Karnataka ELEVATE Minorities Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Starting a business takes more than a good idea. Entrepreneurs also need money to develop their products, test them and reach potential customers. To support minority entrepreneurs, the Government of Karnataka runs the Karnataka ELEVATE Minorities Scheme under its ELEVATE (Idea2PoC) programme. Eligible startups can receive a one-time grant of up to ₹50 lakh to help develop prototypes, explore market opportunities and grow their businesses. Selected startups may also receive mentoring and subsidised incubation support.

The scheme is implemented by the Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka, through the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS). It aims to give minority entrepreneurs more opportunities to develop innovative business ideas, build products and grow their startups. The scheme also seeks to encourage women-led businesses and support entrepreneurship beyond Bengaluru.

To apply, a startup must meet the scheme's registration, business-age, turnover and ownership requirements. These include registration in Karnataka, being no more than 10 years old and having at least 51% equity owned by eligible minority-community director(s) or partner(s). Applicants must also have a valid digital Minority Certificate issued by the Karnataka Revenue Department, with a valid RD Number. The accepted business types and other eligibility conditions may vary by application cycle, so applicants should check the latest scheme guidelines before applying.

The selection process includes application screening, document verification and an assessment of the startup's innovation, business model, social impact, team and proposed budget. Applicants must submit the required business documents, financial details and pitch deck through the official ELEVATE application portal. Funding is provided only to selected startups and is subject to the applicable grant conditions and project milestones.

For application-related queries, entrepreneurs can contact the Karnataka Startup Cell at 080-22231007 or email [email protected].

Entrepreneurs looking for other startup funding opportunities can also explore the Karnataka ELEVATE NxT Scheme, which offers grants of up to ₹1 crore to eligible deep-tech startups.

Scheme Benefits

Starting and growing a business can be challenging when funds, guidance and business resources are limited. The Karnataka ELEVATE Minorities Scheme helps eligible minority entrepreneurs overcome some of these challenges by offering financial assistance and business support. Its main benefits include:

• Eligible startups can receive a one-time grant of up to ₹50 lakh to help develop and grow their businesses.
• Startups can use the approved funding to develop prototypes and improve their products, services or technologies.
• The grant can support approved market development activities that help startups prepare to introduce their products or services to customers.
• Selected entrepreneurs may receive mentoring to strengthen their business plans, improve their strategies and make informed business decisions.
• Selected startups may receive subsidised incubation support to access resources and facilities that help them develop their ideas.
• The scheme gives eligible minority entrepreneurs an opportunity to access government funding for their innovative business ideas.
• It encourages the development of new products, services and business solutions that can address market needs.
• The scheme aims to create more opportunities for women-led startups and encourage business growth beyond Bengaluru.
• By supporting product development and market readiness, the scheme can help selected startups take the next step towards building sustainable businesses.

The grant is available only to startups selected under the scheme. The amount approved, permitted use of funds and release of payments depend on the applicable guidelines, approved project plan and grant conditions.

Eligibility Requirements

Before applying for the Karnataka ELEVATE Minorities Scheme, make sure your startup meets the eligibility conditions for the 2026 application cycle. The main requirements are explained below so you can check whether your business qualifies before preparing the application.

• The startup must be registered or incorporated in Karnataka.
• The business must be no more than 10 years old from its date of incorporation.
• The startup's annual turnover must be below ₹200 crore, as stated on the scheme-specific page of the official portal.
• The business must be registered as an eligible entity, such as a Private Limited Company, One Person Company (OPC), Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), registered Partnership Firm, or eligible State or Multi-State Cooperative Society.
• At least 51% of the business's equity must be owned by one or more eligible minority-community directors or partners.
• The qualifying minority director or partner must have a valid digital Minority Certificate issued by the Revenue Department, Government of Karnataka, with a valid RD Number.
• For the 2026 application cycle, the scheme-specific portal lists Muslims, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs and Parsis as eligible minority communities.
• The startup must maintain the required 51% minority ownership throughout the project period. Failure to meet this condition may affect its eligibility or grant assistance.
• The applicant must submit the required documents, including business registration papers, shareholding proof, a CA-certified revenue certificate, the prescribed pitch deck and a notarised startup affidavit.
• The startup must meet the scheme's application requirements and pass the prescribed screening and selection process.
• If selected for the in-person pitching stage, the qualifying minority director or partner must attend personally, as required by the scheme guidelines. Applicants must also meet the minimum qualifying score to progress to the Grand Finale.

Check the latest eligibility rules and document formats on the official ELEVATE portal before applying. Meeting the basic conditions does not guarantee selection, as applications are assessed through the scheme's selection process.

Required Documents

Before applying for the Karnataka ELEVATE Minorities Scheme, keep all the necessary documents ready. These documents help verify your startup's registration, financial details and minority ownership. Applicants may need to submit the following documents with their online application.

• Certificate of Incorporation or Registration: Proof that your company or business is legally registered.
• MOA, LLP Agreement or Partnership Deed: The relevant document for your business structure, showing details about the company or its partners.
• CA-Certified Revenue Certificate: A certificate from a Chartered Accountant confirming the startup's revenue for the financial year 2025–26 and its compliance with the applicable turnover limit.
• Shareholding Proof: Documents showing that eligible minority-community director(s) or partner(s) collectively own at least 51% of the business.
• Digital Minority Certificate: A valid certificate issued by the Revenue Department, Government of Karnataka, with a valid RD Number for the qualifying director or partner.
• Pitch Deck: The pitch deck prepared using the prescribed template. It should explain your business idea, product or service, business model, market potential, team and proposed budget.
• Startup Affidavit: A notarised affidavit prepared on ₹100 e-stamp paper, naming the startup as the first party and Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS) as the second party. The portal's instructions require the affidavit to be uploaded as a PDF file of less than 10 MB.
• Patent Filing or Grant Certificate: If your startup has filed for or received a patent, provide the relevant certificate, where applicable.

