Karnataka Launches ELEVATE Minorities and NxT Schemes to Fund Tech Startups

The Karnataka government on Monday rolled out two specialized startup grant-in-aid initiatives, ELEVATE Minorities 2026 and ELEVATE NxT 2026–27, aimed at expanding early-stage capital access for technology ventures and fostering inclusive entrepreneurship.

Spearheaded by the Department of Electronics, IT and BT, the programmes target distinct segments of the state's innovation ecosystem by providing non-dilutive financial backing. While ELEVATE Minorities offers funding of up to ₹50 lakh for eligible businesses, the ELEVATE NxT track extends grants of up to ₹1 crore to advanced technology startups moving towards commercialisation.

Priyank Kharge, Minister for Home, Information Technology, Biotechnology and E-Governance, stated that the twin initiatives reflect the administration's policy objective to build an innovation-driven economy that broadens participation across diverse social segments.

Under the guidelines issued by the department, the ELEVATE Minorities scheme is open to enterprises where members of recognized minority communities hold at least 51 percent equity. These include entrepreneurs belonging to communities notified by the Karnataka State Minorities Commission and the Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation, such as Muslims, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs and Parsis. Selected founders will receive a one-time grant for prototype development, market expansion and scaling operations, alongside subsidized incubation support and mentorship through government-backed facilities.

The ELEVATE NxT framework is designed specifically for science- and engineering-led ventures operating in sectors rooted in advanced research. Priority domains under this track encompass artificial intelligence, machine learning, the internet of things, robotics, advanced manufacturing, clean technology and quantum systems. The funding aims to assist high-potential firms in overcoming capital constraints during the transition from laboratory research to commercial scale.

Applications for both programmes opened on October 13 and will remain active until November 13, 2026. Submissions are being processed through the official departmental web portal.

The evaluation mechanism involves a multi-stage screening process comprising online documentation reviews, eligibility checks, in-person pitching sessions before expert panels, and a final selection round. Aspirants under the minority entrepreneurship category must secure a qualifying score during the evaluation phases to advance to the final selection stage.

State officials indicated that successful applicants will be systematically integrated with partner networks and K-Tech innovation hubs across Karnataka to ensure sustained technical guidance and market linkage as their operations expand.