GrantKerala Startup Mission (KSUM), Dept. of Electronics & IT, Govt. of Kerala

KSUM ELEVATE — Kerala Scaling Startup Grant

Equity-free grant of up to ₹15 Lakhs for revenue-generating Kerala startups ready to scale beyond their initial market, under KSUM's ELEVATE programme. Distinct from the KSUM Idea Grant (already in DB) which targets pre-revenue ideas — ELEVATE is for startups with demonstrated traction (minimum ₹10L annual revenue or 500 paying users). Funds market expansion, product scaling, team hiring, and technology infrastructure. Cohort-based with 2 cycles per year. Startups must have been operational for at least 6 months and be incorporated as Pvt Ltd or LLP.

Maximum amount
₹15.0L
Typical payout
₹8.0L
Processing time
12–24 weeks
Application window
Cohort-based — 2 windows per year, typically January and July. Monitor startupmission.kerala.gov.in.

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Eligibility criteria

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

Documents required

1
DPIIT Recognition Certificate
Valid DPIIT Certificate of Recognition from Startup India portal. KSUM ELEVATE is restricted to DPIIT-recognised startups — recognition must be current and Kerala must be the selected state.
Tip: Ensure Kerala is selected as the primary state during DPIIT registration. KSUM cross-verifies state alignment. Renew recognition 30 days before the ELEVATE window opens.
2
Entity Incorporation Certificate (Kerala Address)
Certificate of Incorporation confirming the startup is a Pvt Ltd or LLP with a Kerala registered or operational address. KSUM verifies Kerala domicile — startups headquartered elsewhere do not qualify unless they have a demonstrably Kerala-based team and operations.
Tip: If registered outside Kerala, ensure your Kerala operational presence is documentable — a registered Kerala office lease, Kerala EPF establishment code, and Kerala-resident founding team strengthens eligibility.
3
Pitch Deck — Traction-Focused
10–15 slide deck demonstrating commercial traction (revenue, paying users, growth metrics), the scaling opportunity, team capability, and how the ₹15L ELEVATE grant will be deployed against a 12-month expansion roadmap. KSUM expert panels evaluate scaling potential heavily.
Tip: ELEVATE panels expect hard metrics — revenue growth rate, customer acquisition cost, lifetime value, and market expansion plan. Do not submit a generic early-stage pitch deck; ELEVATE is specifically for revenue-stage startups.
4
Revenue Evidence — Audited Financials or CA-Certified Revenue Statement
Audited financial statements OR CA-certified revenue statement showing minimum ₹10L annual revenue (or 500 paying users evidenced by payment records). This is the primary traction proof document reviewed by KSUM.
Tip: Startups without 1 full year of audited accounts should submit a CA-certified provisional revenue statement with bank statements showing customer payments. Monthly/annual recurring revenue clearly labeled strengthens the claim.
5
Bank Statement (12 Months)
12-month entity bank statement showing revenue inflows and operational expenses. Used by KSUM to verify revenue claims and assess financial management.
Tip: Highlight customer payment credits distinctly from capital infusions (investor money). KSUM wants to see genuine customer revenue, not just fundraising.
6
Business Plan — 12-Month Scaling Roadmap
Written scaling plan specifying: target markets to be entered, product features to be built, team hires planned, revenue targets for the 12-month grant period, and milestone-linked grant deployment schedule.
Tip: Align every milestone to a measurable outcome (revenue, users, pilots, hires) — KSUM disburses in tranches against milestone completion. Vague scaling plans without targets delay second-tranche disbursement significantly.
7
Bank Account Details (Cancelled Cheque)
Cancelled cheque for entity current account for ELEVATE grant disbursement.
Tip: Account must be in entity name. KSUM disburses grants only to entity accounts, not personal accounts.

How to apply for KSUM ELEVATE

1
Monitor startupmission.kerala.gov.in for the ELEVATE cohort announcement — windows open twice a year (typically January and July).Open portal
2
Submit the online application with DPIIT certificate, traction-focused pitch deck, revenue evidence, and 12-month scaling roadmap.
3
KSUM conducts document screening (2–3 weeks) — shortlisted startups receive an invitation for expert panel presentation.
4
Shortlisted startups present to the KSUM expert committee — traction, scalability, and team capability are evaluated. Kerala ecosystem fit is also considered.
5
Selected startups receive a Grant sanction letter and sign a milestone agreement specifying the 12-month deployment plan and disbursement schedule.
6
First tranche (50%) disbursed after agreement signing. Second tranche released after Milestone 1 completion with progress report submitted through KSUM portal.

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for KSUM ELEVATE?

KSUM ELEVATE is available to Private Limited, LLP companies at the Early Stage (Revenue < ₹1Cr), Growth Stage (₹1Cr–₹25Cr) stage, across Kerala. DPIIT Startup India recognition is mandatory.

How much funding does KSUM ELEVATE provide?

KSUM ELEVATE provides up to ₹15.0L. Most applicants receive around ₹8.0L.

How long does KSUM ELEVATE approval take?

The typical processing time from submission to disbursement is 12–24 weeks.

Is KSUM ELEVATE currently accepting applications?

Yes, KSUM ELEVATE is currently active and accepting applications. Application window: Cohort-based — 2 windows per year, typically January and July. Monitor startupmission.kerala.gov.in..

Do I need DPIIT recognition to apply for KSUM ELEVATE?

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

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