Applications Invited for Elevate 2025 Challenge

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About the Organization

To position Karnataka as a global hub for Innovation and Technology leadership.

Dedicated to driving the state’s tech revolution, the department formulates forward-thinking policies, fosters innovation ecosystems, and supports the growth of the electronics, IT, and biotechnology sectors. Through its strategic initiatives the department promotes entrepreneurship, facilitates industry-academia collaborations, and enhances the state's technological capabilities. By nurturing a conducive environment for startups, attracting global investments, and empowering local talent, the department is instrumental in transforming Karnataka into a hub of innovation and knowledge-driven economic development.

About the Grant  

The Idea2PoC/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.

Objective:

One-time Grant-in-Aid, of up to INR 50 Lakhs, will be provided to startups requiring early – stage seed funding support to develop their ideas to a proof-of-concept stage and to scale up their businesses through technology advancements. Startups recognised under this program will be given mentoring and incubation support at subsidized rates at Government supported incubation centres to help in product development and validation.

Eligibility

• The Startup should be incorporated as a private limited company (as defined in the Companies Act, 2013) or registered as a partnership firm (registered under section 59 of the Partnership Act, 1932) or a limited liability partnership (under the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008) in Karnataka.
• Turnover of the entity for any of the financial years since incorporation/ registration has not exceeded INR 100 Crores.
• An entity shall be considered as a startup up to 10 years from the date of its incorporation.
• The Startup should be working towards innovation/ improvement of existing products, services and processes and should have the potential to generate employment/ create wealth.

Elevate Unnati 2025 (SC/ST Entrepreneurs):

• The Startup should be incorporated as a private limited company (as defined in the Companies Act, 2013) or registered as a partnership firm (registered under section 59 of the Partnership Act, 1932) or a limited liability partnership (under the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008) in Karnataka.
• Turnover of the entity for any of the financial years since incorporation/ registration has not exceeded INR 100 Crores.
• An entity shall be considered as a startup up to 10 years from the date of its incorporation.
• The Startup should be working towards innovation/ improvement of existing products, services and processes and should have the potential to generate employment/ create wealth.
• At least one of the Director(s)/ Partner(s) or collectively must belong to the SC/ST community and such SC/ST member(s) must hold a minimum of 70% equity in the company/ firm. The shareholding pattern as on the date of application and during the entire project duration must reflect this requirement. Any dilution or change in ownership that breaches this condition will lead to disqualification or termination of assistance.
• The SC/ ST Director(s)/ Partner(s) should possess a valid digital caste certificate issued by the Revenue Department, Govt. of Karnataka with a valid RD NUMBER.

Elevate Minorities 2025:

• The Startup should be incorporated as a private limited company (as defined in the Companies Act, 2013) or registered as a partnership firm (registered under section 59 of the Partnership Act, 1932) or a limited liability partnership (under the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008) in Karnataka.
• Turnover of the entity for any of the financial years since incorporation/ registration has not exceeded INR 100 Crores.
• An entity shall be considered as a startup up to 10 years from the date of its incorporation.
• The Startup should be working towards innovation/ improvement of existing products, services and processes and should have the potential to generate employment/ create wealth.
• At least one of the Director(s)/ Partner(s) or collectively must belong to the Minority community and such Minority member(s) must hold a minimum of 51% equity in the company/ firm. The shareholding pattern as on the date of application and during the entire project duration must reflect this requirement. Any dilution or change in ownership that breaches this condition will lead to disqualification or termination of assistance.
• The Director(s)/ Partner(s) belonging to the Minority community should possess a valid digital minority certificate issued by the Revenue Department, Govt. of Karnataka with a valid RD NUMBER.

How to Apply

The selection process for startups involves four stages of evaluation after submitting the online application form via the Startup Karnataka Portal (https://eitbt.karnataka.gov.in/en through www.missionstartupkarnataka.org):

• Stage 1: Eligibility check and document verification
• Stage 2: Pitch deck evaluation
• Stage 3: Multi-city pitching
• Stage 4: Grand Finale

Mandatory documents :

(Please ensure that the following documents are ready as per the format and file size mentioned)

• Incorporation/ Registration Certificate (In PDF Format. file size to be less than 1 MB)
• Stakeholder’s caste certificate issued by the Revenue Department, Government of Karnataka in case of SC/ST or Minority Director(s)/ Partner(s) (PDF format, file size < 1 MB).
• Company MoA/ Partnership Deed (In PDF Format. Each file size should be less than 1 MB
• Startup Affidavit signed by Promoters and notarized on INR 200 (Rupees Two
• Hundred Only) e-stamp paper (First party: Your Startup Name; Second Party: KARNATAKA INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY SOCIETY (PDF format, file size <1 MB).
• Pitch Deck (In PDF Format. file size to be less than 5 MB)

Download Pitch Deck and Affidavit Template

Deadline: 15th September 2025, 5:00 PM

For more information please check the Link

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Tags Entrepreneurship Innovations and Technology Others