Government of Kerala initiated the Startup movement through Kerala Startup Mission(KSUM) by forging and implementing forward-looking policies for creating a vibrant Startup ecosystem in the state primarily to foster the growth of innovation lead technology entrepreneurship by supporting all the strata of society to encourage them to come up with ideas and to turn it into business so that they may obtain gainful employment and can employ others as well.
Kerala is currently witnessing the rise of technology driven, innovation-led and knowledge-based enterprises right from the college level. KSUM put forward the concept of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centre (IEDC) in the year 2014 and was formulated to promote innovation and entrepreneurial culture in educational institutions and to develop institutional mechanisms to foster techno-entrepreneurs. IEDC aims to create awareness, exposure and technology skills among the students and to enable and promote an environment to create technopreneurial ventures by developing innovative products of social relevance. IEDCs act as mini incubators enabling students to work on prototypes while studying and entrepreneurship has already become a part of the educational system in the state.
Business incubation has been globally recognized as an important tool for job creation and economic development. Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centre of Kerala Startup Mission in educational institutions that shows promising performance and contributing to the startup pipeline of the state shall be upgraded as Technology Business Incubators. This shall primarily aim to tap innovations and technologies for venture creation in and around academic, technical and management institutions by utilising expertise and infrastructure already available with the Host Institution (HI). Technology based new enterprises are high risk and high growth ventures, and require an enabling environment to enhance the prospects of their success.
| Parameter | IEDC | LEAP Coworks | TBI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Startups from the institution | At least 2 startups from the institution | At least 2 startups from the institution | At least 5 startups from the institution is mandatory |
| Space | Minimum 1000 Sqft carpet area is mandatory | Minimum 2500 sqft carpet area is mandatory | 15000 sqft (Minimum 5000 sqft carpet area space is mandatory) |
| Thrust area | Sector egnostic | Sector egnostic | Having a thrust area is mandatory |
| Registration | NA | NA | Registered as a section 8 company / society* |
| Funding support | Accreditation linked grants | Based on schemes available under KSUM | Based on schemes available under KSUM |
| Space commitment period | Till IEDC is there | Minimum 5 years | Minimum 10 years |
| Can it be linked | NA | Linked with IEDC | Linked with IEDC & LEAP coworks |
| Access to external innovators | Based on institution policy | Should be accessible to external personnel | Should be accessible to external personnel |
| Access to labs and infrastructures | Based on institution policy | Should be accessible to external personnel** | Should be accessible to external personnel** |
| Full time Head / CEO | At lest two Nodal officer and one should be a female | Atlest two Nodal officer and one should be a female | Full time head is mandatory |
* Having a registered body at the time of application is not mandatory, but if selected should be
completed with in a span of 3 months
**Utilisation charges shall be levied as per institution policy
Official social media handles of IEDC
Official Social Media handles of Kerala Startup Mission