KARNATAKA ACCELERATION NETWORK (KAN) – COHORT 2

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Shine Foundation

Astra, UAS

Derbi

Ginserv

Jain Launchpad

STEP

TIE Mangaluru

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

What is KAN?

A flagship startup acceleration program by the Government of Karnataka and KDEM, designed to help early-stage startups scale faster through mentorship, market access and investor readiness.

Why This Program Matters

Shortens the time from idea → traction → scale
Provides structured guidance from industry experts
Opens doors to market pilots, investors and government networks
Strengthens regional startup ecosystems

What You Get

Expert Mentorship

1:1 sessions + group workshops with seasoned leaders to help you grow.

Growth Modules

Comprehensive modules on strategy, finance, and scaling operations.

Market Access

Opportunities to pilot your solutions with industry and government.

Investor Bootcamp

Get investor-ready with curated connects and Demo Day preparation.

Workspace Access

Access premium incubation facilities across Karnataka.

Mangaluru Cluster

How the Program Runs in Mangaluru

Structured 4-Module Program: Delivered by SHINE Foundation under KDEM guidelines — covering strategy, validation, Go-To-Market and scale pathways.
Weekly Mentorship & Reviews: Dedicated mentors track progress, identify gaps and support founders through milestone completion.
Local Market Pilots: Startups get access to customers, partner institutions, and early validation opportunities in the mangaluru region.
Investor Readiness: Pitch coaching, financial refinement, curated investor connects and Demo Day preparation.
Reporting & Transparency: Monthly updates are submitted to KDEM on progress, milestones and financial utilization.
Infrastructure Support: Participating startups get access to premium workspaces, labs, and facilities in Mangaluru.

Who Can Apply

Karnataka-registered startups (except OPC)
MVP-ready / PoC-ready / early-traction startups
Seed-funded or revenue-ready startups
Innovation-led, tech-enabled solutions
Founders committed to full-time execution

Cohort Benefits

Build → Validate → Scale under expert supervision
Connect with mentors, investors and partners
Accelerate growth with structured support
Gain visibility through Demo Day