Grassroot Innovation Programme
A programme by Startup Karnataka
Support for farmers, artisans, labourers and technicians in Karnataka to perfect and commercialise a practical innovation.
At a glance
| Best for | Grassroot innovators domiciled in Karnataka — farmers, artisans, labourers, technicians |
|---|---|
| Stage | Idea – Prototype |
| Cost | Free, no equity |
| Grant support | For selected startups. A place in the programme does not by itself guarantee a grant. |
About Grassroot Innovation Programme
The department runs this to find and back innovation outside the formal startup world and upgrade it for wider use, with an emphasis on reducing the drudgery of rural households. Applications are assessed by an Expert Approval Committee, and feasible projects get a financial grant on its recommendation.
What you get
- A grant for a feasible project, on the Expert Approval Committee's recommendation
Who can apply
- An Indian citizen who is a domicile of Karnataka
- Grassroot innovators — farmers, artisans, labourers, technicians and others
- The innovation must not be part of any government initiative, aided partner or public-private partnership firm
- Neither you nor the innovation may have already received funds from the Government of Karnataka or the Government of India
- You need a voter ID or ration card and proof of profession, such as a professional qualification certificate, professional ID card or a labour department ID card
Broad areas covered are agricultural, healthcare, environmental, technological, educational, social and cultural innovations, community organisation and governance, traditional crafts and skills, and local economic development.
How selection works: scored out of 100 — novelty 30, social impact 30, business potential 20, feasibility and implementation 10, environmental sustainability 10.
How to apply: the programme page describes the scheme but does not publish a form or dates. Ask the Karnataka Startup Cell at startupcell@karnataka.gov.in.
Where to apply
Other Startup Karnataka programmes
- ELEVATE (Idea2PoC Grant-in-Aid Scheme)Karnataka's main grant-in-aid call for startups incorporated in the state, taking an idea to proof of concept and then to scale.
- ELEVATE NxTThe deep-tech grant-in-aid track under LEAP, open to startups anywhere in India that move their registered office to Karnataka if they win.
- Rajiv Gandhi Entrepreneurship Program (RGEP)A twelve-month subsistence grant for individual innovators in Karnataka taking an idea to a prototype or proof of concept.
- WEscalateThe women-founder track, run as six months of incubation followed by six months of acceleration through incubators the department selects.
- Preferential Market Access (PMA)An empanelment route that puts Karnataka startups on a pre-qualified list state departments and public sector units buy from.
- Startup Policy Incentives 2025-30Reimbursement claims open to any startup registered with KITS — state GST, patent filing costs and other incentives under the 2025-30 policy.
- New Age Innovation Network 2.0 (NAIN 2.0)Incubation centres inside colleges outside Bengaluru Urban District, funding student projects through the host institution.
- Local Economy Accelerator Program (LEAP)The umbrella state programme funding 16 components across six clusters outside Bengaluru — not something you apply to directly.
- Booster KitA directory of empanelled service partners offering registered Karnataka startups legal, staffing, investor-readiness and company-management help.
- Beyond Bengaluru Cluster Seed FundAn announced fund for early-stage startups outside Bengaluru Urban District; the department has not published an application route for it.
- Fund of FundsAn equity fund the department says it will set up for long-gestation innovation, weighted towards clusters outside Bengaluru; no application route published.