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

The selection process for ELEVATE Unnati 2026 involves a rigorous evaluation, with applications scored out of a total of 100 marks across five distinct parameters. These parameters include: 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).

Each parameter is independently assessed by a jury panel, whose composition is adjusted for each round to ensure relevant domain expertise. Unnati applicants receive a unique advantage by proceeding directly to the in-person Multi-City Pitching round, bypassing the initial desk-based pitch deck evaluation.

To advance to the Grand Finale, a startup must achieve a minimum score of 60 marks in the Multi-City Pitching round. The final ranking of startups and the allocation of tiered grant amounts are determined by their cumulative scores from these evaluation stages.