The Karnataka government has successfully wrapped up ELEVATE NxT 2026, its premier DeepTech startup initiative, after receiving applications from 983 startups nationwide and selecting 256 finalists within an impressive 60-day timeframe. This development is significant as it underscores Karnataka’s commitment to bolstering India’s burgeoning DeepTech ecosystem by extending its reach beyond state borders and nurturing innovation across diverse technological domains.
## ELEVATE NxT 2026: Expanding Horizons
The ELEVATE NxT 2026 program, orchestrated by Karnataka’s Department of Electronics, Information Technology, and Biotechnology (ITBT) under the Local Economy Accelerator Program (LEAP), marks a pivotal evolution of the state’s long-standing ELEVATE initiative. Unlike previous iterations focused solely on Karnataka, this edition broadened its scope to include DeepTech startups from across India. This strategic expansion attracted applications from fields such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, quantum technologies, spacetech, healthtech, cleantech, and mobility.
The program’s structure offers substantial benefits to the selected startups. Each finalist stands to receive a grant-in-aid of up to ₹1 crore, alongside milestone-based financing, tailored mentorship, and comprehensive ecosystem support. This blend of financial and strategic aid aims to propel early-stage research into globally competitive products, thereby strengthening India’s footprint in the DeepTech sector.
## Positioning Karnataka as an Innovation Hub
Karnataka’s decision to open ELEVATE NxT to a national audience reflects its ambition to solidify its status as India’s foremost innovation hub. Priyank Kharge, Minister for IT, BT, and Rural Development, emphasized that the initiative builds on nearly a decade of nurturing early-stage startups with grants and ecosystem support. With a dedicated focus on DeepTech, the program seeks to address complex challenges across various technological domains, showcasing the state’s robust innovation ecosystem.
Dr. N. Manjula, Secretary to the Government in the Department of ITBT and Science and Technology, highlighted the program as a milestone in Karnataka’s DeepTech journey. The diverse and high-quality participation signals a maturing national DeepTech ecosystem, with Karnataka positioned as a central anchor. The program’s swift execution, from 983 applications to 256 finalists in just 60 days, underscores the state’s efficiency and commitment to fostering innovation.
## Implications for India’s Startup Ecosystem
This national expansion of ELEVATE NxT 2026 is a crucial development for India’s startup ecosystem, particularly for DeepTech entrepreneurs. By providing significant grant funding and structured mentorship, Karnataka is making one of the most notable public-sector investments in frontier technology. This initiative not only supports individual startups but also contributes to the broader goal of positioning India as a leader in DeepTech innovation on the global stage.
As the program concludes, the focus shifts to the impact these startups will have in their respective fields. Observers and stakeholders will be keen to see how these 256 finalists leverage the resources and support provided to scale their innovations. For founders, engineers, and investors, the next step will be to monitor which startups successfully transition from promising ideas to market-ready solutions, setting benchmarks for future cohorts and influencing the trajectory of India’s DeepTech industry.
