Elevate 100 Program (2025): Up to ₹50 Lakh Grant for Tech & Innovation Startups | Full Guide for Women & SC/ST Entrepreneurs
India’s startup ecosystem has seen explosive growth in the past decade, but access to capital remains a bottleneck, especially for early-stage startups led by women, SC/ST founders, and those from non-metro regions. To bridge this gap, the Elevate 100 Program has emerged as a flagship initiative aimed at supporting innovative tech-driven startups with grants up to ₹50 lakh and incubation support.
In this blog, we’ll provide an in-depth guide to the Elevate 100 Program 2025, including:
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What is Elevate 100?
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Who is eligible?
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How much funding can you get?
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Special benefits for Women & SC/ST-led startups
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Registration and application process (step-by-step)
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Required documents
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How to write a project proposal
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Selection stages
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FAQs and more
🚀 What is Elevate 100 Program?
The Elevate 100 Program is a government-led funding and incubation scheme designed to identify, nurture, and support the top 100 most innovative startups in the region (especially in Karnataka and expanding to other states in 2025).
Launched by the Department of Electronics, IT, Bt and S&T, Government of Karnataka (and other partner states), the program is aimed at helping technology-based early-stage startups with product innovation and commercialization through:
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Grants up to ₹50 lakh
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Mentoring & incubation
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Market access and networking
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IP and legal support
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Special benefits for Women, SC/ST entrepreneurs, and rural innovators
🎯 Objectives of Elevate 100
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Boost innovation & entrepreneurship in high-potential tech sectors.
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Provide non-equity, non-repayable grants to de-risk startups at early stages.
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Promote inclusive entrepreneurship by supporting startups led by women, SC/ST, and Tier 2/3 cities.
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Encourage product development, commercialization, and global competitiveness.
💡 Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)
To qualify for the Elevate 100 Program 2025, the applicant must meet the following eligibility conditions:
✅ General Eligibility
| Criteria |
Requirement |
| Type of entity |
Startups registered as Pvt Ltd, LLP, OPC, or registered Partnership |
| Age of startup |
Less than 10 years old |
| Annual turnover |
Less than ₹100 crore |
| Innovation |
Startup must be working on a technology-based or innovation-led product/service |
| Location |
Startup should be operational in India (preference to Karnataka-registered startups; expanding pan-India in 2025) |
| IPR / Prototype |
Must have a working prototype, proof of concept, or early traction |
✅ Special Eligibility Categories
Startups led or co-founded by the following get extra preference and support:
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Women entrepreneurs
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SC/ST founders
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Rural-based startups (Tier 2 & 3 towns)
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Differently-abled founders
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Startups from academic or R&D institutions
💰 Grant Amount & Funding Structure
Startups selected under Elevate 100 can receive a non-equity grant of up to ₹50 lakh based on their business stage and requirement.
| Stage |
Grant Amount |
Purpose |
| Prototype / MVP |
₹10 – ₹25 lakh |
For product development, PoC, testing |
| Market Entry |
₹25 – ₹35 lakh |
For pilot runs, early customer acquisition |
| Commercialization |
₹35 – ₹50 lakh |
Scaling operations, certifications, hiring, market expansion |
📌 Key Notes:
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Grant is non-repayable (not a loan or equity)
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Disbursed in tranches based on milestone achievements
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Must submit utilization certificates for each tranche
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Women/SC/ST-led startups may get higher funding percentage and relaxed matching contribution requirements
🧾 Documents Required
Be ready with the following documents (in PDF/JPEG format) before applying:
Founders & Entity
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Startup Registration Certificate (MCA/Partnership deed)
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GST Registration (if applicable)
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Founders’ Aadhaar and PAN card
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SC/ST certificate or Women entrepreneur declaration (if applicable)
Project/Startup Details
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Pitch Deck / Business Presentation
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Detailed Project Proposal (DPR)
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Proof of Concept (prototype screenshots, videos, etc.)
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Past funding/grants received, if any
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Utilization plan for proposed funds
Financial
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Bank account details of the startup
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Audited financial statements (if available)
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Self-declaration of previous grant utilization (if applicable)
📋 How to Apply – Step-by-Step Registration Guide
Here’s a breakdown of how to register and apply for the Elevate 100 Program:
🔗 Step 1: Visit Official Portal
Go to the official Elevate program website:
👉 https://www.missionstartupkarnataka.org/sign-up
(For 2025 edition, state-wise portals will be updated accordingly)
🧑💻 Step 2: Register Your Startup
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Click on “Apply Now”
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Fill in startup name, founder details, email, mobile, and choose your category (Women/SC/ST etc.)
