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Karnataka Govt Shortlists 100 Startups Through Elevate 100
The Karnataka Government shortlisted 100 innovative startups to provide a funding of Rs. 35 crores through its Elevate 100 program. In the next stage of this program, the selected startups will be given access to mentors, incubators and venture capital investors, based on the recommendations of an expert panel.
The startups were selected through a four layered selection process with over 250 startups vying for these top 100 slots in the final leg of the process. Over 1,700 startups applied for the program which was announced over a month ago. According to Minister for Information Technology and Biotechnology Priyank Kharge, close to 400 startups that applied were from rural areas and more than 350 were women entrepreneurs.
The selected 100 startups will get a kit with freebies from Google, Amazon and Zoho and services and mentoring from firms such as PwC, Yes Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank. The government investment will be made in the form of grants as well as equity through Karnataka’s BioTech and IT funds. Google, Amazon and PricewaterhouseCoopers Pvt., Ltd., along with 5 other top companies have signed a memorandum of understanding with the Karnataka Government to cater to the needs of these 100 companies.
The top 100 finalists work in areas such as electronic system design, manufacturing and IoT space, medical technology space, biotech sector and in the agricultural space. Speaking about the selection process, Minister Priyank Kharge said not a single representative of the State was on the selection panel to ensure that the State’s role was to only bring together corporates and startups. “The efforts of the Karnataka government doesn’t stop at elevating the chosen 100. We see ELEVATE 100 as a continuing process where the best ideas from the State gets the support and guidance it deserves,” he added.
The Elevate program traversed the length and breadth of Karnataka for finding startups and promoting startup culture outside of Bengaluru. Kharge also added it was extremely encouraging to see the growth of startups in Hubbali, Belgaum, Mangaluru and Mysuru.
Rozana, India’s leading rural retail platform, has secured ₹290 crore ($35 million) in a Series B funding round led by Bertelsmann India Investments (BII), with participation from Omidyar Network India, Vivid Capital, and Tana Investment Holding. This Rozana funding brings its total capital to over ₹500 crore, fueling hyperlocal expansion in underserved rural markets. Founded in 2021 by brothers Prashant and Prateek Chauhan, the startup’s phygital model blends micro-stores, app-based ordering, and last-mile delivery to connect 5 million+ users in 12 states with brands like ITC and HUL.
The ₹290 crore investment will supercharge Rozana’s rural omnichannel retail strategy, targeting 5x growth in 18 months. Plans include adding 5,000 micro-stores in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan; AI-powered inventory tech; and new categories like groceries and electronics. By empowering 20,000+ rural micro-entrepreneurs, Rozana taps into India’s $700 billion rural retail boom, where smartphone penetration and UPI drive 12% annual growth.
This Rozana Series B milestone positions it as a frontrunner against rivals like Ninjacart, eyeing unicorn status by 2028 amid ONDC tailwinds. CEO Prashant Chauhan emphasized, “We’re building rural prosperity through accessible premium brands.” For more on Rozana funding news and rural retail trends, stay updated on India’s startup ecosystem.
Peak XV Partners has launched three new funds totaling $1.3 billion, targeting India’s booming startup ecosystem. The lineup features the $600M Surge fund (8th edition) for early-stage ventures, a $300M Growth Fund for Series B+ scaling, and a $400M Acceleration Fund for rapid portfolio expansion. This commitment arrives as India’s VC inflows rebound, with AI and fintech leading 2026 trends.
These funds build on Peak XV’s legacy of backing unicorns like Zomato and Pine Labs, offering founders capital plus strategic guidance amid post-winter recovery. Early-stage deals surged 20% last year per Tracxn, positioning Peak XV to fuel the next wave of innovation in SaaS, climate tech, and consumer plays.
For startups eyeing Peak XV new funds or Surge fund 2026 applications, this signals prime opportunities. Investors and marketers should watch for deployment updates India remains a global VC hotspot.
Hyderabad, January 13, 2026 Neeman’s, India’s leading D2C footwear brand famed for sustainable shoes and patented PIXLL® technology, has raised $4 million from existing investors. This funding boosts its cumulative capital past $10 million since 2015, with a post-money valuation nearing $50 million. CEO Vijay Chahoria emphasized offline retail as the “next frontier,” planning 50+ new stores in Tier 2/3 cities like Jaipur and Lucknow to blend eco-friendly innovation with hands-on customer experiences.
In India’s booming D2C ecosystem where footwear sales hit ₹1.2 lakh crore in 2025 Neeman’s targets hybrid retail amid high online CAC and 25-30% returns. Backed by vegan, machine-washable shoes priced ₹2,000-4,000, the brand leverages PIXLL® (5x more breathable than leather) for carbon-neutral comfort. Recent 5x revenue growth to ₹100 crore ARR, 1M+ pairs sold via Myntra and stores, and awards at India D2C Summit 2025 position it ahead of rivals like Paaduks.
Neeman’s offline expansion India eyes the $15B sustainable footwear market by 2028, fueled by PLI schemes, Gen Z’s 70% eco-preference (Nielsen), and Southeast Asia exports. Challenges like real estate costs are offset by data-driven inventory and omnichannel QR tech. Watch for Q1 2026 launches in Hyderabad and Bengaluru redefining D2C success through authentic, “Wear the Change” branding.
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