Deadline Date: February 17, 2026
The ELEVATE program is a Government of Karnataka initiative designed to support and fund innovative startups in Karnataka, helping them validate proof of concept and scale their solutions to the next level.
Priority sectors under Elevate NxT include Quantum Technologies, Energy & Climate, Mobility & Logistics, Generative AI, Cybersecurity and secure systems, Fintech, Space & Satellite, Aerospace and Defence, AgriTech & FoodTech, Health/Bio/Lifesciences, Nanotechnology, Semiconductors & Microelectronics, Industrial Automation, Advanced materials and Manufacturing, Robotics, and other advanced technology sectors. The ELEVATE program specifically targets startups that leverage advanced technologies to develop novel-to-market solutions for complex and unresolved challenges or that invent new technologies rooted in core scientific and engineering fundamentals. Eligible DeepTech innovations typically involve high technical complexity with the potential to redefine existing industries or create entirely new markets, integration of multiple technologies to solve problems at the intersection of domains, and a foundation in new scientific discoveries, complex engineering processes, or proprietary technology development.
Startups applying for the program undergo rigorous rounds of evaluation, with milestone-based funding and mentorship provided to support their growth. Selected startups are eligible for up to ₹1 crore in grant-in-aid support. Through this framework, the Department of Electronics, IT & BT aims to accelerate the growth of DeepTech ventures that demonstrate disruptive potential, societal relevance, and global competitiveness.
To qualify for the Elevate DeepTech track, applicants must be incorporated as a Private Limited Company, Registered Partnership Firm, or Limited Liability Partnership. Startups can be based anywhere across India, must have a turnover not exceeding INR 100 Crores in any financial year since incorporation, be within 10 years of incorporation, and operate as independent entities rather than subsidiaries, spin-offs, or internal divisions of existing companies. Applicants must have a minimum team size of two individuals, should not have received ELEVATE Grant-in-Aid support in the last three years, and must be addressing real-world problems or creating new market opportunities.
Eligible startups must demonstrate DeepTech characteristics as defined by national frameworks, including the use of advanced technologies such as AI/ML, IoT, Blockchain, AR/VR, Robotics, 3D Printing, and Drones, offer novel-to-market solutions rooted in science or engineering fundamentals, operate at a Technology Readiness Level between 3 and 8 with supporting evidence, show intellectual property potential through patents or proprietary algorithms, demonstrate complexity sufficient to redefine or create new markets, and integrate multiple technologies to solve complex problems.
For more information, visit IT BT Department, Karnataka.