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Set password and register
📤 Step 3: Login & Fill Application Form
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Log in with your credentials
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Complete your profile: startup summary, innovation details, market opportunity
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Upload your pitch deck, project proposal, and relevant documents
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Declare funding requirement and plan
📅 Step 4: Submit Application
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Review all fields and uploaded documents
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Accept terms and conditions
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Submit application before the deadline
⏳ Step 5: Wait for Shortlisting
Once submitted, your application goes through a multi-stage selection process.
📝 How to Write a Strong Project Proposal (DPR)
Your Detailed Project Report (DPR) is the key to getting shortlisted. Here’s what it should include:
📄 Sample Structure of DPR:
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Executive Summary
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Problem Statement & Solution
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Innovation / IP / Technology
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Market Opportunity
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Customer Segments & Use Case
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Revenue Model
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Team Background
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Traction (sales, pilots, users, etc.)
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Funding Requirement (with breakup)
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Project Timeline
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Impact (social/market/tech)
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Risk Factors & Mitigation
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Financial Projections (2-3 years)
📌 Tips:
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Be crisp and visual — use charts/tables
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Quantify your impact
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Clearly mention how the grant will be used
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Highlight inclusion (e.g., women, SC/ST leadership)
📊 Selection Process: Stages Explained
The selection process is transparent, competitive, and merit-based.
🔍 Stage 1: Application Screening
📽 Stage 2: Jury Evaluation
💬 Stage 3: Online Pitch / Demo Day
📝 Stage 4: Final Selection & MoU
💼 Stage 5: Monitoring & Reporting
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Fund released in tranches
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Progress reports, milestones, and audit required
💼 Other Benefits Beyond Funding
Besides funding, Elevate 100 provides:
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Mentorship from industry experts
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Free incubation in government-supported incubators
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Networking opportunities with VCs, angel investors
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Legal and IP support
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Investor demo days and exposure events
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Access to national/international exhibitions
👩💼 Special Incentives for Women & SC/ST Entrepreneurs
Elevate 100 is designed to be inclusive. Special support includes:
| Category |
Special Benefits |
| Women Founders |
Higher scoring in evaluation; dedicated pitch tracks; capacity building |
| SC/ST Entrepreneurs |
Relaxation in eligibility; dedicated mentorship and access to reserved funding slots |
| Rural/Tier 2-3 |
Additional incubation support; co-working grants; product-market fit assistance |
📅 Key Dates (Tentative for 2025)
| Event |
Date |
| Program Launch |
August 2025 |
| Application Opens |
10 August 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply |
20 September 2025 |
| Jury Evaluation |
Oct 2025 |
| Final Pitch Rounds |
Nov 2025 |
| Results Declaration |
Dec 2025 |
| Grant Disbursement |
Jan 2026 onward |
(Dates may vary based on state edition. Check official portal for confirmation.)
📞 Support & Contact
For application-related queries:
❓ FAQs
Q1: Is this program only for Karnataka startups?
A: While it started in Karnataka, the 2025 version is being expanded in collaboration with central and other state governments.
Q2: Is the grant repayable?
A: No, this is a non-repayable grant, not a loan or equity investment.
Q3: Can I apply if I’ve already received another grant?
A: Yes, but you must disclose it and show non-duplication of expenses.
Q4: Can I apply without a prototype?
A: Preference is given to those with working prototypes or at least Proof of Concept.
Q5: Can student startups apply?
A: Yes, if registered and fulfilling other criteria.
✨ Conclusion
The Elevate 100 Program 2025 is more than just funding—it's a launchpad for startups with disruptive ideas. Whether you’re building in AI, biotech, agritech, cleantech, mobility, healthtech, or edtech, this is your chance to scale with government support.
Especially if you’re a woman, SC/ST entrepreneur, or working from a rural area, the Elevate 100 initiative opens the door to not just financial backing, but holistic startup development.
📝 Don't miss the opportunity — register today and take the first step toward transforming your idea into impact.
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