Kerala government is ready to make another breakthrough in the satellite/space technology sector by starting a ‘space park’, which will incubate and promote startups in the sector, as per reports by The New Indian Express.
The state government would be joining hands with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to set up the required technical support.
What is the latest plan?
Startups in space technology, like that of software, are mushrooming fast. But the space park will be the first of its kind in the country.
“There’re a number of space technology startups in India, most of them based in Bengaluru. If government support is provided, they can flourish into major business establishments in the future. CM Pinarayi Vijayan had discussed starting a space park in Kerala with the ISRO and they’ve promised to provide technical support to the project,”
a Kerala government official reportedly said.
M Sivasankar, Secretary to Government, Electronics and IT Department, Kerala, said that it is a time taking scheme and would require a lot of work to be completed.
“Hundreds of officers retire from the ISRO every year. Similarly, hundreds of graduates pass out from premier centres like Indian Institute of Space Technology. If we create a platform to tap the knowledge potential of these two groups, it can lead to a major contribution to space technology,”
said Sivasankar.
It was during a meeting of the Chief Minister with top ISRO officers a few months ago, that the idea for a space park was mooted.
The land for the space park has been identified and planning is going on regarding its infrastructure development and functioning.
Other initiatives by Kerala government
The Kerala government has made great headways through its Startup Village and Maker Village. They are considered as a model by other states.
Startup Village is a not-for-profit business incubator based in Kochi, Kerala, India, started in April 2012. On January 1, 2016, Kerala Startup Mission took over the physical space of the iconic Startup Village at Hi-Tech Park in Kalamassery.
The organization aimed to launch 1,000 technology startups over the next ten years and start the search for the next billion-dollar Indian company. It focuses primarily on student startups and telecom innovation. It is India’s first incubator that is funded jointly by the public and private sectors. Startup Village has already incubated over 500 startups in Kerala.
The Maker Village was started with the support of the government. It is the most advanced incubation center for hardware startups in India and they operate from Kochi.
