The two-day Rural Indian Business conclave organised by the Kerala Startup Mission and Central Plantation Crop Research Institute (CPCRI) has been attended by prominent startup founders of India. About 40 prominent personalities addressed the conclave that revolved around the theme ‘how to use technology for the development of rural India.’ It has also been said that digitalisation is important for the survival of traditional industries.
Kasaragod MP Rajmohan Unnithan inaugurated the second edition of the Rural India Business Conclave. At the inauguration, A.N. Nellikkunnu MLA said that it is under consideration to start a technology innovation zone in Kasaragod following the Kochi model.
A 30-hour-long rural agri-tech hackathon was conducted prior to the conclave. The conclave also witnessed sessions explaining possibilities of technology in the agriculture and food production areas, panel discussions on possibilities of rural India, and an exhibition of new products from various startups.
At the conclave, Bengaluru-based incubator Social Alpha pitched for the investment of five Kerala-based startups that produce socially-relevant products.
Popular entrepreneurs talked at the ‘Founders Talk’ and shared their experiences.
KSUM interacted with the scientists of ICAR and CPCRI to strengthen the technology incubation. Another discussion was held on the subject ‘ Financing Startups and Small and Medium Enterprises.’
Dream Big Kalpa, an event that introduced technologies with commercial value developed by the central-state government institutions, was also held as part of the conclave.
Dr Saji Gopinath, Vice-Chancellor, Kerala Digital University, did a talk on the topic ‘Digitalisation for the survival of traditional industries.’ Abhishekh Burman, founder and CEO of Bengaluru General Aeronautics, presented an industrial model to generate local job opportunities.
The conclave was organised jointly by Social Alpha, Startup India, Central University, and LBS Engineering College.
