ELEVATE NxT 2026-27 DeepTech Grant-in-Aid

About

Karnataka's Department of Electronics, IT and BT offers pan-India DeepTech startups at Technology Readiness Level 3–8 a milestone-based grant-in-aid of up to ₹1 crore plus mentorship and subsidised incubation, with applications open from 13 October 2026 until 13 November 2026, 5:00 PM IST.

Benefits

• 💰Grant-in-aid of up to ₹1 crore
  Selected startups are eligible for up to ₹1 crore in grant-in-aid support, disbursed in two tranches: the first after post-selection formalities and agreements are completed, and the second after approved milestones are achieved and verified; it is not an upfront lump sum.
• 🧑‍🏫 Mentorship
  Selected startups receive mentoring and guidance through the ELEVATE ecosystem.
• 🏢Subsidised incubation
  Selected startups receive incubation support at government-backed incubation centres at subsidised rates.
• 🤝Technology validation and market linkage
  Startups are connected to K-Tech partners, centres of excellence and other partners for technology validation, market linkage and industry connect.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be one of the accepted entity types: a Private Limited Company under the Companies Act 2013, a registered Partnership Firm under Section 59 of the Partnership Act 1932, a Limited Liability Partnership under the LLP Act 2008, a State or Multi-State Co-operative Society, or a Multi-State Cooperative Society registered with the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies.
• The startup must be an independent entity and not a subsidiary, spin-off or internal division of an existing company.
• The startup must not have received an ELEVATE Grant-in-Aid benefit in the last three years.
• Terms of ownership must not be altered to the founders' advantage during the project.
• Startups can be incorporated and based anywhere across India.
• Turnover must not exceed ₹300 crore in any financial year since incorporation or registration.
• The startup must be within 20 years from the date of incorporation at the time of application.
• At least two individuals must be in the founding or core team.
• The innovation must be rooted in advanced technology with high technical complexity and strong IP potential.
• The startup must address a genuine problem in industry, society or the environment, or create a new market.
• The startup must declare a Technology Readiness Level between 3 and 8 for the underlying technology.
• The applicant must self-identify as a startup.

Participation Commitments

• Applications must be submitted online through the Department portal between 13 October 2026, 9:00 AM IST and 13 November 2026, 5:00 PM IST.
• Applicants must complete all fields of the online form with the required company and founder details.
• Applicants must provide a 200-word self-justification explaining why the startup qualifies.
• Applicants must select their Technology Readiness Level (TRL 3–8) from the dropdown.
• Applicants must upload Pitch Deck 1 (Qualification), anonymised and a maximum of two slides, containing no company name, logo, founder name, company address or patent details, in the prescribed order and template.
• Applicants must upload Pitch Deck 2 (Business Model) following the prescribed portal template; it is presented at the in-person pitching stage and is not anonymised.
• Mandatory documents include the incorporation certificate, MOA/LLP deed/partnership deed, a CA-certified revenue certificate for FY 2025–26 confirming turnover below ₹300 crore, CA-attested shareholding proof, both pitch decks and a notarised startup affidavit on ₹100 e-stamp paper naming Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS) as second party, submitted as PDF under 10 MB.
• A patent filing or grant certificate may be submitted if applicable.
• Shortlisted startups must present in person and score at least 60 marks in Round 1 to qualify for the Grand Finale.
• The final score is a weighted average of 40% from Round 1 in-person pitching and 60% from the Grand Finale pitching.
• Startups registered outside Karnataka that are declared winners must change their Registered Office of Company to Karnataka within four months from the date of result announcement, failing which the application is treated as rejected.

Target Sector

Sector agnostic, Agriculture & Food, Defense & Security, Education, Energy & Utilities, Financial Services, Government & Public Sector, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment, Real Estate & Construction, Retail & Consumer, Semiconductors & Electronics, Sports & Fitness, Telecommunications, Transportation & Logistics, Travel & Hospitality, Other

Target Location

Startups may be incorporated and based anywhere across India; the call is open Pan-India to DeepTech startups.