The Karnataka Grassroot Innovation Programme is an initiative by the state's IT BT Department to identify, promote, and support innovations at the grassroots level. It aims to develop and scale local solutions that ease rural life and reduce the drudgery of rural households. The program provides a maximum financial grant of up to ₹4 lakhs to innovators for feasible projects. The selected projects are evaluated on a 100-point scale covering:
- Novelty (30 points): The uniqueness and originality of the innovation.
- Social Impact (30 points): The potential and actual impact on the local community, including inclusivity and societal benefit.
- Business Potential (20 points): The potential for commercialization, scalability, and economic sustainability.
- Feasibility and Implementation (10 points): The practicality of the innovation and ease of implementation.
- Environmental Sustainability (10 points): The innovation's impact on the environment.
Winners are required to set up a formal entity (proprietorships are not allowed) to receive the grant and are provided with support for entrepreneurial, product, and market development.
