KSUM’s IEDC 2.0: Cluster meet in Kottayam district; LEAP centre opens

Kottayam : Sept. 09: Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) held its ninth cluster meeting, as the event in Kottayam district also saw the inauguration of a co-working space at Amal Jyothi College of Engineering in Kanjirappally for the benefit of the public and the alumni.

At the autonomous institution’s Startup Valley Technology Business Incubator, KSUM Chief Executive Officer Shri Anoop Ambika inaugurated the first KSUM-approved LEAP centre in Kottayam district. LEAP is an acronym for ‘Launch, Empower, Accelerate and Prosper’, with the aim of fostering innovation and entrepreneurial networks and facilitating startups to use co-working spaces at minimal cost.

Present at the function last week were Amal Jyothi Principal Dr Lillikutty Jacob, Administrative Director Fr Roy Abraham, Startups Valley TBI CEO Dr. Sherin Sam Jose and KSUM Assistant Manager Bergin S. Russell, among others. Also, a seminar was held, with the participation of teachers and students of IEDCs working in higher education institutions of Kottayam district.

The cluster provides office space with internet connectivity, fabrication and testing facilities to both individuals and start-ups operating on work-from-home basis in the districts of Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Idukki.

Those interested can apply through the KSUM website or visit the portal of Amal Jyothi. For details:https://iedcsummit.in/. The facility will enable interactions with the leadership in the startup ecosystem and also showcase one’s skills.

The Kanjirappally event was held in the run-up to KSUM’s November 19 IEDC (Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centre) Summit, conceived as Asia’s largest gathering of entrepreneurs. The summit at Kozhikode is expected to be attended by more than 20,000 participants from the startup ecosystem.

The summit, which aims to help delegates gain experience in technology, entrepreneurship and skill development, will help foster connections between student innovators, industry leaders and top startups. It also strive to discover new talents and nurture them in the startup ecosystem.

Since 2016, IEDC Summit has been creating revolutionary changes among aspiring entrepreneurs and students in the state. The annual event brings together government officials, academicians, corporates and industrialists along with investors and expert advisors. It also aims to update awareness among the entrepreneurial community about the changes taking place in the fields of innovation, business, investment and technology. These hubs will provide startups and students with the resources, mentorship and collaborative environment they need to innovate and grow.

KSUM has planned interactive sessions in all districts to present the core themes of IEDC 2.0 project before the entire spectrum of stakeholders, including entrepreneurs, innovators, academics and students. The endeavour is aimed at forging stakeholder collaborations for sustainable and inclusive development in society.

KSUM is the Kerala government’s nodal agency established in 2006 for entrepreneurship development and incubation activities in the state