The Kerala Start-up Mission (KSUM) plans to expand its successfully running 'start-up boot camps' to more colleges, giving a larger number of students a chance to join young entrepreneurs' population in the state.
Kerala start-up Mission has invited more engineering colleges to start Innovation Entrepreneurship and Development Centres (IEDC) to develop innovative business ideas with market-viable products, according to an official release.
So far, about 25 colleges have started IEDC centres with the support of KSUM to deliver high-quality training and entrepreneurship development activities. It also features the presence of technology entrepreneurs, experienced entrepreneurs, governmental officials, and prospective local angel investors in order to catalyse the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The "Innovation & Entrepreneurship Development Centre (IEDC)" was inaugurated at Baselios Mathews II College of Engineering, Sasthamcotta on 3rd September, 2014 at 2 PM in the College auditorium by His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan.
"Innovation & Entrepreneurship Development Centre (IEDC)" is a college campus level extension of the Technopark Technology Business Incubator (T-TBI) which is a joint venture of the Govt of Kerala and the Department for Science & Technology, Govt of India. Dr. K. C. Chandrasekharan Nair, Director, Start up village, Kochi delivered the keynote address. The main message of the address was to impart motivation in the minds of the student community regarding the importance of Entrepreneurship development during the college days itself.
The function was presided over by His Grace Zachariah Mar Anthonios Metropolitan. His Grace Yacoob Mar Elias Metropolitan, Administrator Rev Fr Thomas Varghese, Fr Dr George Cheriyan, Dr T A George, Sri A K Thomas, Director Dr F V Albin, Principal Dr E Vasudevan Namboothiri, Vice Principal Prof Oommen Samuel, IEDC Coordinator Prof Manoj Kumar P V and the students and faculty members of the college participated in the meeting.
The signing of MoU with Start Up Village, Cochin Kerala by BMC was held during Feb, 2015. The MoU was signed between our Respected Principal Dr E Vasudevan Namboothiri & the start Up Village Representative Mr Aditya Nair. This process initiated the formation of BMC START UP BOOT CAMP.
24 Colleges across Kerala were selected for funding by the Start Up Village, Cochin. BMC is one among them. This funding was meant for coordinating the activities related to Entrepreneurship. First installment of the fund was credited to the BMC boot camp during April 2015. The second installment is expected soon.
By joining the Boot Camp Initiative, you become part of the nation's largest grass root program for cultural change. You become an agent of change who advocates innovation, entrepreneurship and the soul who 'chose the road less travelled by'. You will be an ambassador of a revolution that shall overthrow the set notions of fruitful employment and success and build an ecosystem where 'Discover & Be Yourself' is the rule of the day. You live by the golden rule "If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door"
Since you will be running the Startup Boot camp in your college, the experiences learnt will be similar to what a young entrepreneur would learn from running a startup. You will imbibe important lessons like how there is always more to learn and trends to stay top of, never missing an opportunity to get trained and keep researching. Since you will be handling the funds of your Boot camp, you will also pick up skills to plan programs months in advance. As part of the Boot camp, we assure you, you will remain learning and doing interesting new things every day. Remember, "There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self".
Columbus did, indeed, insist the world was round and then landed in America trying to find Indians. And, of course, the Wright brothers claimed flying was possible and nearly killed themselves trying to make it happen. But they failed forward and became the fathers of aviation. Failing forward is about leveraging mistakes; making a realistic assessment of risks and using the experiences gained to come out with an innovative approach. Startup Boot camp is a wonderful opportunity for you to break away from the shackles of perfection and understand that innovation is an iterative process of trial and error. We encourage you to fail early, fail safe so that the same mistakes are not repeated, ever. But "When you make the same mistake twice, it is not a mistake but a decision".
Startup Boot camp is not all about entrepreneurship, innovation, self realization and improvement. It is also about giving back to the society in whatever way you can. So if you have the appetite to get your hands dirty in some of the social issues in the community surrounding your college, please feel free to do so. As long as the issue is not communally or politically sensitive and the means are not illegal you can take charge. Be it cleaning the street to lightning up an entire village using solar lamps you are the master of your own destiny and the decider of your own fate. Social problems are everywhere around you. You just need to look at the right place. Startup Boot camp is the opportunity to get your friends together and be reason for someone else's happiness. As the saying goes "Opportunity dances with those already on the dance floor".