KSUM, Central University Mull tie-up to Strengthen Startup Ecosystem

KOCHI:
Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) and the Central University of Kerala (CUK), Kasaragod, have agreed to explore the possibility of setting up an Incubation Centre at the university, which will further strengthen the state’s startup ecosystem, especially in northern districts.

The decision on the collaboration between KSUM and CUK comes close on the heels of the recently-held Rural India Business Conclave in Kasaragod, where they had discussed a host of relevant topics.

An MoU for establishing the Incubation Centre will be clinched soon.

After the three-day Agribusiness Summit, a meeting was held to take the idea forward. CUK Vice Chancellor Prof H Venkateshwarlu, Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) Director Anitha Karun, Malabar Angel Network Co-Founder P K Gopalakrishnan, Dr K Srinivas, KSUM Project Director Riyas M P, KSUM Business Development Coordinator Sayyid Sawad and potential investors from Kasaragod attended the meeting.

The proposal envisages to make available the labs of the CUK for the initial activities of startups. The university has also plans to conduct an extensive study about the startup ecosystem in the state. Also, startups will get mentorship from a team of academic experts from the university. As part of the new education policy, the 28 departments in the university will have the facility to support local entrepreneurship.

As a prelude to formalising the partnership, successful startup founders from the state will interact with students of the CUK. A cohort of Angel investors based in Kasaragod, who are interested in investment in startups, has also been formed.

KSUM is the nodal agency of the Kerala Government for entrepreneurship development and incubation activities in the state.