GrantDept. of Electronics, IT, BT and S&T, Govt. of Karnataka

Karnataka Startup Policy — Patent & Quality Certification Incentive

Reimbursement of up to ₹10 Lakhs for costs incurred in filing patents and obtaining quality/product certifications, available to DPIIT-recognised Karnataka startups under the Karnataka Startup Policy 2022–27. Patent reimbursement covers Indian and international (PCT) patent filing fees. Quality certification reimbursement covers ISO, BIS, CE, NABL, and sector-specific certifications. Startups may claim both patent and certification reimbursements in the same financial year subject to the ₹10L cap.

Maximum amount
₹10.0L
Typical payout
₹4.0L
Processing time
4–12 weeks
Application window
Rolling application — claims can be submitted throughout the financial year.

Check if your startup qualifies for Karnataka Startup Policy — Patent & Quality Certification Incentive

Answer a few questions about your company and get a free, personalised eligibility report across all active government schemes — including KA Startup Patent.

Check eligibility — free

Eligibility criteria

Company type
Private Limited, LLP, One Person Company
Stage
Pre-Revenue, Early Stage (Revenue < ₹1Cr), Growth Stage (₹1Cr–₹25Cr)
States
Karnataka
Sectors
ai, saas, fintech, healthtech, agritech, edtech, cleantech, iot, deep_tech, biotech, manufacturing, other
Prerequisites
  • DPIIT Startup India recognition required

Documents required

1
DPIIT Recognition Certificate
Valid DPIIT Certificate of Recognition confirming active Startup India status. Mandatory eligibility requirement for all Karnataka Startup Policy incentives.
Tip: Download from startupindia.gov.in → Dashboard. Ensure the recognition expiry date is beyond the date of filing your incentive claim.
2
Entity Incorporation Certificate
MCA-issued Certificate of Incorporation confirming the startup is registered as Pvt Ltd, LLP, or OPC with a Karnataka registered address.
Tip: Download the latest MCA21 certificate. Any address change must be filed with MCA before submitting the claim.
3
Patent Filing Receipt or Grant Certificate
Indian Patent Office (IPO) or PCT filing receipt confirming the patent application has been filed, or the granted patent certificate. Covers Indian patents and PCT/international patent applications filed through the IPO.
Tip: Even a provisional patent application filing receipt qualifies for reimbursement. Include the application number, filing date, and IPO acknowledgement. Reimbursement is claimed after filing, not after grant.
4
Quality Certification Award Letter
Official certification award letter or certificate from the certifying body (ISO, BIS, CE, NABL, etc.) confirming that the certification has been successfully obtained.
Tip: Include the certification scope, issue date, and validity period. Sector-specific certifications (drug licence, FSSAI, etc.) are also eligible — confirm the specific list with KITS before applying.
5
Invoices and Payment Receipts
Original invoices and payment receipts for patent filing fees paid to IPO/agent or certification body fees. All expenditures must be post-recognition and within the current Karnataka Startup Policy tenure.
Tip: Retain all original receipts. CA-certified expenditure statement may be required for claims above ₹5L — check KITS guidelines for the current financial year threshold.
6
Bank Account Details
Cancelled cheque or passbook copy for the startup entity's current account for reimbursement disbursement.
Tip: Account must be in the entity's name — personal accounts are not accepted for government reimbursements.

How to apply for KA Startup Patent

1
Ensure DPIIT recognition is active and the startup is incorporated in Karnataka — both are mandatory before filing a reimbursement claim.
2
File the patent with the Indian Patent Office or obtain the quality certification from the relevant certifying body — reimbursement is claimed after the filing/certification is confirmed.
3
Log in to the Karnataka Startup Policy portal and navigate to the Patent & Certification Incentive claim section.Open portal
4
Upload patent filing receipts or certification award letters along with invoices and entity documents. Submit the reimbursement claim form.
5
KITS reviews the claim (4–8 weeks) — verification of patent/certification authenticity and eligibility check. Reimbursement credited directly to the startup's bank account on approval.

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for KA Startup Patent?

KA Startup Patent is available to Private Limited, LLP, One Person Company companies at the Pre-Revenue, Early Stage (Revenue < ₹1Cr), Growth Stage (₹1Cr–₹25Cr) stage, across Karnataka. DPIIT Startup India recognition is mandatory.

How much funding does KA Startup Patent provide?

KA Startup Patent provides up to ₹10.0L. Most applicants receive around ₹4.0L.

How long does KA Startup Patent approval take?

The typical processing time from submission to disbursement is 4–12 weeks.

Is KA Startup Patent currently accepting applications?

Yes, KA Startup Patent is currently active and accepting applications. Application window: Rolling application — claims can be submitted throughout the financial year..

Do I need DPIIT recognition to apply for KA Startup Patent?

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

Ready to apply for Karnataka Startup Policy — Patent & Quality Certification Incentive?

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