Karnataka's Department of Electronics, IT, and Biotechnology has received 983 applications for the first national cohort of ELEVATE NxT, its ₹150 crore grant-in-aid program for deep tech startups, with 213 applications—nearly 23%—coming from outside the state. A total of 661 startups have been shortlisted to begin pitching to the jury on May 6, 2026, as part of a three-week selection process for the final cohort.

ELEVATE NxT, launched under the Local Economy Accelerator Programme (LEAP), targets startups in advanced technology sectors including AI/ML, quantum technologies, cybersecurity, spacetech, aerospace and defence, nanotechnology, agritech, and robotics. While the original ELEVATE program supports Karnataka-based startups, ELEVATE NxT is open to deep tech ventures across India, reflecting the state's intent to position Bengaluru as a national hub for frontier technologies.

Selected startups will be eligible for grants of up to ₹1 crore, with no fixed cap on cohort size—selection will depend solely on the quality of applicants, officials said. The evaluation process, conducted with industry partners, has been strictly focused on deep tech viability, with non-qualifying applicants redirected to the regular ELEVATE program.

The initiative builds on 22 previous ELEVATE cohorts and aligns with Karnataka's 'Deep Tech Decade' strategy, announced by IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025, which includes a ₹600 crore investment pool. The pitching rounds will conclude in early June 2026, after which the final cohort will be announced.