KOCHI:
Giving a fillip to Kerala Startup Mission’s ambitious plans to boost the startup ecosystem in the country by bringing multiple technology incubators under one roof, the work on the first phase of the Kerala Technology Innovation Zone (KTIZ) complex got under way at Kinfra Hi-Tech Park in Kalamassery on Wednesday.
M Sivasankar, IT Secretary to the Kerala Government, who launched the project by performing the ground-breaking ceremony at the site, said KTIZ will be developed as the largest startup ecosystem of the country and a global innovation hub.
“Once completed, Kerala Technology Innovation Zone will be the country’s largest startup ecosystem. Besides, the 13.2 acre-KTIZ complex will also serve as a global innovation incubator hub for different players in the technology space,” Sivasankar said.
This ambitious project funded by Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) will be the largest infrastructure project for a startup ecosystem in the state. Kerala State Information Technology Infrastructure ltd (KSITIL), the nodal agency to carry out all infrastructure works under the department of IT department will be the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for implementing this project.
The incubator model of KTIZ will focus on ICT, electronics, IoT, robotics, biotech and other industries, by creating individual verticals for each sector with dedicated infrastructure and research facilities.
One of the major demands of a startup entrepreneur is to have every facility available, required to begin a startup without any hassles. This will be the apt solution for that, said KSUM CEO Dr Saji Gopinath.
“Kerala has already made significant advances in the digital and IT sector. We want to capitalise on this revolution and support technology-focused entrepreneurs, who have the potential to bring to life path-breaking solutions for social good as well. KTIZ will serve as the leading end-to-end incubation model through various stages of technological innovation,” he added.
Specifically focusing on home-grown enterprises, the innovation centre will be a one-stop solution for different stages of technology creation, which will include conceptualisation, incubation and acceleration of ideas; mentoring innovators; as well as attracting angel investors. One of the primary objectives of KTIZ would be to encourage the entrepreneurial spirit of young innovators, by hosting cross-sector innovation programmes, targeting solutions for social impact.
The complex will come up at 13.2 acres, received from the state’s infrastructure development agency KINFRA. The first building will be of 2.07 lakh sq ft. In the second phase, a 42000 feet building is being envisaged. The construction will be carried out without disturbing the existing ecology.
Apart from this, a building of one lakh sq ft to be constructed by the Software Technology Parks of India will also come up in the same zone. It will be funded entirely by the centre.
The construction of the building, with a capacity to host over 4,000 people on a single day, will be completed by April 2020.
