Kerala Startup Mission partners with Brinc for hardware, IoT accelerator programme

Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) has partnered with Brinc, a Hong Kong-based hardware accelerator, to support hardware startups working across sectors like Internet of things (IoT), robotics and consumer electronics. 

The programme is in line with KSUM’s mission of building the best deep tech ecosystem in the country, an official statement said.

"The programme will provide comprehensive support to mid-stage startups that already have a working prototype and are ready to move their design for manufacturing (DFM) phase," said Manav Gupta, chief executive officer of Brinc.

The Brinc accelerator programme will be investing in teams across three gates. The selected teams will receive $250,000 (about Rs 1.76 crore) in investment and additional support services to develop their DFM products and bring their businesses to market. 

The selected startups will have access to state-of-the-art labs at Kochi’s Integrated Startup Complex, which was launched in January 2019. The facility claims to be providing top-quality infrastructure for incubation and acceleration for the state’s startups.

“Kerala is trying to create an exclusive hardware startup ecosystem in the state and it is necessary to create accelerators who provide product-market linkage, early market connect and access to venture funds,” said Saji Gopinath, chief executive officer of Kerala Startup Mission.

The new initiative with Brinc will make the state one of the best startup destinations in the country, he added.