‘Ignite Kollam’ unlocks startup investments in district
Kollam / January 30, 2023
Kollam, Jan. 30: ‘Ignite Kollam’, an investment meet organised by the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) here to brief High Networth Individuals (HNIs) on investment potential in startups on January 28, concluded on a high note with the participants showing keen interest to partner with viable ventures.
The one-day conclave held in the run-up to the 8th edition of the annual angel investors summit, ‘Seeding Kerala 23’, saw wide participation of startups, industries, government officials, HNIs and stakeholders.
Over 30 HNIs and 50 startup representatives attended the meet, which highlighted the strengths of Kerala’s vibrant startup ecosystem and the investment potential it offers.
KSUM’s first largest event in the district, ‘Ignite Kollam’ focused on investment opportunities and the creation of a robust startup ecosystem in the district.
The meet focused on four major areas - Investor-Startup Connects, Knowledge sharing sessions for HNIs and Startups, and a roundtable conference on the Kollam Startup ecosystem by stakeholders and key players.
The pitch clinic session of ‘Ignite Kollam’ featured an impressive lineup of speakers including Mr. Senu Sam, Founder, Mykare, and Mr. Safil Sunny, Founder & CEO, Tranzmeo, who spoke on matters like startup funding methods and how to structure an effective business pitch.
Aimed at creating an angel investors network from the district, experts from venture capital companies and angel investor networks convened to examine the investment environment in the district. Through the Investor Café, startups got an opportunity to interact one-on-one with investors.
Mr. P K Gopalakrishnan from Malabar Angel Network spoke about the enormous investment opportunities in startups. The HNIs were also briefed on other modes of start-up investment and associated risk factors.
Kollam has so many academic institutions, industries, and HNIs, which make it a fertile ground for startups to get nourished, said Shri Anoop Ambika, CEO, KSUM.
“A traditional hub of industries such as cashew processing, fishing and aluminum fabrication, Kollam promises numerous opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors. Kollam has quite a lot of HNIs who are capable of investing in startups. Through events like Ignite, the HNIs can further strengthen Kerala’s startup ecosystem,” he said.
He also pointed out that KSUM will serve as a focal point, bringing the stakeholders together to form a hub for startups and investors. Continued efforts are needed to create excellent opportunities for innovation, investment and entrepreneurship in the district, he added.
MLAs Shri Sujith Vijayanpillai and Shri M Noushad, representatives from Junior Chamber International, the Department of Fisheries, District Industries Centre, the Kerala State Institute of Design, Technopark Kundara, TKM Group of Institutions, MES Group of Institutions and the Malabar Angel Network participated in the round table conference held as part of the investment meet.
KSUM, the nodal agency of the Kerala Government for entrepreneurship development and incubation activities in the state, has been organising ignite drives in all districts to attract investors for the startups under KSUM.
