It's struggle time for IT startups in Kozhikode

KOZHIKODE: Though the IT industry in Malabar is expanding at a fast pace, startups are struggling to get a foothold in the industry. Though hundreds of new initiatives are being registered by youngsters, many of them struggle to get sufficient space, guidance and an ecosystem. The Government Cyber Park has plans to ensure space for startups but the main building of the Cyber Park is yet to be completed. Bijith Ahammed of Calicut Forum for IT (CafIT) told DC that the ‘Startup Kerala campaign’ was yet to take off in the Malabar region.

“Though some private players have opened some startup centres to try to assist beginners, the region is yet to get sufficient space for young entrepreneurs”, he added. “Many private groups are also coming up with co-working space for Startups.  However, startups are yet to get support from the government sector”, he added.  “Some private players are providing co-working arrangements for beginners”, he said.

CafIT  is organizing various programmes like ‘Start-up 20-20’ to promote young IT talent in campuses  to connect with the industry. Government Cyber Park CEO R Ajith Kumar told DC that efforts were on to ensure sufficient space for Startups in future. “Currently we have 7000 square feet which various companies have already occupied apart from our office”, he said, adding that when the new building of Government Cyber Park would be completed, there would be space for startups. “Space for beginners will not be an issue in future but more than that we should have a credible ecosystem”, he added.