- Funds deep technology startups with a grant of up to Rs. 1 crore.
- The grant is equity-free and released in tranches as project milestones are met.
- Open to startups across India, with winners required to move their registered office to the state.
- Connects selected startups to government-backed incubators, mentors and market linkages.
- Startup Karnataka Helpline Number :- 080-22231007.
- Startup Karnataka Helpdesk Email :- startupcell@karnataka.gov.in.
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Summary of the Scheme
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|---|---|
| Name of Scheme | Karnataka ELEVATE NxT Scheme 2026-27 |
| Benefits | One-time, equity-free grant-in-aid of up to ₹1 crore. |
| Beneficiary | Eligible deep-tech startups registered anywhere in India. |
| Nodal Agency | Department of Electronics, IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka. |
| Subscription | Subscribe here to get Update Regarding Scheme |
| Mode of Apply | Online through the official ELEVATE portal |
Karnataka ELEVATE NxT 2026-27: Equity-Free Grant of Up to ₹1 Crore for Deep-Tech Startups
Deep-tech startups often need years of research and heavy investment before they earn anything. Karnataka’s ELEVATE NxT Scheme offers a one-time, equity-free grant of up to ₹1 crore, plus mentorship and incubation support. It is open to eligible startups anywhere in India.
Deadline alert: Applications close on 13 November 2026 at 5:00 PM IST. As of today (7 November), that is six days away. The application needs two pitch decks, a notarised affidavit and several CA-certified documents, so start now.
What is the scheme?
Karnataka ELEVATE NxT 2026-27 is run by the Department of Electronics, IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka, and implemented through the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS). Its formal name is the ELEVATE DeepTech Grant-in-Aid Scheme under the Local Economy Accelerator Programme (LEAP). It follows the operational guidelines of the Karnataka Startup Policy 2025-2030.
The scheme targets the funding gap between early research and commercialisation. It supports startups at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 3 to 8, from experimental proof of concept to a complete, qualified system.
The first ELEVATE NxT edition received 983 applications and supported 33 deep-tech startups with ₹30 crore, including 12 women-led startups. This is one of two current ELEVATE calls. The other is the ELEVATE Minorities Scheme 2026, with up to ₹50 lakh in grants. The portal says a startup can apply to both if it meets each call’s eligibility.
Scheme at a glance
| Benefit | One-time, equity-free grant of up to ₹1 crore |
| Who can apply | Eligible deep-tech startups registered anywhere in India |
| Nodal agency | Department of Electronics, IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka |
| Mode of application | Online only, via the ELEVATE portal |
| Applications open | 13 October 2026, 9:00 AM IST |
| Last date | 13 November 2026, 5:00 PM IST |
| Helpline | 080-22231007 |
What do selected startups get?
- A grant of up to ₹1,00,00,000 per startup, with no equity taken by the government
- Payment in two tranches: the first after completing the required formalities, the second after approved project milestones are met
- Mapping to K-Tech Innovation Partners, including government-backed incubators, accelerators and sector-specific Centres of Excellence
- Domain-specific mentorship
- Subsidised incubation
- Technology validation support
- Market linkages through the state’s innovation ecosystem
Who is eligible?
Failing any one of these means rejection at the screening stage.
- Entity type: a Private Limited Company, a registered Partnership Firm, an LLP, or a State or Multi-State Co-operative Society.
- Location: incorporated and based anywhere in India.
- Age: within 20 years of incorporation at the time of application.
- Turnover: not more than ₹300 crore in any financial year since incorporation.
- Team: at least two individuals in the founding or core team, so a single-founder startup does not qualify.
- Independence: not a subsidiary, spin-off or internal division of an existing company.
- Prior grants: no ELEVATE Grant-in-Aid benefit in the last three years, counted from 13 October 2026.
- Ownership: ownership terms must not be altered to the founders’ advantage during the project.
- Deep tech: the innovation must be rooted in advanced technology, with high technical complexity and strong IP potential.
- Impact: it must address a genuine problem in industry, society or the environment, or create a new market.
- TRL: a declared Technology Readiness Level between 3 and 8. Startups at TRL 9 or below TRL 3 fall outside the band.
