ELEVATE NxT 2026
Department of Electronics, IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka
A one-time grant for deep tech startups, including those built on AI, ML, IoT, robotics and generative AI. Paid against milestones, with mentoring. Startups from anywhere in India can apply, but winners from outside Karnataka must move their registered office there. Selection runs through a masked jury review and two in-person pitch rounds.
What you can get
Up to ₹1 crore as grant-in-aid, released against milestones
Do you repay it?
No
Type
Grant
Where
Karnataka
Current status
Department page shows applications open 13 Oct 2026, 9:00 AM to 13 Nov 2026, 5:00 PM. Karnataka Startup Policy 2025-30 is the current policy. Published deadline: 13 November 2026.
Who can apply
- Registered as a private limited company, partnership firm, LLP or cooperative society anywhere in India
- Turnover of ₹300 crore or less in every year, and within 20 years of incorporation
- Independent entity with at least two team members, not a subsidiary or spin-off
- No ELEVATE grant in the last three years
- Real deep tech at technology readiness level 3 to 8, with evidence such as a prototype or patent filing
How to apply
- 1Register on the ELEVATE portal and fill in the online form
- 2Upload two pitch decks on the set templates, plus the affidavit and CA revenue certificate
- 3Clear the masked jury review, then pitch in person in Round 1 and the Grand Finale
The catch
A plain SaaS tool is unlikely to pass the deep tech test. The first deck must hide your company identity and stay to two slides, and winners from outside Karnataka must shift there within four months.
We read this on the official page on 4 November 2026. Rules and dates change, so confirm there before you apply. Founders Wing is not connected to this scheme, does not help with applications and never charges for access to it.