Kerala seeks business leaders help for startups

The Kerala Government has sought major Kerala-based industries’ support in grooming young entrepreneurs.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Industries and IT Minister PK Kunhalikutty told a meeting of business leaders here recently that the government would chalk out a strategy to make the State an ideal destination for young entrepreneurs. The meeting, attended by leaders of 78 business houses, offered support for the project.

“The student entrepreneurship policy of the government is showing positive results and there is great enthusiasm among the youth,” Oommen Chandy told the meeting. He said the government would extend all help to startups and noted that the expertise of the established entrepreneurs was a pre-requisite for it.

Kunhalikkutty said the State would be able to tap the potential of the youngsters only with the help of business leaders. The industry should join hands with the government to shape the future entrepreneurs.

“We are supporting young innovators and we need your expertise, direction and guidance to support the youngsters,” he told the business leaders.

Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation Managing Director Aruna Sundararajan said KSIDC was launching 50-odd incubators for supporting business and technology startups.

“We are working with industry organizations for providing mentoring to young innovators,” she said. “The KSIDC will launch a venture capital fund of ₹ 20 crore in the coming Young Entrepreneurs Summit for supporting the startups,” she said.