An entity formed by splitting or reconstructing an existing business is not treated as a startup.
Moving to Karnataka: A winner registered outside Karnataka must shift its registered office to Karnataka within four months of the result announcement. Failing to do so means the application is treated as rejected.
Why 20 years and ₹300 crore?
The call uses the DPIIT definition of a Deep Tech Startup. An ordinary startup gets 10 years and a ₹200 crore turnover ceiling. A recognised Deep Tech Startup gets 20 years and ₹300 crore, and ELEVATE NxT uses those limits.
A startup qualifies as deep tech if, broadly, it:
- Builds on new knowledge or advances in science or engineering
- Spends a high share of revenue or funding on R&D
- Owns or is creating significant novel IP, such as patents or proprietary algorithms, and is working to commercialise it
- Faces long development timelines, high capital needs and large technical uncertainty
- Uses advanced technologies such as AI/ML, IoT, blockchain, big data, AR/VR, robotics, 3D printing or drones
- Could redefine industries or create new markets, often across multiple domains
A patent is not listed as mandatory. A patent filing or grant certificate is requested “if applicable” and strengthens the IP assessment.
Priority sectors
The list is not restrictive. Any domain can apply if it meets the deep-tech test.
- Quantum Technologies
- Energy and Climate
- Mobility and Logistics
- Generative AI
- Cybersecurity and Secure Systems
- Fintech
- Space and Satellite
- Aerospace and Defence
- AgriTech and FoodTech
- Health, Bio and Life Sciences
- Nanotechnology
- Semiconductors and Microelectronics
- Industrial Automation
- Advanced Materials and Manufacturing
- Robotics
- Other advanced technology domains, specified in the application
Understanding the TRL band
| TRL | Stage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Experimental proof of concept | R&D has begun, with lab studies validating predictions |
| 4 | Validated in lab | Evidence that target performance may be achievable |
| 5 | Validated in relevant environment | Semi-integrated system or model validated in a simulated environment |
| 6 | Demonstrated in relevant environment | Prototype demonstrated in a simulated environment |
| 7 | Prototype in operational environment | Prototype verified in a real operational environment |
| 8 | System complete and qualified | Actual system manufactured and qualified in an operational environment |
The department links a TRL reference guide on the YUKTI portal of the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell. It is background reading, not an ELEVATE rule.
Documents required
Missing or invalid documents lead to automatic rejection.
- Valid Certificate of Incorporation
- Memorandum of Association (Private Limited), or LLP Deed or Partnership Deed
- CA-certified revenue certificate for FY 2025-26, confirming turnover below ₹300 crore
- CA-attested shareholding pattern
- Patent filing or grant certificate, if applicable
- Pitch Deck 1: anonymised qualification deck, maximum two slides
- Pitch Deck 2: business model deck on the portal template
- Startup Affidavit, notarised on ₹100 e-stamp paper, with the startup as first party and KITS as second party, as a PDF under 10 MB
- Certified true copy of the Board or Partners’ resolution authorising the signatories, appended to the affidavit
- Annexure A to the affidavit, listing prior government funding, or marked “NIL”
Templates for the affidavit, CA revenue certificate and CA shareholding pattern are linked on the portal.
Pitch deck rules
Departing from the prescribed format, length or anonymity rules can lead to disqualification.
Pitch Deck 1 (qualification deck)
- Fully anonymised: no company name, logo, founder names, address or patent details
- Maximum two slides, justifying why you are a deep-tech startup
- Follow the prescribed slide order and don’t alter the template
- Clear, concise language; jargon only if explained
- Accurate, verifiable data (false claims disqualify)
- PDF or PPT only
Pitch Deck 2 (business model deck)
This deck is used at the in-person pitch and is not anonymised. It follows the portal template and covers:
- Company introduction, including CIN and each Director’s or Partner’s DIN and shareholding
- Problem statement with quantified data and sources
- Product or solution, the innovation, comparison with alternatives, R&D and partnerships
- Product readiness and TRL, with images and technical details
- Socio-economic impact, including job creation in Karnataka and alignment with UN SDGs, with figures
- Team background and capability
- Market landscape (TAM, SAM, SOM) and competitors
- Business model and strategy
- Revenue model, pricing and multi-year forecast
How to apply
Applications are online only, through the official ELEVATE portal.
