Kotak BizLabs Season 3 Accelerator — Up to ₹30L Equity-Free Grant

Kotak BizLabs Season 3 is an accelerator run by Kotak Mahindra Bank as part of the bank's corporate social responsibility work. It is aimed at founders whose companies have already crossed the idea stage — ventures with a product live in the market and customers paying for it — and who now need capital, guidance and reach to scale.

Support is delivered together with five leading Indian incubators, so a selected startup plugs into a wide network of domain expertise and resources rather than the support of a single institution. The sectors in scope span Agritech, Climate Tech, Electric Mobility, Fintech, Health Tech, EdTech, Sustainability, Deep Tech and the Circular Economy.

Taking part costs nothing. There is no application charge, no programme fee, and no equity taken in exchange for the money. Chosen startups join a cohort that runs for six to eight months, working through a tailored curriculum, bootcamps and workshops while building toward a Demo Day.

Applications close on 6 October 2026.

• Up to ₹30 lakh in equity-free grant funding — no equity dilution
• 6–8 month accelerator run by Kotak Mahindra Bank as a CSR initiative
• Mentorship from industry experts and successful entrepreneurs
• Investor connections, market access and a dedicated Demo Day
• Focus sectors: Agritech, Climate Tech, EV, Fintech, Health Tech, EdTech, Sustainability, Deep Tech and Circular Economy
• Applications close 6 October 2026; no application or participation fee

Kotak BizLabs Season 3 is designed for startups that are already selling, not for pre-product ideas.

• DPIIT-recognised registered entities — the venture must be a registered business recognised by DPIIT.
• Revenue-generating — the startup should already be earning revenue, with a market-ready product and an existing customer base.
• Sector fit — the solution must fall within the programme's focus areas: Agritech, Climate Tech, Electric Mobility, Fintech, Health Tech, EdTech, Sustainability, Deep Tech and the Circular Economy.
• Growth-stage readiness — applicants should be prepared to fold ecosystem resources, networks and industry insights into their growth strategy, and to pursue strategic partnerships.

Applying and participating are both free of cost, since the initiative is funded as a CSR programme.

Kotak BizLabs Season 3 Accelerator — Up to ₹30L Equity-Free Grant is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

Applications for Kotak BizLabs Season 3 Accelerator — Up to ₹30L Equity-Free Grant are open and the current deadline is 6 Oct 2026. Applications are closing soon, so prepare your documents early. Deadlines can change — always reconfirm on the official source before submitting.

Selected startups can receive up to ₹30 lakh in grant funding, and the grant is equity-free — no shares change hands and founders retain full ownership of their companies. The exact amount is settled through the programme's evaluation criteria and the assessed potential of each venture.

Beyond the money, the cohort receives a full support stack:

• Mentorship from seasoned industry experts and successful entrepreneurs, covering strategy and day-to-day operations.
• Investor connections through curated networking with potential backers and partners.
• Market access, including showcases at exclusive events and a dedicated Demo Day that opens doors to commercial partnerships and customers.
• A tailored curriculum, with bootcamps and expert-led workshops that sharpen founder capability.
• Incubation support and entry into a trusted innovation ecosystem, plus networking with peers, partners and industry players.

Everything is delivered over a six-to-eight-month acceleration cycle.

Kotak BizLabs Season 3 Accelerator — Up to ₹30L Equity-Free Grant is offered by Kotak Mahindra Bank, a corporate programme. It is delivered directly by Kotak Mahindra Bank as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

Getting in is competitive and happens in stages.

• Application screening — a panel of experts from Kotak Mahindra Bank and the partner incubators reviews every submission, weighing alignment with the focus areas, market readiness and revenue generation.
• In-depth evaluation — startups that clear the screening are invited for interviews that dig into team dynamics, business challenges and growth strategy.
• Final pitch — a shortlist of promising ventures presents to a distinguished jury panel, which judges innovation, business viability and the potential for lasting impact.
• Selection and induction — the final cohort is chosen on the combined strength of the application, the pitch and fit with the programme's objectives, after which the startups are inducted into the accelerator.

Before you apply to Kotak BizLabs Season 3 Accelerator — Up to ₹30L Equity-Free Grant, keep the following documents ready:

• 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.

Kotak BizLabs Season 3 Accelerator — Up to ₹30L Equity-Free Grant is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹30L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.