Home Minister launches Startup E Plus initiative in Keralam’s Vadakara Lok Sabha constituency

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala flagging off a specially equipped vehicle designed to take the Start up E Plus project to educational institutions across the Vadakara Lok Sabha constituency in Kozhikode district on November 10. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

With the aim of nurturing entrepreneurial skills and promoting innovation among students, the ‘Startup E Plus’ initiative, conceived for the Vadakara Lok Sabha constituency, was launched at the Government Vocational Higher Secondary School, Koyilandy, on Tuesday (November 10).

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala launched the initiative and flagged off a specially equipped start-up vehicle designed to take the programme to educational institutions across the constituency. Vadakara MP Shafi Parambil, who came up with the project, presided over the function.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Chennithala said a technological revolution was taking place across the globe, creating new opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship. Even small ideas, if developed with the help of technology, could grow into successful ventures and major achievements, he said.

He urged students to recognise the potential of simple, everyday ideas and think creatively about turning them into practical solutions. Developing small ideas into larger business ventures could also generate more employment opportunities, he said.

According to the project coordinators, the initiative will be implemented in five phases. In the first phase, start-up clubs will be established in schools and colleges across the constituency. There are plans to extend the programme to leading colleges across Keralam.

The specially designed start-up vehicle will visit educational institutions to identify and collect innovative ideas from students. It will also organise motivational sessions and career guidance programmes to encourage entrepreneurial thinking.

The subsequent phases will include an idea hackathon incorporating student-generated concepts and a start-up conclave aimed at helping participants transform their ideas into viable business ventures.

The final phase will feature an investors’ meeting, organised with the support of the Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode, National Institute of Technology, Calicut, Kerala Startup Mission, and the Industries department. The platform will seek to connect aspiring entrepreneurs with potential investors.

The programme also aims to provide students with mentorship, guidance, and industry exposure by bringing business experts and successful entrepreneurs on board. A dedicated Startup E+ portal has been developed to facilitate the registration of new start-ups and enable students to participate in the initiative.

MLAs K. Praveen Kumar, Fathima Thahiliya, K.K. Rema, and K.M. Abhijith, along with Koyilandy municipality chairperson U.K. Chandran, attended the function. District Police Chief (Kozhikode Rural) Merin Joseph administered an anti-drug pledge to students. Principal K.K. Sudhakaran, headmistress T. Shajitha and PTA president A. Sajeev Kumar were present.

Published - November 10, 2026 07:24 pm IST