ELEVATE Unnati 2026 — Startup Karnataka Grant for SC/ST Founders

ELEVATE Unnati 2026 is a special grant programme run by the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS) under the Department of Electronics, IT, BT & S&T. It is part of the state government's flagship ELEVATE grant-in-aid scheme, with a dedicated focus on startups founded by individuals from Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities. The programme offers an equity-free grant of up to ₹50 lakh to help these startups develop proofs-of-concept and scale their innovations.

To qualify, SC/ST directors or partners must collectively hold at least 70% equity in the company, and this shareholding must be maintained throughout the project. The grant is disbursed in two equal tranches linked to milestone completion, governed by a tripartite agreement among KITS, the selected K-Tech innovation partner, and the startup. Selected startups also receive subsidised incubation and mentoring support at K-Tech innovation hubs, accelerators, and centres of excellence.

ELEVATE Unnati runs alongside the general ELEVATE call and two other specialised calls — ELEVATE Aspire (for startups outside Bengaluru Urban) and ELEVATE Shakti (for women-led startups). Startups may apply to multiple calls, but a single pitch is evaluated across all selected calls, and the total grant is capped at ₹50 lakh. A unique benefit for Unnati applicants is that they skip the desk-based pitch deck evaluation and advance directly to the Multi-City Pitching round.

• Equity-free grant up to ₹50 lakh for SC/ST-owned startups
• Reserved for startups with at least 70% SC/ST equity
• Milestone-based disbursement in two equal tranches
• Prefixed to Multi-City Pitching round; no desk review stage
• Subsidised incubation and mentoring through K-Tech innovation partners
• Apply by 25 June 2026, 5:00 PM IST

Your startup must be registered and operating in Karnataka. At least 70% equity must be held by SC/ST director(s) or partner(s), individually or collectively, and this shareholding must be maintained throughout the project. Valid digital caste certificates issued by the Karnataka Revenue Department (with an RD number) are mandatory for the qualifying directors/partners.

Eligible legal structures include Private Limited Company, One Person Company, Registered Partnership Firm, Limited Liability Partnership, or State/Multi-State Co-operative Society.

The startup must be within 10 years of incorporation, with annual turnover not exceeding ₹200 crore in any financial year since incorporation. It must be an independent entity (not a subsidiary, spin-off, or internal division). A minimum team size of two is required, and the startup cannot have been a beneficiary of any ELEVATE Grant-in-Aid in the last three years. The business must focus on innovation or improvement of products, services, or processes with potential for job creation, wealth generation, or market expansion.

DPIIT registration is not mandatory, and none is required for eligibility.

ELEVATE Unnati 2026 — Startup Karnataka Grant for SC/ST Founders is open to startups at the idea, product and revenue stage. The programme is targeted at startups registered in Karnataka. Applicants should be registered as private limited, llp and partnership.

The most recent application window for ELEVATE Unnati 2026 — Startup Karnataka Grant for SC/ST Founders closed on 15 Jul 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.

Selected startups receive a one-time, equity-free grant of up to ₹50 lakh, disbursed in two equal tranches against milestone achievements. Additionally, startups are assigned to a K-Tech innovation partner — a government-backed incubator, accelerator, Centre of Excellence, or innovation hub — which provides mentoring and incubation support at subsidised rates. These partners track progress, validate milestones, and recommend tranche releases, all coordinated by KITS. This structured support aims to help startups achieve proof-of-concept and scale.

ELEVATE Unnati 2026 — Startup Karnataka Grant for SC/ST Founders is offered by Startup Karnataka, a government body. As a government-backed grant, it is publicly funded and open to eligible startups across India. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

Applications are scored out of 100 across five parameters: Novelty/Innovation (30 marks), Strength of Business Model (30 marks), Potential Socio-economic Impact (20 marks), Team Strength (10 marks), and Budgetary Allocation (10 marks). The jury panel changes composition based on round domain expertise. A minimum score of 60 in the Multi-City Pitching round is needed to advance to the Grand Finale. Cumulative scores from the Grand Finale determine the final merit list and tiered grant allocation.

The process has five stages:

• Online Application Submission: Submit via the ELEVATE portal with required documents and details.
• Data Sufficiency & Eligibility Screening: The Program Management Unit verifies eligibility criteria, including SC/ST equity share, legal structure, startup age, turnover cap, and ownership norms.
• Multi-City Pitching: In-person pitch sessions across Karnataka; Unnati applicants skip desk-based evaluation and go directly here. A minimum 60/100 score is required.
• Grand Finale Pitching: Final pitching event leading to a consolidated merit list for Unnati.
• Final Selection, Grant Sanction & Onboarding: The merit list is ratified by the ELEVATE Evaluation Committee (chaired by Secretary, Department of Electronics, IT, BT & S&T), followed by grant sanction and signing of a tripartite agreement.

Before you apply to ELEVATE Unnati 2026 — Startup Karnataka Grant for SC/ST Founders, 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.

ELEVATE Unnati 2026 — Startup Karnataka Grant for SC/ST Founders is best suited for idea, product and revenue-stage startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹50L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.