KSUM partners with Kalamandalam to boost creative economy

Trivandrum / January 24, 2026

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 24: In a pioneering initiative that extends innovation to cultural realm, Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kerala Kalamandalam, the state’s deemed to be University for Art, to set up a Creative Incubator on its campus at Cheruthuruthi in Thrissur district.

The MoU was signed on January 21 between Shri Anoop Ambika, Chief Executive Officer, KSUM, and Shri B. Ananthakrishnan, Vice Chancellor, Kerala Kalamandalam, in the presence of Shri Seeram Sambasiva Rao IAS, Special Secretary, Electronics and Information Technology Department, Government of Kerala, at his office here.

Dr Santhosh Babu IAS, Principal Secretary & MD, KSITIL, Dr Rajesh Kumar P, Registrar, Kerala Kalamandalam; Smt Surya Thankam, Manager, KSUM were also present during the occasion.

“This partnership marks a significant step towards strengthening Kerala’s cultural and creative economy and highlights the State Government’s commitment to integrating art, culture, technology, and entrepreneurship,” Shri Rao noted.

This unique initiative comes as part of KSUM’s continued efforts to build  an inclusive innovation ecosystems by bringing together culture, creativity, and technology to position Kerala as a leading hub for creative entrepreneurship, Shri Anoop Ambika said.

Through this partnership, KSUM and Kerala Kalamandalam will jointly establish a Creative Incubation Centre to support creative startups and enable students and artists to leverage technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

The collaboration also envisages training programmes, mentorship, residencies, exhibitions, and access to KSUM’s startup ecosystem, while promoting art-based enterprises across the state.

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