Women-Led Accelerators and Incubators (WEscalate)

Funds dedicated women-led incubators/accelerators (a dual incubation-then-acceleration model) to build investment-ready, women-led startups across sectors like Biotech, AgriTech, MedTech/Healthtech and Cleantech.

Registered entities with minimum 2 years' experience running entrepreneurship programs; women must hold at least 51% founder/co-founder stake; must demonstrate ability to onboard at least 50% women-led startups per cohort.

Grant-in-aid up to INR 5 crore over a maximum of 5 years. Under the linked WEscalate program, incubation grant of up to INR 20 lakh per cohort and acceleration grant of up to INR 30 lakh per cohort (including an INR 8.7 lakh deployment grant for the top 3 startups); 30 women-led startups supported per year across 2 cohorts.

Apply via a Call for Application through the Karnataka Startup Portal; evaluated by a jury on infrastructure readiness, track record, mentor/investor network and sustainability plan.

Established organisations wanting to run a dedicated women-led startup incubation and acceleration program, and women-led early-stage startups seeking that cohort support.