Government First initiative launched in Karnataka for startups

The Government First initiative has officially launched in Karnataka to support 100 innovative startups over three years. On September 30, the state government issued a sanction order allocating Rs 25 crore to this strategic project. Furthermore, this initiative operates directly under the Karnataka Startup Policy 2025-30 to drive digital public service delivery. Specifically, the state framework allows startups to test, validate, and deploy their cutting-edge solutions across government departments.

Structured funding framework supports pilot deployments

Consequently, the Government First initiative establishes a clear test-validate-procure model for public sector deployment. Eligible startups can receive up to Rs 25 lakh to fund their pilot operations and technical validation.

Additionally, Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS) will manage the implementation under the IT Department. Meanwhile, startups can proactively submit deployment-ready products without waiting for specific department problem statements.

Strict eligibility guidelines and evaluation mechanism

Specifically, IT Minister Priyank Kharge highlighted that the initiative creates a direct pathway from labs to public applications. Therefore, candidate startups must hold valid Karnataka registration and maintain operational history under ten years.

Furthermore, solutions must achieve Technology Readiness Level 7 with proven operational testing across sectors like artificial intelligence. A three-tier committee system will evaluate applications quarterly while ensuring startups retain full intellectual property rights. Thus, Karnataka strengthens market access for emerging tech ventures while modernizing governance.