ELEVATE (Idea2PoC Grant-in-Aid Scheme)

ELEVATE and Idea2PoC are the same scheme under two names. Selected startups get a one-time grant-in-aid, plus mentoring and incubation at subsidised rates at a government-supported hub. The last completed general call was ELEVATE 2025, which closed on 17 September 2025; the department's ELEVATE 2026 page is a holding page saying the round is coming soon, so there is no open call right now.

What you get

• A one-time grant-in-aid to build a proof of concept and scale it
• Mentoring and incubation at subsidised rates at the K-Tech Innovation Hub or Centre of Excellence you are assigned to, which winners are required to take up
• A mentoring session before the final pitch, with past winners sharing how their pitch worked

Who can apply

• A private limited company, registered partnership firm or LLP incorporated in Karnataka
• Within ten years of incorporation, with turnover under the ceiling the call states
• Working on innovation or improvement of products, services or processes, with potential to create jobs or wealth
• Not a subsidiary, franchise, reseller or part of a group company, and not a section 8 company, trust, society, association or non-profit
• Not formed by a merger or demerger, and not part of a government initiative, PPP or aided partner
• Not a past winner of ELEVATE, Idea2PoC or a Grand Challenge, and no other state grant, within the last three years
• The Unnati track adds SC/ST directors or partners holding at least seventy per cent of equity with a valid digital caste certificate from the Karnataka Revenue Department; the Minorities track adds minority-community directors or partners holding at least fifty-one per cent with a valid digital minority certificate

How selection works: four stages — eligibility and document verification, pitch-deck evaluation, multi-city pitching, then a Grand Finale. Scoring is out of 100: novelty and innovation 30, business model 30, socio-economic impact 20, team strength 10, budget allocation 10. Juries are nominated by NASSCOM, TiE, IESA, ABLE, ABAI, academia and VC firms, and the final call is made by the Idea2PoC Evaluation Committee chaired by the Secretary of the department.

How to apply: register with Startup Karnataka, then log in to the department portal when a call opens and submit the online form with your incorporation or registration certificate, MoA or partnership deed, any caste or minority certificate the track needs, a pitch deck and a notarised affidavit on e-stamp paper naming Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society as second party. One application per entity, and nothing can be changed after submission. Questions go to startupcell@karnataka.gov.in.