The 10th Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centre (IEDC) Summit, organised by the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) in collaboration with LBS College of Engineering, Kasaragod, began on Monday (December 22), providing a major platform for young innovators and entrepreneurs from across the State.
As part of strengthening collaboration in the start-up ecosystem, the KSUM and the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The summit was inaugurated by Uduma MLA C.H. Kunhambu, while N.A. Nellikkunnu, Kasaragod MLA, presided over the function.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Kunhambu said youth should not only present innovative ideas but also ensure that their ventures contributed meaningfully to society. Entrepreneurs and innovation play a crucial role in transforming Kerala into a knowledge based economy, he said, adding that the State must move beyond a traditional economic model by integrating technology and productivity to enhance output.
Mr. Nellikunnu described the summit as a new and valuable experience for Kasaragod district. Lauding the KSUM, he said its contribution to nurturing young entrepreneurs in the State was significant, and that the summit would open up fresh opportunities. He noted that Kerala was steadily emerging as an industry-friendly State, with procedural hurdles for starting enterprises having been considerably reduced, creating a favourable environment for an industrial resurgence driven by knowledge-based growth.
District Collector K. Inbasekar congratulated young entrepreneurs who arrived in Kasaragod to participate in the summit, noting that the district had witnessed notable development over the past five years. Welcoming participants who travelled by the “Innovation train” from various parts of the State, he invited them to experience Kasaragod’s cultural richness and tourism potential.
Prizes were distributed to winners of the NASA Space Apps Challenge, with team Meteor Resolvers and Celesta emerging as global finalists. It was also announced that the IEDC Startup Summit 2026 will be held on March 7, 2026, at Amal Jyothi College of Engineering, Kanjirappally.
Along with student idea presentations, the summit features expos, panel sessions, masterclasses, and fireside chats. Around 7,000 students, investors, and policymakers are participating in the two-day event.
Published – December 23, 2025 07:21 pm IST
