Quick Take
- KITS, Karnataka’s IT/BT nodal agency, has signed an MoU with IdeaBaaz Tech Pvt Ltd for startups.
- Karnataka founders now get mentorship, funding access, and market linkages through IdeaBaaz’s platform.
- IdeaBaaz airs on Zee TV and Zee5, reaching over 1.3 billion viewers across 8 regional language channels.
Karnataka’s startup body KITS Signs MoU with IdeaBaaz Tech Pvt Ltd to connect state founders with mentorship, funding access, and market linkages through India’s first integrated TV-based startup platform. The partnership, announced by the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS) under the state’s Department of Electronics, IT, BT & S&T, marks the first time a government startup agency has formally tied up with a startup-focused television platform to widen ecosystem reach.
IdeaBaaz is a reality show and startup marketplace that premiered on Zee TV and Zee5 on October 25, 2025. It was launched at the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and is backed by media veteran Raj Nayak, who serves as mentor, investor, and chief curator. The platform is positioned as India’s first integrated marketplace connecting founders with investors, professional services, and national-level media visibility — with the show hosted by actor Pratik Gandhi.
StartupFeed Insight
The MoU between KITS and IdeaBaaz is quietly significant for one underreported reason: it brings media distribution into the Karnataka government’s startup support toolkit for the first time. Every previous government MoU has linked startups to capital (grants, VC funds) or infrastructure (incubators, NAIN centres). This one links startups to visibility — on a national TV channel with 1.3 billion viewers and 8 regional language feeds. For Tier-II Karnataka founders in Mysuru, Hubballi, or Mangaluru, that is not a trivial unlock. Founders who cannot afford a PR agency or a digital marketing budget can now get national audience exposure through IdeaBaaz’s selection process.
What Does the KITS Signs MoU with IdeaBaaz Mean for Founders?
The partnership creates three concrete pathways for Karnataka-registered startups. First, mentorship: IdeaBaaz’s platform already offers access to industry experts, investor networks, and functional advisors across legal, accounting, digital marketing, and go-to-market domains. KITS-registered startups will now be able to access these resources through a structured channel rather than through ad hoc applications to the show.
Second, funding access: IdeaBaaz functions as a live pitch platform where founders present to venture capitalists and angel investors in a nationally televised format. The platform also enables investors to pitch in any regional language — a first for India’s startup funding ecosystem. For Karnataka founders from non-metro cities, this removes a significant access barrier that has historically limited their ability to connect with institutional capital.
Third, market linkages and industry-academia collaboration: KITS brings its network of over 20 Technology Business Incubators (TBIs), 50 New-Age Innovation Network (NAIN) centres across Karnataka’s colleges, and its established government procurement channels. Combined with IdeaBaaz’s media reach, this creates a rare dual-track support structure: government credibility plus mass consumer awareness.
About KITS and IdeaBaaz
KITS — the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society — is the nodal agency of Karnataka’s Department of Electronics, IT, BT & S&T. It implements the Karnataka Startup Policy 2022-27, manages the Elevate grant programme (up to Rs 50 lakh per startup), and oversees a Rs 100 crore venture capital fund targeting deep-tech sectors. IdeaBaaz Tech Pvt Ltd was founded by Jeet Wagh and family, with Sagoon Wagh as co-founder, and is curated by Raj Nayak, former CEO of Colors TV. The platform is co-funded with Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEE), which carries the show across Zee TV, Zee5, and 8 regional language channels.
How Does IdeaBaaz Compare to Other Startup Platforms?
| Platform | Format | Primary Audience | Government Backing | Language Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IdeaBaaz | TV reality show + startup marketplace | Tier-II and III founders, early-stage | Yes (KITS MoU) | 8 regional languages on Zee |
| Shark Tank India | TV reality show | Growth-stage startups, urban | No formal govt tie-up | Hindi (Sony LIV) |
| Startup India Showcase | Online portal | DPIIT-recognised startups | Yes (central govt) | English primarily |
| Karnataka Elevate | Grant competition | Karnataka founders only | Yes (KITS-run) | English / Kannada |
The key differentiator IdeaBaaz holds over Shark Tank India is its stated focus on idea-stage founders — not just market-ready startups — and its multi-language pitch format, which makes it accessible to founders who do not pitch comfortably in English or Hindi.
Why Does Karnataka’s IT/BT Department Back This Partnership?
Karnataka has been running the “Beyond Bengaluru” initiative since 2022, with a dedicated Rs 75 crore cluster seed fund for startups in Mysuru, Mangaluru, and Hubballi-Dharwad-Belagavi. The core problem has not been funding availability — it has been discovery. High-potential founders from these cities rarely reach the attention of Bengaluru-based investors or national media. An MoU with a platform that broadcasts on 8 regional channels and Zee5 directly addresses that discovery gap at scale.
Karnataka’s Startup Policy 2022-27 set a target of 50 NAIN centres outside the Bengaluru Urban district. As of early 2026, the state has recognised over 15,000 startups. The IdeaBaaz partnership gives KITS a private-sector media amplifier without requiring additional government expenditure — a capital-efficient approach to ecosystem building that other state governments are likely to replicate.
What’s Next
IdeaBaaz’s creative head Kailash Gandhi has confirmed that Season 2 is already in planning. Karnataka startups registered with KITS should watch for a formal application window tied to the MoU — likely a dedicated Karnataka cohort within IdeaBaaz’s next selection cycle. KITS’s Elevate programme typically opens its next grant round by Q2 of the financial year; a coordinated IdeaBaaz-Elevate application pathway within the next 6-9 months would be a logical next step. Will other state startup bodies — particularly those in Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and UP — now partner with established TV platforms to widen founder reach?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the KITS and IdeaBaaz MoU about?
KITS — Karnataka’s state startup body under the Department of Electronics, IT, BT & S&T — has signed an MoU with IdeaBaaz Tech Pvt Ltd to give Karnataka founders access to mentorship, funding, and market linkages. IdeaBaaz is a startup reality show and integrated marketplace that airs on Zee TV, Zee5, and 8 regional language channels, reaching over 1.3 billion viewers globally. The partnership also promotes industry-academia collaboration and expands opportunities for founders outside Bengaluru.
What is IdeaBaaz and how does it help startups?
IdeaBaaz is India’s first integrated startup platform combining a national TV reality show with a startup marketplace. Founded by Jeet Wagh and curated by media veteran Raj Nayak, it premiered on Zee TV and Zee5 in October 2025. The platform connects founders — particularly from Tier-II and Tier-III cities — with venture capitalists, angel investors, and professional service providers. Unlike other startup shows, investors and founders can pitch in any Indian regional language, removing a significant accessibility barrier.
Who runs KITS and what does it do for Karnataka startups?
KITS, the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society, is the nodal agency of Karnataka’s Department of Electronics, IT, BT & S&T. It implements the Karnataka Startup Policy 2022-27, which includes the Elevate grant (up to Rs 50 lakh per startup), a Rs 100 crore VC fund for deep-tech startups, and 50 NAIN centres in colleges outside Bengaluru. KITS also manages the Karnataka Startup Cell, which provides registered startups with government incentives, incubator access, and policy support.
Written by Soumya Verma. Published: April 26, 2026. Updated: April 26, 2026. Have a tip? Write to us at editorial@startupfeed.in.
