Kerala’s Student Entrepreneurs to Take Centre Stage at IEDC Summit 2026

THRISSUR:
Showcasing state’s student innovation ecosystem, Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) will organize the 11th edition of IEDC (Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centre) Summit 2026 on September 28.

The theme of IEDC Summit 2026, Asia’s largest student-led startup and innovation summit, is ‘Innovation Beyond the Future.’

Prior to the event, a state-level meeting of district cluster coordinators of IEDCs will be held on September 26 for setting the context for the summit. Chief Minister V D Satheesan and Minister for Higher Education Roji M John are expected to attend the meeting.

Minister for Industries, IT & AI, P K Kunhalikutty, will inaugurate IEDC Summit 2026 at Sahrdaya College of Engineering & Technology, Kodakara, Thrissur on September 28.

IEDC Summit 2026 will bring together students, aspiring entrepreneurs, founders, investors, industry professionals, mentors and innovators. The event is expected to attract 10,000-plus attendees, creating a vibrant platform for bold ideas, emerging ventures, knowledge sharing and meaningful connections.

The summit will showcase the strength of Kerala’s IEDCs, representing 601 IEDCs across 14 districts and 14 clusters, supported by 1,000-plus nodal officers, over 4,000 student leads, 40-plus WINGS and NEST members, more than 250 startups and 5,000-plus ideas.

More than 70 speakers and a diverse ecosystem of innovators and industry stakeholders will be part of the summit that aims to strengthen student participation in entrepreneurship and innovation across the state.

The IEDC Summit 2026 will provide students with opportunities to interact with founders, entrepreneurs, investors and industry experts while exploring emerging technologies, creative thinking and startup building. It will feature keynote sessions, panel discussions, hands-on workshops, learning stations, student project and technology showcases, mentorship interactions and networking sessions.

The Higher Education Innovation Leaders & Nodal Officers Conclave, organised by KSUM in collaboration with the Kerala State Higher Education Council, will be held on September 29. It will focus on integrating innovation and entrepreneurship into higher education institutions and academic curricula.

The summit will provide students with practical exposure to the startup ecosystem, besides designed workshops for participants across different skill levels, enabling students with no prior entrepreneurial experience to learn through practical examples.

The summit will also serve as a platform for students and innovators to showcase their startups, projects and ideas, receive feedback from experts, connect with peers and mentors, and gain wider exposure within the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

IEDC Summit 2026 is open to students and aspiring innovators who are passionate about entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation.