KSUM’s virtual expo draws global attention.

Kerala’s socially-relevant start-ups have received accolades from corporate entities and global delegates during the virtual exhibition that showcased innovative products and services from the ecosystem in the fifth edition of ‘Big Demo Day’ series of Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM).   

Around 15 corporate institutions and more than 10 international delegates attended the expo where 12 startups from healthcare, agriculture, energy, e-mobility, water conservation, Internet of things (IoT) and robotics domains exhibited their cutting-edge products and services for industry to leverage. 

Kerala IT Secretary Shri K. Mohammed Y Safirulla IAS and KSUM CEO Shri Tapan Rayaguru addressed the virtual event, which concluded on Monday.

About 500 people from Kerala and outside visited the one-day exhibition. Around 300 people held live interactions with startup companies. As many as 10 funding agencies that support startups made enquiries with them regarding their financial needs.

Officials from Climate Seed Fund under United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Habitat were among those visited the expo and spoke about the relevance and the impact these products and services could make in the unfolding socio- economic scenario.

“ It was a nice experience participating in Big Demo Day 5.0. Throughout the day we were engaged with a bunch of potential investors. We are expecting the event will yield good response from angel investors”, said Charles Vijay, founder of Nava Design and Innovation Pvt Ltd. 

The event was organised in association with industry bodies, corporate institutions, funding agencies and Angel networks.

The previous editions of ‘Big Demo Day’ had received encouraging response from industry, despite coinciding with the first wave of Covid-19.

KSUM is the nodal agency of the Kerala Government for entrepreneurship development and incubation activities in the state.