FundingFunding opportunities up to ₹10 Lakh through ACIC-VGU schemes
Equity-free Idea AI, SaaS & Enterprise
ClosesAug 15, 2026
Closed Grant Equity-free
ELEVATE Aspire 2026: Karnataka Startup Grant for Startups Beyond Bengaluru
ELEVATE Aspire 2026 is a Karnataka Government grant offering up to ₹50 lakh in equity-free funding for eligible startups registered outside Bengaluru Urban.
Check your readinessShare a few details and an IncorpX advisor will walk you through fit, documents and timelines for this scheme. Free, no obligation.
- Up to ₹50 lakh equity-free grant
- For startups registered outside Bengaluru Urban
- Equity-free / non-dilutive
- Part of LEAP , the Local Economy Acceleration Program
- Milestone-based disbursement in two tranches
About this scheme
ELEVATE Aspire 2026 is the "Beyond Bangalore" call of the Government of Karnataka's ELEVATE grant-in-aid scheme, run by the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS) under the Department of Electronics, IT, BT & S&T. It is a focused initiative under the department's Local Economy Acceleration Program (LEAP), aimed at startups registered outside the Bengaluru Urban region. Selected startups receive a one-time grant of up to Rs. 50 lakh to turn an idea into a working proof-of-concept.
Aspire exists to spread startup funding beyond Bengaluru into Karnataka's other districts. It runs alongside the general ELEVATE 2026 call and two other sibling calls, 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 Rs. 50 lakh.
Funding is released in two equal tranches against milestones, beginning after a tripartite agreement is signed between KITS, the assigned K-Tech innovation partner and the startup. Selected startups are also mapped to government-backed incubators, accelerators, Centres of Excellence and innovation hubs for mentoring and incubation support at subsidized rates.
Unlike Bengaluru Urban applicants under ELEVATE 2026, Aspire applicants skip the desk-based pitch deck evaluation and proceed directly to in-person Multi-City Pitching.
Who can apply
- Startup registered in Karnataka, beyond the Bengaluru Urban region
- Incorporated as a Private Limited Company, One Person Company, Registered Partnership Firm, LLP, or State/Multi-State Co-operative Society
- Within 10 years of the date of incorporation at the time of application
- Annual turnover not exceeding Rs. 200 crore in any financial year since incorporation
- Independent entity , not a subsidiary, spin-off or internal division of an existing company
- Minimum team size of two individuals
- Not a beneficiary of the ELEVATE Grant-in-Aid scheme in the last 3 years
- Working on innovation or improvement of products, services or processes with potential to create jobs, wealth or market opportunities
Eligible entity types: Private Limited, LLP, Partnership, Section 8 / NGO
Benefits & funding
Headline support
Up to Rs. 50 lakh
- Up to ₹50 lakh equity-free funding
- Government recognition and validation
- Mentorship from K-Tech Innovation Partners
- Access to subsidized incubation facilities
- Milestone-based grant disbursement
How the application process works
The journey below is informational, compiled from the official program guidelines. Applications are submitted directly with Startup Karnataka, in your own name.
- 1
Register on the ELEVATE application portal.
- 2
Complete the online application form.
- 3
Upload all required documents.
- 4
Submit your startup pitch deck.
- 5
Attend the Multi-City Pitching round.
- 6
Qualify for the Grand Finale based on jury evaluation.
- 7
Sign the tripartite agreement if selected.
- 8
Receive the grant in milestone-based tranches.
Want a second pair of eyes before you submit?IncorpX provides assistance for structuring proposals and organising the paperwork this process expects.
Documents checklist 6
- Pitch Deck
- CA Revenue Certificate
- Incorporation Certificate
- Memorandum of Association (MOA)
- Partnership Deed Certificate
- Non-Beneficiary Affidavit
Need help getting these in order? IncorpX provides assistance for incorporation, DPIIT recognition, MSME and GST registrations along with document preparation.
Official application
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Applications are submitted directly with Startup Karnataka, in your own name. Share a few details and we will point you to the official application portal and help you prepare a complete submission.
Here is the official application link
Apply in your own name with Startup Karnataka. Want a second pair of eyes before you submit? An IncorpX advisor can help you prepare.
Open the official applicationFrequently asked questions
Who is ELEVATE Aspire for?
Startups registered in Karnataka outside the Bengaluru Urban region. It is a focused initiative under the department's Local Economy Acceleration Program (LEAP).
Does ELEVATE Aspire take equity in my startup?
No. It is a grant-in-aid and is fully non-dilutive , no equity is taken.
Do Aspire applicants go through the pitch deck evaluation round?
No. Aspire applicants skip the desk-based pitch deck review and proceed directly to in-person Multi-City Pitching.
Can I also apply to other ELEVATE calls?
Yes. A startup can apply to multiple calls, but a single pitch is evaluated across all of them and the total grant is capped at Rs. 50 lakh.
How much funding is available under ELEVATE Aspire?
Eligible startups can receive a one-time equity-free grant of up to ₹50 lakh.
Who can apply for ELEVATE Aspire 2026?
Startups registered in Karnataka outside Bengaluru Urban that meet the programme's eligibility criteria can apply.
Is ELEVATE Aspire an equity-free grant?
Yes. The grant is completely non-dilutive, and the Government of Karnataka does not take equity in selected startups.
What is the last date to apply?
Applications close on 4 July 2026.
Important disclaimer
IncorpX is a private platform operated by a private company. It is not a government department, agency or official portal, and it is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any government body or of any organisation, incubator, accelerator, investor or partner listed in this directory. All program names, logos and trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are used for identification only.
This directory is compiled from publicly available official sources and is provided for general information only. It does not constitute legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Funding amounts, eligibility criteria, required documents, deadlines and availability are determined by each program authority and change with every cycle, so the details shown here may be incomplete or out of date. Always confirm the current terms on the official program source before you apply or take any decision.
IncorpX charges no fee for the information in this directory and does not collect, process, lodge or submit any application on your behalf. Applications are made by you, in your own name, directly with the respective program authority. IncorpX provides assistance only for application preparation and for related registrations such as company incorporation, DPIIT recognition, MSME (Udyam) and GST. Eligibility, approval, disbursement and selection rest solely with the respective program authority, and IncorpX makes no representation or guarantee as to any outcome.
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