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While the Karnataka Startup Policy 2022 remains in effect, the state government acknowledges the rapidly evolving needs of startups and the shifting dynamics of the innovation ecosystem.
In response, Karnataka will be introducing a new Startup Policy to further strengthen its leadership as India’s innovation hub by supporting the creation of 25,000 new startups, including up to 10,000 emerging from clusters Beyond Bengaluru- namely Mangaluru, Mysuru, Hubballi, Kalburgi, with a focus on Deeptech, sustainability, and inclusive growth.
As part of this initiative the state government is hosting Future Makers Conclave at Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 to be held from November 18-20, 2025, where in 20,000 startup founders from across the globe will come together, to be a part of this gathering, all united by a shared purpose- shaping a conscious, connected future.
This high-impact, one-day conclave brings together an extraordinary community of trailblazers- from global changemakers and entrepreneurs to spiritual leaders, engineers, adventure sportspersons and athletes, to artists, and pioneers of the impossible.
The new Startup Policy adopts a lifecycle-based approach, offering tailored support from ideation to scale-up. The policy is anchored on seven strategic pillars: Funding and Grants to provide financial backing for early-stage startups, offering grants, funding, and subsidies to foster innovation, scalability, and long-term sustainability. Incubation and Infrastructure support in the form of state-of-the-art incubation centres, Centre of Excellence and R&D hubs to provide startups with essential resources and support.
The other pillars of the expected policy to be released soon include Mentoring and Skill Development for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Karnataka’s startup ecosystem. Funding for specialized training programme, subsidies for industry certification, grants for startup focused skilling initiatives, incubation-linked training grants and mentorship-driven financial support shall help nurture the next generation startup leaders. Market Access and Expansion for startups aiming to scale and enter new regions. The state shall facilitate global partnerships, government procurement incentives that support startups to reach wider audiences and strengthen their market presence.
The last three pillars of the policy include International Collaboration and access to promote global engagement by facilitating international partnerships, cross-border innovation, and access to overseas markets. Through targeted strategic initiatives, startups gain exposure to global ecosystems, mentorship, and go-to-market support. Inclusion and Sustainability to encourage startups and young entrepreneurs to leverage disruptive technologies and innovative business models to address pressing social impact challenges. Regulatory Facilitation aimed to streamline regulatory processes for startups by promoting simplified compliance, single-window clearances, and proactive engagement with relevant authorities.
Key enablers include a unified Startup Portal 2.0, legal and financial clinics, regulatory sandboxes, and simplified compliance. Currently undergoing stakeholder consultations and review, the policy aims to establish a future-ready framework to strengthen Karnataka’s startup ecosystem—especially Beyond Bengaluru—by fostering innovation, attracting investment, and creating high-value jobs.