You can find the prescribed document formats and application instructions on the official ELEVATE portal. Check the latest requirements before uploading your files, as missing documents or incorrect information may affect your application.

Selection Process

The selection of startups under the Karnataka ELEVATE Minorities Scheme is based on their innovation, business potential, team strength and expected impact. Applicants must submit their applications online with the required documents. Eligible applications are then evaluated through different stages before the final selection of startups for grant assistance.

Evaluation Criteria

Startup applications are assessed on the following five parameters, carrying a total of 100 marks:

Stages of Selection

1. Application and Eligibility Check: The submitted application is checked to confirm that the startup meets the eligibility requirements and has provided the necessary documents.
2. Pitch Evaluation: Eligible startups are evaluated on their business idea, innovation, business model, team and potential impact.
3. In-person Pitching: Shortlisted startups present their business ideas to the evaluation panel. Under the published 2026 selection process, a minimum score of 60 marks is required to qualify for the Grand Finale.
4. Grand Finale and Final Selection: Finalists undergo the final evaluation, and the selected winners are ratified by the ELEVATE Evaluation Committee. Grant assistance is subject to the applicable scheme conditions.

Applicants should carefully read the latest guidelines on the Department of Electronics, IT, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka website before applying, as the selection process and requirements may change between application cycles.

Steps to Apply

Eligible startups can apply for the Karnataka ELEVATE Minorities Scheme online through the Karnataka Startup portal. Applicants should complete the registration, prepare the required documents and submit their application before the deadline. Follow these steps to apply for the 2026 application cycle.

• Open the official ELEVATE portal. On the homepage, find the ELEVATE Minorities 2026 section and read the eligibility requirements, application instructions and document checklist carefully.
• Click the registration option to create an account using your company and personal details. If you already have an account, sign in with your existing login credentials.
• After logging in, select the ELEVATE Minorities 2026 application. Make sure you choose this category rather than ELEVATE NxT, which is intended for eligible DeepTech startups.
• Fill in the online application form with the required details about your startup, founders or partners, business activities, innovation and proposed project. Check that the information matches your official registration and financial documents.
• Upload the required documents in the prescribed formats. These include the incorporation certificate, applicable company or partnership documents, CA-certified revenue certificate, shareholding proof, digital Minority Certificate, prescribed pitch deck and notarised startup affidavit. Include a patent filing or grant certificate if applicable.
• Review every section before submitting the form. Check the ownership details, financial figures, uploaded files and declarations carefully, as incomplete or incorrect applications may be rejected.
• Submit the application online and save the ELEVATE reference ID generated after submission. Keep this number for future reference and application tracking.
• If your application qualifies for the next stage, prepare to present your startup in person. The qualifying minority director or partner who meets the prescribed ownership requirement must attend the pitch. Applicants must score at least 60 marks to qualify for the Grand Finale.

For the 2026 call, applications are scheduled to close on 13 November 2026 at 5:00 PM IST. Submit your application well before the deadline to allow time to resolve any portal or document-related issues. For help, contact the Karnataka Startup Cell at 080-22231007 or email [email protected].

How Can the Grant Be Used?

The Karnataka ELEVATE Minorities Scheme provides financial support to eligible startups that need funding to develop and grow their business ideas. Selected startups can receive a one-time grant of up to ₹50 lakh. The grant can support approved activities related to product development, market development and business expansion.

• Prototype development
• Product development and validation
• Market development
• Business growth
• Project-related expenses

The grant is not an unrestricted payment for personal or unrelated business expenses. Applicants should clearly explain their proposed use of funds in the application and budget. The final amount sanctioned and the permitted expenses will depend on the approved project and applicable scheme guidelines.

General Terms and Conditions

• Valid Registration Documents: Applicants must submit a valid Certificate of Incorporation or registered partnership documents, as applicable. An acknowledgement receipt is not accepted as proof of registration. GST, Udyog Aadhaar and MSME registration certificates cannot be used in place of the required registration documents.
• Eligible Business Structure: The startup must meet the scheme's rules regarding its business type and independence. Applicants should check the official guidelines to confirm whether their business is eligible.
• Previous Grant Assistance: Startups or promoters who have previously received certain government grants may not be eligible to apply again within the specified period. Applicants should check the current scheme guidelines for details.
• One Application per Entity: Each business entity should submit only one application. Submitting multiple applications may lead to rejection under the scheme rules.
• Complete Application: Applicants must provide correct information and all required documents. Applications that do not meet the eligibility conditions or have missing documents may be rejected.
• Minority Ownership: The startup must meet the required minority ownership conditions. The eligible minority director(s) or partner(s) must maintain the required ownership throughout the project period.
• Check Before Submitting: Applicants should carefully review the application form and documents before submitting them, as changes may not be allowed after submission.

Meeting the eligibility conditions does not automatically guarantee grant assistance. Startups must also complete the selection process and comply with the applicable terms and conditions.

For the latest requirements, applicants should refer to the official ELEVATE application portal before submitting their applications.

Relevant Links

• Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka
• Karnataka ELEVATE Portal
• Official ELEVATE Scheme Page
• Policy and Guidelines
• Startup Karnataka Resources

Contact Information

For questions about the Karnataka ELEVATE Minorities Scheme and application process, applicants can contact the Karnataka Startup Cell under the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS).

Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS), Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka

• Phone: 080-22231007
• Email: [email protected]
• Address: Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS), BKG Sapphire, No. 59, Railway Parallel Road, 4th Block, Kumara Park West, Sheshadripuram, Bengaluru – 560020, Karnataka, India.
• Office Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM