KSUM Signs MoU with Hub.Brussels to Accelerate Global Startup Ecosystem Development

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Kerala’s promising startups will get a huge opportunity to enter the European market with Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) inking a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hub.Brussels, the regional agency for economic development in Belgium, to foster cross-border startup ecosystem development.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Princess Astrid of Belgium, marking a significant milestone in strengthening global startup collaborations between India and Belgium at a function in Mumbai. The MoU was exchanged between KSUM CEO Anoop Ambika and Hub.Brussels deputy CEO Annelore Isaac.

This strategic alliance will unlock a string of opportunities for startups from both the regions to scale their businesses, gain market exposure, and build partnerships. It will also accelerate the internationalization of startups by providing seamless access to global markets, leveraging the vibrant innovation ecosystems of both Kerala and Brussels.

Commenting on the agreement, KSUM CEO Anoop Ambika said, “This collaboration marks a significant step towards making Kerala a global launch pad for startups. By bridging two vibrant innovation ecosystems, we aim to create new pathways for startups to scale internationally and bring global opportunities closer to our entrepreneurs. This will also open up opportunities for startups from across the country.”

The partnership between KSUM and Hub.Brussels will facilitate deep collaboration in areas like healthcare and lifescience, rubber based innovations, technology transfer and co creation opportunities. The key sectors in Belgium include healthcare (healthtech), software and data, clean technology, artificial intelligence (AI), data intelligence, and business relationship management (BRM) software.

As part of the MoU, Hub.Brussels will host the ‘Startup Infinity Centre’ at its headquarters in Brussels – a dedicated soft-landing initiative offering selected Kerala-based startups up to three months of free working space, business mentorship, access to meeting rooms, and networking opportunities with potential partners in Europe.

Additionally, it will support startups with access to talent pools, real estate advisory, and B2B meeting arrangements to help them establish a foothold in the European market.

Reciprocally, KSUM will provide similar support to startups from Brussels looking to explore the thriving Indian market by offering office space, mentorship, and access to its extensive online platform for demo days, market access programmes, and networking with key Indian business players.

The partnership will further enable bilateral startup delegations, immersion programmes, and joint talent, research, and entrepreneurship initiatives under the Kerala IT framework, facilitating collaborative innovation between the two ecosystems.

Significantly, the collaboration will give an impetus to Kerala’s position as a leading global startup destination, unlocking new growth avenues for entrepreneurs while fostering deeper collaboration between India and Europe.

Currently, KSUM, the nodal agency of the Kerala government for promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, supports over 6,300+ startups, 64 incubators, and 525 innovation centres, with a strong focus on the digital sector, health tech and services.

On its part, Hub.Brussels, which welcomed seven Indian startups in 2024, has been actively building strategic partnerships in India to facilitate the entry of promising startups by strengthening collaborations for a dynamic exchange of startups between the two countries.