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Government Bengaluru, Karnataka Est. 2001

KBITS, Government of Karnataka

Karnataka's IT and biotech facilitation body, home to the Startup Cell and the KITVEN fund for the state's 4,000+ startups.

4,000+ startups supported 6 programs listed

About KBITS, Government of Karnataka

Karnataka Biotechnology and Information Technology Services (KBITS) is a facilitation body under the state's Department of Electronics, IT, Biotechnology, and Science and Technology. First created as Karnataka Information Technology Services, it was renamed KBITS through a government order in 2001 to reflect a broader mandate spanning both IT and biotechnology, and it works from the M.S. Buildings in Bangalore as the operational arm for promoting IT, biotech, and startup activity. It houses the Karnataka Startup Cell, launched in 2016 as a single window for startups seeking information, assistance, and access to government schemes, and the state is home to more than 4,000 registered startups.

KBITS sits where policy implementation meets ecosystem building. Through the Startup Cell it connects founders with government incentives, incubators, and investors, and it organises industry events, trade shows, and international delegations that promote Karnataka's technology sector, with its place inside the state IT and biotech department giving it direct access to policy levers. The Startup Cell handles registrations, grievance redressal, and access to incentives under the Karnataka Startup Policy, and KBITS also subscribes to the KITVEN Fund, which makes equity investments in early startups, supports technology parks and incubation facilities, and helps implement the state's biotech and IT policies; through Mission Startup Karnataka the state has announced schemes including a $60 million startup fund.

Tech and biotech startups registered in Karnataka, companies after state incentives, and entrepreneurs drawing on the state's position as a technology hub benefit most, with the Startup Cell especially useful for navigating registration and compliance. By providing efficient government-to-startup interfaces and channelling policy support, KBITS has helped Karnataka stay among India's foremost startup states, and the KITVEN Fund adds a direct investment dimension. It is online at startup.karnataka.gov.in.

Who they work with

Stages
Idea MVP / Prototype Early Revenue Growth
Sectors
Agritech & Food Fintech Biotech, Health & Pharma Deeptech & Robotics AI, SaaS & Enterprise Consumer & D2C Climate, Energy & EV Edtech & Skilling Logistics & Mobility Social Impact Space, Drones & Defence

Programs by KBITS, Government of Karnataka 6

Closed Grant

ELEVATE NXT 2026 Deeptech Grant-in-Aid Program

by KBITS, Government of Karnataka

FundingUp to Rs. 1 Cr
Equity-free MVP / Prototype Early Revenue

ELEVATE NXT 2026 is a flagship Deeptech-focused grant-in-aid program by the Government of Karnataka under the LEAP framework. The program is designed to identify, support, and scale high-potential Deeptech startups through a transparent and milestone-driven funding process. The initiative targets startups developing novel, science- and engineering-led solutions using advanced technologies such as AI, ML, IoT, Blockchain, Robotics, AR/VR, Drones, Advanced Manufacturing, Semiconductors, Quantum

ClosesClosed
Closed Grant

Karnataka Grassroot Innovation Programme

by KBITS, Government of Karnataka

FundingUp to Rs. 4 lakh
Equity-free

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 Rs. 4 lakhs to innovators for feasible projects. The selected projects are evaluated on a 100-point scale covering: Novelty (30 points): The uniqueness and

ClosesClosed
Closed Grant
FundingUp to Rs. 50 lakh
Equity-free

The Idea2PoC/ELEVATE program is a Government of Karnataka initiative designed to support and fund innovative startups. This one-time Grant-in-Aid provides up to Rs. 50 Lakhs in early-stage seed funding to help startups develop their ideas into a proof of concept and scale their businesses. Startups selected for the program will also receive mentoring and incubation support at subsidized rates at government-supported incubation centers.

ClosesClosed

Frequently asked questions

What funding programs does KBITS, Government of Karnataka run?

KBITS, Government of Karnataka currently has 6 programs listed in this directory, including ELEVATE NXT 2026 Deeptech Grant-in-Aid Program, Karnataka Grassroot Innovation Programme, ELEVATE 2025 Challenge (Grant-in-Aid) by Startup Karnataka. Each program page covers the funding amount, eligibility and application process.

Is KBITS, Government of Karnataka a government organisation?

Yes. KBITS, Government of Karnataka is listed under the government category. Its programs follow official government processes, and applications are submitted through official channels in your own name.

How do I evaluate whether a KBITS, Government of Karnataka program fits my startup?

Start with the stages and sectors shown on this profile, then open the program pages for eligibility conditions and document checklists. If you want a structured view, send an enquiry below and an IncorpX advisor will walk you through fit and readiness.

Do I apply to these programs through IncorpX?

No. Applications are always submitted in your own name with the respective program authority. IncorpX is independent of KBITS, Government of Karnataka and provides assistance for application preparation, document organisation and prerequisite registrations such as incorporation, DPIIT recognition, MSME and GST.

Enquire about KBITS, Government of Karnataka

Tell us what you are building and which KBITS, Government of Karnataka program you are evaluating. An IncorpX advisor will help you assess fit and get application-ready.

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Your enquiry goes to the IncorpX advisory team, who will help you evaluate fit and prepare. We are independent of KBITS, Government of Karnataka and never contact organisations on your behalf.

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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