Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC)

Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) is the premier agency of the Government of Kerala, mandated to for industrial and investment promotion in Kerala. Formed in 1961, KSIDC’s primary objective was to promote, facilitate and finance large and medium-scale industries and catalyze the development of physical and social infrastructure required for industrial growth in the state. The one-stop-shop for any investment in Kerala, KSIDC offers a comprehensive set of services that an investor needs to set up an enterprise in the State.

Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM)

The Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) is the nodal agency of the government of Kerala for promoting entrepreneurship in the state. It is also the implementing body for the Kerala Technology Startup Policy that supports the state’s startup ecosystem through the various schemes and support programs. KSUM was founded in 2006, with the goal to promote technology-based entrepreneurship activities and to create the infrastructure and ecosystem required to support high-end technology-based startup businesses.

KSUM acts as a springboard for budding entrepreneurs who wish to launch themselves into the world of technology-based careers and has helped develop several innovative products and solutions. Over the past decade KSUM has been able to build a vibrant startup ecosystem allowing technology entrepreneurs to pursue their goals and dreams by providing them complete support in the startup life cycle. Today KSUM along with sector-specific partner organisations, boast of 2900 + registered startups, 10 Lakh + sq. feet of incubation space, 40+ incubators and 300+ innovation centres across the state of Kerala.

The interventions made by KSUM in Kerala have brought about a cultural change among the youth of Kerala, as well as in how the government goes about its work. Young minds who come up with innovative solutions now have the support of various incubators and government schemes as highlighted earlier, which not only help bring in funding but also provide mentorship and expansion opportunities at different stages. This approach of the government enables startups to entrepreneurs to get ample opportunities to collaborate with the support infrastructure to develop impactful technology solutions.

Kerala Development & Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC)

Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council was originally constituted as a department guided by a six-member advisory council with Dr. K. M. Abraham, former Chief Secretary to Government of Kerala as the Chairperson. The Council consisted of six eminent persons of repute in Science, Innovation and Technology in order to equip K-DISC to carry out the newly assigned activities of the Knowledge Mission.

K-DISC advises the Government of Kerala on strategic directions in various spheres. Such strategic papers shall reflect the new directions in technology adaptation, innovation and progress. In addition it is entrusted with the task of creating a healthy and conducive environment for fostering innovations in the State. K-DISC was formed as a society by the Government of Kerala and registered under the Travancore-Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Act, 1955 for achieving any one or more of the following objectives:

Given the radically enhanced role that K-DISC is envisaged to take up in the new Government’s thrust to make Kerala an innovation hub, the structure of K-DISC has been totally revamped. K-DISC was registered as a society on May 4, 2021, with the Chief Minister as the Chairperson, Finance Minister as Vice Chairperson and Ministers for Industries, Higher Education, Labour and Skills and Agriculture as members. The Governing body consists of Vice Chancellors of the major Universities in the state and experts from various walks of life.