KSUM IEDC Summit boosts skills of 10,000 student entrepreneurs

Calicut / October 19, 2024

Kozhikode, Oct 19: Around 10,000 innovative student entrepreneurs from across Kerala shared their ideas, experiences and knowledge while also listening to more than 100 speakers from trending domains, as the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centres (IEDC) Summit in the city today held a series of deliberations focusing on technology, entrepreneurship and skill development.

The ninth edition of the summit, which was organised by Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) and is touted as Asia's largest gathering for aspiring entrepreneurs, covered a wide range of topics in talks across more than 15 venues.

At NIT Calicut here, the event, with ‘Beyond the Horizon’ as the theme, provided a platform for student innovators to connect with industry leaders and various start-ups. The participants also got an opportunity to network with leading players in the industry.

KSUM Chief Executive Officer Anoop Ambika said the summit marked a new milestone in the nodal agency’s efforts to broaden the perspective of student innovators by enhancing their technical knowhow. “We could yet again facilitate skill development and foster financial literacy,” he pointed out.

The other key speakers at the day-long sessions included DRDO Director-General (Electronics and Communication Systems) Dr B.K. Das, NIT Calicut Director Prof Prasad Krishna and NIT (CIEI) Chairperson Dr Sudheer A.P.

Honoured at the summit were Team Horizon of Cochin University of Science and Technology for its coveted achievement in the recent 10th edition of the European Rover Challenge in Krakow (Poland) and Thej T. Thomas of Kochi’s Rajagiri School of Engineering for successfully completing a six-month Fab Academy diploma course alongside graduating with an engineering degree from Kerala Technological University.

Already, KSUM, whose mission is to boost entrepreneurship development in Kerala, has established 502 IEDCs in higher educational institutions across the state. These centres provide students with opportunities to learn, collaborate and transform their innovative ideas into viable products and services.

NIT TBI CEO Dr Preethi Manniledam highlighted the organization's support to aspiring innovators by providing them with resources and mentorship. 

Saturday’s summit brought together world-wide dignitaries, who are part of government, academia, corporates, industries, investors, mentors and startups. The summit gave students meaningful exposure to innovation, technology, business and investment opportunities, helping them pursue their ideas and build their own startups.

By offering a dynamic platform for aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators and students to connect, collaborate and grow, the event highlighted the entrepreneurial spirit and innovative potential of Kerala's youth, organisers said.

ENDS