Government First Programme – First Call for Karnataka-Based Startups

About

Government First is a Karnataka government initiative inviting Karnataka-based startups with deployment-ready solutions (TRL ≥ 7) to apply for funded pilot work orders of up to ₹25 lakh to address departmental problem statements from Praja Seva and BWSSB, with applications open until 23 October 2026.

Benefits

• 💰Pilot Work Order
  Selected startups can receive a direct work order of up to ₹25 lakh, subject to technical evaluation, for pilot deployment and evaluation
• 🧪Real-World Validation
  Opportunity to pilot, test, and validate solutions in a real-world government environment
• 🏛️ Government as Early Customer
  Initiative aims to provide startups registered in Karnataka with early market access and a potential pathway to Government adoption
• 📈Procurement Pathway
  Solutions demonstrating measurable impact, operational effectiveness, and value for public service delivery may be considered for procurement in Government Departments, Boards and Corporations (conditional; not guaranteed)

Eligibility Criteria

• Karnataka Registration
• Mandatory requirement of being a Karnataka-based or registered startup, registered with KITS
• Entity Type
• Mandatory requirement of being incorporated as a Private Limited Company, OPC, Registered Partnership Firm, LLP, Multi-State Cooperative Society or Cooperative Society
• Turnover Limit
• Mandatory requirement that turnover does not exceed INR 200 crore for non-Deeptech startups or INR 300 crore for Deeptech startups in any financial year since incorporation
• Company Age
• Mandatory requirement of being within 10 years for non-Deeptech or 20 years for Deeptech from incorporation at the time of application
• Independent Entity
• Mandatory requirement of being an independent entity and not a subsidiary, spin-off, franchise, reseller, group company, Section 8 company, trust, society, association, non-profit, merger/demerger, or part of a Government initiative/PPP/aided partner
• Technology Readiness
• Mandatory requirement of a TRL of 7 or higher
• Real-World Problem
• Mandatory requirement of addressing a real-world problem
• One Application
• Only one application per entity is allowed
• Required Documents
• Mandatory documents include the incorporation/registration certificate, MoA/partnership deed/LLP deed, a notarized startup affidavit on INR 100 e-stamp paper, and the solution docket
• Preferred Criteria
• No preferred criteria are explicitly stated

Participation Commitments

Selected startups are expected to deploy their solution for the funded pilot; the progress of the pilot will be evaluated in a time-bound manner.

Target Sector

Energy & Utilities, Government & Public Sector

Target Location

Karnataka, India — applicants must be Karnataka-based startups; the official page states startups registered in Karnataka and General Terms require startups to be registered with KITS.