Karnataka ELEVATE grants: Rs 1 crore for deep-tech, Rs 50 lakh for minority founders
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Karnataka launched ELEVATE NxT 2026-27 (up to Rs 1 crore for deep-tech) and ELEVATE Minorities 2026 (up to Rs 50 lakh); applications run 13 October to 13 November.
What Happened
The Karnataka government on Monday, 12 October 2026, launched two start-up grant programmes: ELEVATE NxT 2026-27, which offers deep-tech start-ups support of up to Rs 1 crore, and ELEVATE Minorities 2026, which offers start-ups founded by entrepreneurs from minority communities a one-time grant of up to Rs 50 lakh. Both are run by the state's Department of Electronics, IT and Biotechnology. Applications open on Tuesday, 13 October, and close on Friday, 13 November 2026, through the department's official website.
Key Facts
- ELEVATE NxT 2026-27: for deep-tech start-ups working on advanced science and engineering; support of up to Rs 1 crore.
- ELEVATE Minorities 2026: one-time grant of up to Rs 50 lakh for start-ups founded by minority entrepreneurs.
- Eligible communities for ELEVATE Minorities are those recognised by the Karnataka State Minorities Commission and the Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation, including Muslims, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs and Parsis.
- Application window: 13 October to 13 November 2026; one report gives the closing time as 5 pm.
- Applications are made online on the website of the Department of Electronics, IT and Biotechnology.
- The department describes ELEVATE Minorities as a dedicated route to early-stage funding and support, and ELEVATE NxT as a programme for start-ups building breakthrough technologies.
Why It Matters
Early-stage founders often find the hardest money to raise is the first, when there is a prototype or an idea but little revenue. Venture capital firms tend to wait for proof that customers will pay. Grants such as ELEVATE fill this gap because they do not ask founders to give up a share of their company. For a deep-tech start-up, whose products, such as new materials, medical devices, semiconductors or space hardware, can take years to reach the market, a grant of up to Rs 1 crore can pay for the testing and certification that private investors are reluctant to fund.
ELEVATE has run in earlier rounds as well. Offering it this year as a deep-tech track and a minorities track shows two different aims. The first is to keep Bengaluru and the rest of the state competitive in high-value technology. The second is to widen who gets to start a company: a dedicated pool means minority founders compete among themselves for a set amount of money, rather than with every applicant in the state.
For founders outside Karnataka, the programmes are also a guide to what states are now offering. Several states run their own start-up funds, and the choice of where to register a company can depend on these schemes. Applicants should read the official notice carefully: eligibility rules, such as limits on company age and turnover and the stage of technology development required, are set out there, and they can change between rounds.
| Programme | Who can apply | Maximum support |
|---|---|---|
| ELEVATE NxT 2026-27 | Deep-tech start-ups | Rs 1 crore |
| ELEVATE Minorities 2026 | Start-ups founded by minority entrepreneurs | Rs 50 lakh (one-time grant) |
| Both | Applications open | 13 October 2026 |
| Both | Applications close | 13 November 2026 |
Impact
Short-term: Eligible founders have a month to prepare and submit applications, including their business plans and technical details.
Long-term: If the grants reach strong teams, they could help more deep-tech firms survive the long gap before revenue, and bring more founders from minority communities into Karnataka's start-up ecosystem.
Who is affected: Deep-tech start-ups registered or planning to operate in Karnataka; minority entrepreneurs at an early stage; incubators and accelerators that help founders apply; and investors who use state grants as a signal when backing companies.
Key Takeaway
Karnataka is offering deep-tech start-ups up to Rs 1 crore and minority founders up to Rs 50 lakh in grants, with applications open from 13 October to 13 November 2026.
Questions and Answers
What is ELEVATE NxT 2026-27?
It is a Karnataka government programme that gives eligible deep-tech start-ups support of up to Rs 1 crore. Applications are open from 13 October to 13 November 2026.
Who can apply for ELEVATE Minorities 2026?
Start-ups founded by entrepreneurs from minority communities recognised by the Karnataka State Minorities Commission and the Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation, including Muslims, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs and Parsis. The grant is up to Rs 50 lakh.
How do I apply, and what is the deadline?
Applications are submitted online on the website of Karnataka's Department of Electronics, IT and Biotechnology. The window closes on 13 November 2026, with one report giving 5 pm as the closing time.
Do founders have to give up equity for these grants?
The programmes are described as grants, not investments. Founders should check the official terms for conditions on how the money must be used.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
Sourced and fact-checked by the Peepals Global Editorial Team
Reported, fact-checked and published by the Peepals Global Editorial Team.
