KAN Accelerator 2026 — KDEM Cohort 3 for Karnataka Startups — Frequently Asked Questions

No fixed cash figure is published for the cohort — the programme's funding value is listed simply as varying. What Cohort 3 does describe is a package of acceleration support: mentorship, market access, investor readiness, workspace access, IPR help and incubation services. No specific grant amount or prize money is stated as part of the benefits.

No equity stake is stated anywhere in the Cohort 3 programme details. The support described is acceleration services, mentorship, market access and investor connections, rather than an investment that would give KDEM or its accelerator partners a share of your startup.

Your startup needs to be registered in Karnataka and incorporated as any company type other than a One Person Company. It should be MVP-ready, somewhere between proof of concept and early revenue or traction, or already seed-funded. Founders also need to be willing to participate actively in assessment-driven workshops.

No. The eligibility criteria specifically exclude One Person Companies (OPCs). Every other company type mentioned in the criteria is allowed, provided the startup is registered in Karnataka and meets the stage requirements.

Yes. Seed-funded startups are explicitly named in the eligibility criteria, alongside companies that are MVP-ready or at the proof-of-concept to early revenue and traction stage.

The published criteria for KAN Cohort 3 do not mention DPIIT recognition or MSME registration. What matters is that the startup is registered in Karnataka, is not an OPC, is at the right stage, and has founders ready to engage with the programme.

Applications run on a rolling basis and are always open, so there is no single closing date to hit. Selections happen through the review process, and the acceleration journey for the selected cohort begins in November 2026.

Applications go through the official Google Form for the cohort. You will need accurate, current details about your company, team, product or service, market, business model and traction. Submissions are then used for the initial evaluation and shortlisting.

Your submission is reviewed by a selection committee drawn from KDEM and its accelerator partners. If you are shortlisted, you may be contacted for additional discussions, a virtual or in-person presentation, or due diligence. Selected startups are then notified and taken through onboarding.

The requirement is registration in Karnataka rather than a Bengaluru address. The programme places a particular emphasis on startups from the Beyond Bengaluru regions, and participating teams get access to premium workspaces at locations around the state.

KAN Accelerator 2026 — KDEM Cohort 3 for Karnataka Startups is offered by Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), a government body. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.