GrantKarnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS), Dept. of Electronics, IT, BT and S&T, Govt. of Karnataka

Karnataka ELEVATE Idea2PoC Grant-in-Aid

Equity-free grant of up to ₹50 Lakhs for DPIIT-recognised Karnataka startups at the idea or early prototype stage. ELEVATE is Karnataka's flagship startup funding programme administered by KITS. The Idea2PoC cohort targets pre-revenue startups with novel, technology-led ideas — the grant funds prototype development, technology validation, and initial market testing over a 12-month milestone period. Cohorts are announced twice a year; shortlisted startups must present before an expert panel.

Maximum amount

₹50.0L

Typical payout

₹25.0L

Processing time

12–28 weeks

Application window

Cohort windows open twice annually — typically March and September.

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Eligibility criteria

Company type: Private Limited, LLP, One Person Company
Stage: Idea Stage, Pre-Revenue
States: Karnataka
Sectors: ai, saas, fintech, healthtech, agritech, edtech, cleantech, iot, deep_tech, biotech, other
Prerequisites: DPIIT Startup India recognition required

Documents required

DPIIT Recognition Certificate

Valid DPIIT Certificate of Recognition from the Startup India portal. Mandatory for ELEVATE — KITS cross-verifies recognition currency and Karnataka state selection during eligibility screening.

Tip: Download from startupindia.gov.in → Dashboard → My Recognition → Download Certificate. Ensure the recognition has not lapsed — renew at least 30 days before the cohort window closes.

Entity Incorporation Certificate

MCA-issued Certificate of Incorporation confirming the startup is legally registered as a Pvt Ltd, LLP, or OPC entity. The registered address must be in Karnataka.

Tip: Download the latest incorporation certificate from MCA21. If your registered address is outside Karnataka, update it before applying — KITS verifies state domicile strictly.

Aadhaar Card (All Founders/Directors)

Aadhaar cards of all founders and directors for KYC verification on the ELEVATE portal.

Tip: Self-attested scanned copies accepted. Masked Aadhaar (last 4 digits visible) is sufficient for digital submission.

PAN Card (Entity)

Entity PAN card of the registered startup for financial identity verification and grant disbursement routing.

Tip: Submit the startup entity PAN — not a founder's personal PAN. Entity name on PAN must match the incorporation certificate exactly.

Pitch Deck

10–15 slide presentation covering the problem, proposed solution, technology approach, target market, team background, and 12-month prototype/PoC milestones. This is the primary shortlisting document reviewed by the KITS expert panel.

Tip: Karnataka's ELEVATE panels look for clear technology differentiation and scalability beyond the state. Include at least one slide detailing how the ₹50L will be deployed against concrete milestones.

Detailed Project Report / Business Plan

Written document covering the innovation's technology objectives, prototype development plan, PoC validation methodology, market entry approach, and milestone-linked fund deployment schedule for the 12-month grant period.

Tip: Align every milestone to a clear deliverable — the grant is disbursed in tranches against milestone completion. Incomplete or vague milestones are the most common cause of delayed disbursement.

Karnataka Premises Proof (Registered Office)

Proof of a registered or operating address within Karnataka — accepted as a registered lease agreement, utility bill, or municipal khata at a Karnataka address. KITS verifies state location during due diligence.

Tip: If working out of a co-working space, obtain a formal NOC/address letter from the space operator on their letterhead. Utility bills must be dated within the last 3 months.

Bank Account Details (Cancelled Cheque)

Cancelled cheque or bank passbook copy for the startup entity's current account, used for direct grant disbursement by KITS.

Tip: Account must be in the startup entity's name — personal savings accounts are not accepted for grant credits.

GST Registration Certificate

GST registration certificate if the startup is registered for GST. Conditional — pre-revenue startups below the registration threshold may submit a declaration of non-applicability.

Tip: If not yet GST-registered, prepare a brief self-declaration explaining exemption status to avoid portal submission errors.

How to apply for ELEVATE Idea2PoC

Monitor elevate.karnataka.gov.in for the next cohort announcement — windows open twice a year (typically March and September). Create an account on the ELEVATE portal before the window opens.Open portal

Complete the online application form, upload all mandatory documents including pitch deck, DPR, and entity certificates, and submit before the cohort deadline.

KITS conducts an eligibility and document screening (2–4 weeks) — shortlisted startups receive an email invitation to present before the ELEVATE expert selection panel.

Shortlisted startups pitch before the KITS Expert Selection Committee — the committee evaluates innovation depth, scalability, technology readiness, and team capability.

Selected startups receive a formal Grant-in-Aid sanction letter from KITS and sign a milestone agreement specifying deliverables and disbursement schedule.

First tranche disbursed after agreement signing. Subsequent tranches released on milestone completion — submit milestone completion reports with supporting evidence through the ELEVATE portal.

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for ELEVATE Idea2PoC?

ELEVATE Idea2PoC is available to Private Limited, LLP, One Person Company companies at the Idea Stage, Pre-Revenue stage, across Karnataka. DPIIT Startup India recognition is mandatory.

How much funding does ELEVATE Idea2PoC provide?

ELEVATE Idea2PoC provides up to ₹50.0L. Most applicants receive around ₹25.0L.

How long does ELEVATE Idea2PoC approval take?

The typical processing time from submission to disbursement is 12–28 weeks.

Is ELEVATE Idea2PoC currently accepting applications?

Yes, ELEVATE Idea2PoC is currently active and accepting applications. Application window: Cohort windows open twice annually — typically March and September..

Do I need DPIIT recognition to apply for ELEVATE Idea2PoC?

Yes, DPIIT Startup India recognition is mandatory. Register at startupindia.gov.in before applying for ELEVATE Idea2PoC.

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Information is based on publicly available scheme guidelines. Always verify with official sources before applying.