Karnataka govt turns to startups for sustainable water solutions, urban challenges

Bengaluru Innovation Report 2024, highlighting the city’s progress and future in global innovation, was also launched at the event.

Karnataka government is looking to partner with startups to address real-life problems, including inadequate potable water and mobility issues, said state Information Technology and Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge.

At the ELEVATE winners' felicitation ceremony, a flagship grant-in-aid programme for startups, held in Bengaluru on July 24, Kharge said: “We will come up with summits for innovations, urban solutions, water, and the circular economy. The idea of these summits is to solve real-life problems. We will also conduct small challenges to address issues affecting the government and our people, which startups could help solve."

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Kharge, who also holds the rural development and panchayat raj portfolio, said: “In rural areas, inadequate potable water is a serious concern for the government. Through the water summit, I want to address these issues with the help of technology. If a solution is selected, I will ensure that the government becomes the first customer and allows startups to conduct pilot projects.”

Meanwhile, state government has provided Rs 60 crore to 263 firms under ELEVATE programme in 2022 and 2023. This includes Rs 4.8 crore for 26 startups from Amrita (entrepreneurship and innovation by OBC entrepreneurs), Rs 4 crore for 19 startups from ELEVATE Kalyana Karnataka (supporting entrepreneurship in North Karnataka), Rs 5.5 crore for 17 startups from ELEVATE Unnati (identifying and nurturing startups led by SC & ST entrepreneurs), and Rs 45.7 crore for 201 startups from ELEVATE 2023 programme.

Among the 263 winners, 47 startups are led by women entrepreneurs and 119 startups hail from tier II and III cities in the state.

ELEVATE programme supports entrepreneurs across the state who need early-stage funding to develop prototypes, strategise market entry, and scale up. The initiative is backed by theIT-BT Department, Department of Social Welfare and Backward Class Welfare, and Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board. The startups selected under the ELEVATE programme are developing innovative technologies in sectors like clean-tech, smart cities, IT/ITES, healthcare, biotechnology, and agriculture.

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“So far, satate government has supported 983 startups with Rs 224 crore seed funding. The initiative has seen participation from women entrepreneurs, representing 25%, while 30% of entrepreneurs are from tier II and III cities in Karnataka,” said Kharge.

“The government is working to make Bengaluru one of the top 10 startup ecosystems in the world. There are also close to 1,500 startups in beyond Bengaluru clusters like Mysuru, Mangaluru, and Hubballi,” he added.

Karnataka IT secretary Ekroop Caur said, “Karnataka government has launched various initiatives to support startups, including grants and access to international markets through the Global Innovation Alliance-Market Access Programme (GIA). Bengaluru Innovation Report 2024 highlights the city’s progress and future in global innovation.”

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“ELEVATE scheme provides one-time grants of up to Rs 50 lakh to help startups develop prototypes, enter markets, and scale up. It aims to offer a comprehensive platform with mentorship, networking, funding, and incubation,” she added.

Sharath Bachegowda, MLA and chairman, KEONICS, Prashanth Prakash, chairman (Vision Group for startups) and founding partner of Accel Partners, Anantha Narayanan, CEO, Mensa Brands and Siddharth Pai, founding partner, CFO, and ESG officer, 3one4 Capital were present.