- Visit the ELEVATE portal and click Register.
- Log in with your account.
- Select the call ELEVATE NxT, after checking eligibility.
- Fill in the company and founder details.
- Write the 200-word self-justification explaining why you qualify as deep tech.
- Select your TRL (3 to 8) from the dropdown.
- Upload both pitch decks, the notarised affidavit and all supporting documents.
- Review everything, since incomplete applications are rejected.
- Submit before 13 November 2026, 5:00 PM.
- Note the unique ELEVATE ID generated on submission. It is used to track your application.
Selection process
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Eligibility check | Documents and conditions are screened (20-year and ₹300 crore limits, among others) |
| 2. Identity masking | Each startup gets a unique ID; two jury members are assigned, having signed confidentiality and conflict-of-interest declarations |
| 3. Deep-tech evaluation | The jury reviews Pitch Deck 1 and your TRL. At least one of two jurors must approve; if both reject, you are disqualified and the decision is final |
| 4. First in-person pitch | Shortlisted startups present. You need 60 out of 100 to reach the Grand Finale |
| 5. Grand Finale | Round 1 score counts for 40% and the Finale for 60%. Final selection is subject to approval by the ELEVATE Evaluation Committee, chaired by the Secretary of the Department |
Scoring criteria (100 marks)
| Criterion | Marks |
|---|---|
| Depth of research and development efforts | 20 |
| Strength of foundation and technical evaluation | 20 |
| Clarity of commercialisation strategy and business model | 20 |
| Potential socio-economic effect | 20 |
| Experience and expertise of the founding team | 10 |
| Budget allocation and grant utilisation plan | 10 |
Key dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Call announced | 12 October 2026 |
| Applications open | 13 October 2026, 9:00 AM IST |
| Last date to apply | 13 November 2026, 5:00 PM IST |
Read the affidavit conditions before you sign
The affidavit carries obligations that aren’t in the application form:
- All founding Directors, Partners or Co-operative members sign as deponents, with full name, parentage, age, address and Aadhaar or PAN number.
- The complete shareholding or partnership interest must be declared, naming every shareholder and their percentage.
- Deponents confirm they accept the Operational Guidelines of the Karnataka Startup Policy 2025-2030.
- They declare that no grant under the ELEVATE Idea2PoC scheme was received in the three years before applications opened.
- All prior government funding (grants, subsidies, tax benefits, seed funding, soft loans) goes in Annexure A.
- If two or more applications sharing a common promoter, director or partner reach the Grand Finale, only the highest scorer can receive the grant, and that decision is final.
- Tell KITS in writing within 15 days if you receive any other government funding while the grant is being processed or used.
- Report any material change in shareholding, directorship or control promptly.
- If information is false or misleading, KITS may cancel the application without notice, and the deponents and the company are jointly and severally liable to refund the entire grant.
- Disputes are governed by Indian law, with the Bengaluru courts having exclusive jurisdiction.
Related scheme
For earlier-stage innovators building prototypes or MVPs, there is the Karnataka Rajiv Gandhi Entrepreneurship Program, which is a separate support route.
Need help?
- Helpline: 080-22231007
- Email: startupcell@karnataka.gov.in
Frequently asked questions
Can a startup registered outside Karnataka apply?
Yes, it’s a pan-India call. A winner must shift its registered office to Karnataka within four months of the result announcement.
Can I apply to both ELEVATE NxT and ELEVATE Minorities?
Yes, if you meet each call’s eligibility.
My startup is at TRL 9 and already deployed. Can I apply?
No. The eligible band is TRL 3 to 8.
Does the government take equity?
No. The grant is equity-free.
Is a patent compulsory?
No. It is requested only if applicable, but it strengthens the IP assessment.
Can a single-founder startup apply?
No. At least two individuals are needed in the founding or core team.
What is the turnover limit?
₹300 crore in any financial year since incorporation.
What is the last date?
13 November 2026, 5:00 PM IST.