In this issue of Big Brain Magazine, we explore how Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) supports online businesses and startups across Kerala. From funding opportunities and incubation programmes to mentorship, training, and market access, discover the key initiatives that help entrepreneurs launch, grow, and scale successful digital businesses.
Kerala Startup Mission offers many financial assistance schemes to promote the growth of startups and online businesses. Seed funding helps startups with innovative ideas in product development, test marketing and mentoring, while they build digital platforms and invest in early-stage growth. The Innovation Grant helps businesses take ideas and make prototypes, develop products, add new features and improve technology. KSUM also provides an Idea Grant of up to ₹2 lakh for students to make prototypes, a Productisation Grant of up to ₹7 lakh to convert prototypes into products ready for the market and a Scale-Up Grant of up to ₹15 lakh to expand business operations. There are also special grants for female and transgender entrepreneurs. The Fund of Funds initiative helps startups access investment opportunities through partnerships with venture capital funds.
Kerala Startup Mission helps startups build and grow their businesses with incubation facilities and critical infrastructure support. The Plug & Play Desks offer affordable office spaces, internet facilities and other basic amenities to startups. Even for an online business that doesn’t require a physical office to be permanent, these facilities can be useful for team meetings, collaborations and business activities. Fab & Future Tech Labs provides the newest lab facilities to tech startups to build and test innovative products. This can be useful to online businesses that deal with hardware or newer technology. Business service office hours are also available at KSUM, where entrepreneurs can get expert advice on legal issues, taxation, finance and other business needs to help online businesses stay compliant and run smoothly.
Kerala Startup Mission has several marketing and promotional support programmes to support startups to increase their visibility and reach potential customers. KSUM’s Marketing Support Scheme reimburses creation of product videos and explainer videos up to 70 per cent of the cost (up to ₹1.5 lakh). This type of content can help online businesses to display their products or services effectively and attract customers. KSUM also conducts national and international exposure programmes for startups to explore global market opportunities, connect with potential investors and extend their reach beyond local markets. Via Public Procurement initiatives, startups can sell their products directly to government departments, with provisions for direct purchases up to ₹20 lakh and limited tender opportunities up to ₹100 lakh.
Support Kerala Startup Mission offers mentorship and networking opportunities to help startups gain valuable guidance and build strong business connections. Through mentorship programmes, entrepreneurs can receive support from industry experts, investors, and academicians, helping online businesses improve their strategies, overcome challenges, and make informed decisions. Community events and workshops provide opportunities for startups to connect with other entrepreneurs and industry professionals, exchange ideas, explore potential partnerships, and stay updated with market trends. KSUM also organises initiatives like Meetup Cafe, including online editions, to provide startups with mentoring, guidance, and networking opportunities that support business growth.
Kerala Startup Mission has several other support initiatives to help startups build and grow their businesses. KSUM helps entrepreneurs to get Startup India recognition under the Startup India initiative of the Government of India, which provides them with various government benefits and opportunities. Startups can avail themselves of all necessary approvals and clearances through a single-window online system through the KSWIFT Portal. The platform also provides patent support to startups to protect their innovative products and technologies by registering them as intellectual property. There are special schemes and assistance for women entrepreneurs to motivate and support their business ventures. The Pravasi Startup Programme is for returning expatriates who wish to explore opportunities to start technology based businesses. To sum up, Kerala Startup Mission offers complete support to establish and scale up online businesses from funding and infrastructure to mentorship, marketing and business development. These initiatives position KSUM as a great resource for online entrepreneurs seeking to build and grow successful businesses.
കേരള സ്റ്റാർട്ടപ്പ് മിഷൻ (KSUM) കേരളത്തിലെ ഓൺലൈൻ ബിസിനസുകൾക്കും സ്റ്റാർട്ടപ്പുകൾക്കും ധനസഹായം, ഇൻകുബേഷൻ സൗകര്യങ്ങൾ, മെൻ്റർഷിപ്പ്, മാർക്കറ്റിംഗ് പിന്തുണ, നെറ്റ്വർക്കിംഗ് അവസരങ്ങൾ എന്നിവ നൽകി വളർച്ചയ്ക്ക് സഹായിക്കുന്നു. സീഡ് ഫണ്ട്, ഗ്രാൻ്റുകൾ, ടെക് ലാബുകൾ, മാർക്കറ്റ് എക്സ്പോഷർ പ്രോഗ്രാമുകൾ, വിദഗ്ധ മാർഗ്ഗനിർദ്ദേശം തുടങ്ങിയ സേവനങ്ങളിലൂടെ സംരംഭകർക്ക് അവരുടെ ആശയങ്ങളെ വിജയകരമായ ബിസിനസുകളാക്കി മാറ്റാൻ KSUM സഹായിക്കുന്നു. സ്റ്റാർട്ടപ്പ് ഇന്ത്യ അംഗീകാരം, KSWIFT പോർട്ടൽ, പേറ്റൻ്റ് സഹായം, വനിതാ സംരംഭകർക്കുള്ള പദ്ധതികൾ തുടങ്ങിയ അധിക പിന്തുണകളും ലഭ്യമാക്കുന്നതിനാൽ, കേരളത്തിലെ ഓൺലൈൻ സംരംഭകർക്ക് വളർച്ചയ്ക്കുള്ള മികച്ച അവസരങ്ങൾ ഒരുക്കുന്ന ഒരു പ്രധാന പ്ലാറ്റ്ഫോമാണ് കേരള സ്റ്റാർട്ടപ്പ് മിഷൻ. പുതിയ സംരംഭകർക്ക് ബിസിനസ്സ് ആരംഭിക്കുന്ന ഘട്ടം മുതൽ വിപുലീകരണ ഘട്ടം വരെ ആവശ്യമായ മാർഗ്ഗനിർദ്ദേശങ്ങളും വിഭവങ്ങളും KSUM നൽകുന്നു. സാങ്കേതികവിദ്യ അടിസ്ഥാനമാക്കിയുള്ള പുതിയ ആശയങ്ങൾ പ്രോത്സാഹിപ്പിക്കുകയും കേരളത്തിലെ സ്റ്റാർട്ടപ്പ് ഇക്കോസിസ്റ്റം ശക്തിപ്പെടുത്തുകയും ചെയ്യുന്നതിൽ KSUM നിർണായക പങ്ക് വഹിക്കുന്നു.