Government of Karnataka's flagship startup brand, run by KITS, with non-dilutive ELEVATE grants of up to Rs. 50 lakh.
Startup Karnataka is the Government of Karnataka's flagship startup-ecosystem brand, run by the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society under the Department of Electronics, IT, BT and S&T. Among the more active state-level programmes in India, it has backed hundreds of early-stage technology startups since 2015.
Its marquee initiative is ELEVATE, formerly Idea2PoC, an annual grant-in-aid challenge that hands non-dilutive grants of up to Rs. 50 lakh to innovative, technology-driven startups headquartered in Karnataka. ELEVATE runs several tracks each year: a general cohort open across sectors, ELEVATE Unnati for SC/ST-led startups, ELEVATE Shakti for women-led startups, ELEVATE Aspire as a Beyond Bengaluru track for founders outside Bengaluru Urban, and an ELEVATE Minorities track for minority-led startups. Startup Karnataka also runs NXT for deep-tech and emerging sectors, sector-specific accelerators, and the Karnataka Startup Cell that links founders with government departments and academia. The grants are pure grants-in-aid with no equity dilution, and selected startups also get incubation at recognised Karnataka incubators, structured mentoring, market access to government and corporate buyers, and follow-on VC introductions.
To qualify, startups must be registered in Karnataka as a private limited company, LLP, or partnership, be under ten years old, report turnover below Rs. 100 crore, and work on innovative products or services, with specific tracks adding founder-demographic or location criteria. Since inception, ELEVATE has funded 600-plus startups with grants of over Rs. 150 crore, and Karnataka-incorporated startups with a working prototype or early traction after non-dilutive grant capital and government ecosystem access should apply through eitbt.karnataka.gov.in.
Startup Karnataka currently has 4 programs listed in this directory, including ELEVATE Shakti 2026: Karnataka Women-Led Startup Grant, ELEVATE Aspire 2026: Karnataka Startup Grant for Startups Beyond Bengaluru, ELEVATE Unnati 2026 , Startup Karnataka Grant for SC/ST Founders. Each program page covers the funding amount, eligibility and application process.
Yes. Startup Karnataka is listed under the government category. Its programs follow official government processes, and applications are submitted through official channels in your own name.
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.
No. Applications are always submitted in your own name with the respective program authority. IncorpX is independent of Startup Karnataka and provides assistance for application preparation, document organisation and prerequisite registrations such as incorporation, DPIIT recognition, MSME and GST.
Tell us what you are building and which Startup Karnataka program you are evaluating. An IncorpX advisor will help you assess fit and get application-ready.
Thanks! An IncorpX advisor will reach out shortly to talk through Startup Karnataka and your next steps.
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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