Karnataka's IT/BT department has concluded its Elevate Nxt 2026 deeptech startup support program, selecting 256 firms from 983 national applicants. The initiative offers up to Rs 1 crore in grant-in-aid, mentorship, and ecosystem support to foster science-led innovation.
The initiative signifies Karnataka's commitment to fostering deeptech innovation and scaling breakthrough solutions, potentially boosting India's position in the global technology landscape.
Karnataka's IT/BT department has concluded its Elevate Nxt 2026 program, selecting 256 deeptech startups from a pool of 983 national applicants. This flagship initiative, which expanded its reach nationwide this year, aims to foster science-led innovation by providing selected firms with up to Rs 1 crore in grant-in-aid, alongside crucial mentorship and ecosystem support.
The program received applications from a diverse range of frontier technology domains, including artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), quantum technologies, spacetech, healthtech, cleantech, and mobility. Karnataka's IT/BT minister, Priyank Kharge, highlighted the program's decade-long history of empowering early-stage startups within the state and expressed enthusiasm for the innovative solutions tackling complex challenges.
According to the department, the entire selection process was completed in a record 60 days, underscoring the program's efficiency and transparency. N Manjula, secretary of the IT/BT department, stated that Elevate Nxt 2026 reinforces the state's commitment to deeptech innovation and reflects the growing strength of India's deeptech ecosystem, with Karnataka serving as a key anchor.
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