Applications open for ELEVATE Grant-in-Aid Program (India)

The focus areas, of this programme include supporting early-stage innovation, enabling startup-led product and service development, promoting proof-of-concept creation, encouraging technology and process improvement, and fostering employment generation and market opportunities. It also emphasizes incubation support, mentoring, and strengthening startup ecosystems through government-backed institutions.

The ELEVATE programme offers a one-time Grant-in-Aid of up to INR 50,00,000 to selected startups requiring early-stage seed funding. The total cumulative grant support across multiple applications is also capped at INR 50,00,000 per startup. Alongside financial assistance, selected startups receive mentoring and incubation support at subsidized rates from government-backed incubation centres to support product development and validation.

Startups may apply for multiple calls under the programme; however, a single pitch will be evaluated across all applied categories. Selection is based on suitability and fund availability, with startups being considered under the most appropriate category during evaluation.

Eligible applicants include Private Limited Companies, Registered Partnership Firms, Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), One Person Companies, and eligible Cooperative Societies registered in India. Startups must be based in Karnataka, have a turnover not exceeding INR 200 crore, be within 10 years of incorporation, operate as independent entities, and maintain a minimum team size of two members.

Applicants must not have previously received ELEVATE funding within the last three years. The startup must focus on innovation and demonstrate potential to create employment, generate wealth, or develop new market opportunities while maintaining stable ownership conditions throughout the project period.

For more information, visit Government of Karnataka.