CNEST TBI 2.0 — KLE Tech Belagavi, Karnataka

CNEST – Centre for Next-Gen Entrepreneurship in Science & Technology Foundation is the Technology Business Incubator (TBI 2.0) at KLE Technological University, Dr M S Sheshgiri Campus, Belagavi. It is one of eleven TBI 2.0 incubators launched by the Department of IT, BT (Government of Karnataka), with each parent institution receiving ₹10 crore in government backing to promote deep-tech entrepreneurship in tier-2 and tier-3 areas of Karnataka and the wider "Beyond Bengaluru" startup belt.

The programme is a successor to the earlier NAIN Centre at KLE Tech Belagavi, which has been operational since 2018. CNEST operates from a dedicated 5,100 sq. ft. facility on the Dr M S Sheshgiri Campus and provides a structured incubation pathway covering mentorship, infrastructure (co-working space, labs and equipment), prototype and MVP development support, investor readiness, industry networking, and national-level exposure.

The current call invites students, faculty-led ventures, alumni, early-stage innovators, and registered startups working in Smart Healthcare (MedTech), Sustainable AgriTech, AI/ML and Smart Manufacturing. Adjacent science and technology domains aligned with the TBI 2.0 thesis, such as biotech, clean-tech, robotics, and ICT, are also welcome. Geographically, CNEST's TBI 2.0 mandate covers founders from Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra, making Belagavi a tri-state incubation node. Selected startups receive up to ₹10 lakh of equity-free seed support. Applications close on 13 June 2026.

• Up to ₹10 lakh equity-free seed support per startup
• Karnataka TBI 2.0 programme at KLE Tech Belagavi with ₹10 crore government backing per TBI
• Dedicated 5,100 sq. ft. incubation facility at Dr M S Sheshgiri Campus
• Tri-state mandate — open to founders from Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra
• Focus: Smart Healthcare (MedTech), Sustainable AgriTech, AI/ML, Smart Manufacturing

The programme is open to students, faculty, alumni, early-stage innovators, and registered startups working in AgriTech, MedTech, AI/ML, DeepTech or adjacent science/technology domains such as biotech, clean-tech, robotics, and ICT. Applicants can be individuals with innovative ideas (no incorporation required) or registered startups. There is a strong focus on founders from North Karnataka and the broader Karnataka tier-2/tier-3 region, but the programme explicitly welcomes applicants from Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra. Applicants must be willing to engage with CNEST/KLE Tech Belagavi during the incubation programme.

CNEST TBI 2.0 — KLE Tech Belagavi, Karnataka is open to startups at the idea and product stage working in agri food rural, health pharma biotech, ai saas enterprise and deeptech electronics robotics. The programme is targeted at startups registered in Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra. Applicants should be registered as private limited, llp and partnership.

The most recent application window for CNEST TBI 2.0 — KLE Tech Belagavi, Karnataka closed on 13 Jun 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.

Selected startups receive up to ₹10 lakh of equity-free seed support per startup. Additionally, they gain access to a dedicated 5,100 sq. ft. incubation facility at the Dr M S Sheshgiri Campus, structured mentorship, prototype and MVP development support, co-working space, lab and equipment infrastructure, investor readiness support, industry networking opportunities, and national-level exposure as part of Karnataka's TBI 2.0 ecosystem.

CNEST TBI 2.0 — KLE Tech Belagavi, Karnataka is offered by Centre for Next-Gen Entrepreneurship in Science & Technology Foundation (CNEST), KLE Tech, an academic institution. It is delivered directly by Centre for Next-Gen Entrepreneurship in Science & Technology Foundation (CNEST), KLE Tech as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

Applications are submitted via the official Google Form. The CNEST team screens applications for fit with programme focus areas and applicant stage. Shortlisted applicants are invited for a pitch or discovery conversation with the CNEST review committee, which includes internal team members and external mentors or domain experts. Final incubation decisions are made based on the venture's USP, market opportunity, and feasibility. The stages are: Application Submission, Screening, Pitch/Discovery Interview, Selection Decision, and Incubation Onboarding. Specific durations for each stage are not provided.

Before you apply to CNEST TBI 2.0 — KLE Tech Belagavi, Karnataka, keep these documents ready — note the program-specific requirements at the top:

• Certificate of incorporation showing your startup is registered as private limited and llp
• A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
• Company registration documents and PAN
• Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
• Recent financial statements or projections
• Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available

Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.

CNEST TBI 2.0 — KLE Tech Belagavi, Karnataka is best suited for idea and product-stage agri food rural, health pharma biotech and ai saas enterprise startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹10L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.