Proof of Concept & Pilot
Government First Programme – First Call for Karnataka-Based Startups
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About
Government First is a Karnataka government initiative inviting Karnataka-based startups with deployment-ready solutions (TRL ≥ 7) to apply for funded pilot work orders of up to ₹25 lakh to address departmental problem statements from Praja Seva and BWSSB, with applications open until 23 October 2026.
Benefits
- 💰Pilot Work Order — Selected startups can receive a direct work order of up to ₹25 lakh, subject to technical evaluation, for pilot deployment and evaluation
- 🧪Real-World Validation — Opportunity to pilot, test, and validate solutions in a real-world government environment
- 🏛️ Government as Early Customer — Initiative aims to provide startups registered in Karnataka with early market access and a potential pathway to Government adoption
- 📈Procurement Pathway — Solutions demonstrating measurable impact, operational effectiveness, and value for public service delivery may be considered for procurement in Government Departments, Boards and Corporations (conditional; not guaranteed)
Eligibility Criteria
- Mandatory: Karnataka-based/registered startups; registered with KITS; incorporated as Private Limited Company, OPC, Registered Partnership Firm, LLP, Multi-State Cooperative Society or Cooperative Society; turnover not exceeding INR 200 crore for non-Deeptech startups or INR 300 crore for Deeptech startups in any financial year since incorporation; within 10 years for non-Deeptech or 20 years for Deeptech from incorporation at time of application; independent entity not a subsidiary, spin-off, franchise, reseller, group company, Section 8 company, trust, society, association, non-profit, merger/demerger, or part of a Government initiative/PPP/aided partner; TRL ≥ 7; addressing a real-world problem; only one application per entity; mandatory documents include incorporation/registration certificate, MoA/partnership deed/LLP deed, notarized startup affidavit on INR 100 e-stamp paper, and solution docket. Preferred: None explicitly stated.
Participation Commitments
- Selected startups are expected to deploy their solution for the funded pilot; the progress of the pilot will be evaluated in a time-bound manner.
Target Region
Karnataka, India — applicants must be Karnataka-based startups; the official page states startups registered in Karnataka and General Terms require startups to be registered with KITS.
Target Sector
Energy & Utilities, Government & Public Sector
Department of Electronics, IT, Biotechnology and Science & Technology (IT BT Department), Government of Karnataka; implemented by Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS).