Latest news with #FreedomSquares
Time of India
29-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Freedom Squares to be set up across Kerala to encourage entrepreneurship among students
T'puram: 'Freedom Squares' are being established across the state to enable students from various fields to share knowledge, collaborate on projects and realise entrepreneurial ideas. These high-tech hubs will be set up in all 14 districts, inspired by the design of Apple Inc's office in California, USA. Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) aims to foster a culture that encourages entrepreneurship and idea generation without disrupting students' education by thinking beyond traditional methods. The first Freedom Square will be set up near the Technocity campus in Thiruvananthapuram on an area of 2 acres. Each square will cover an area of 20,000 square feet, with a base cost of approximately Rs 4 crore. Efforts are being made to gather operational capital and additional funding through private partnerships. Architects, students, designers and engineering students from each district will collaborate to design the Freedom Squares. These spaces will provide students with advanced facilities for mentoring and pitching, along with enhanced learning opportunities through tinker labs, maker spaces and experiment stations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo There will also be provisions for joint research, hackathons, workshops and industry partnerships. The spaces will be made barrier-free to ensure the participation of people with disabilities. The Freedom Squares are expected to be the first of their kind initiative in the country aimed at empowering students for social change by opening new avenues for learning and entrepreneurship. They will play a crucial role in harnessing the potential of the youth for the benefit of the state and serve as a meeting place for like-minded individuals. These high-tech hubs will open doors to opportunities for students and young entrepreneurs to share ideas, collaborate, work continuously, and attract investment, said KSUM authorities in a statement issued here.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Govt to launch ‘Freedom Square' at IT park Phase IV
T'puram: In a major push to promote innovation and youth entrepreneurship , Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), in collaboration with department of tourism, is all set to roll out the first-of-its-kind ' Freedom Square ' project at Technopark Phase IV in Pallippuram. The project is designed to become a vibrant, round-the-clock co-creation hub for students, startups, investors and industry leaders. According to KSUM, the project will become a reality in the current financial year. The inaugural facility is set to come up on five acres of land owned by tourism department, located near Digital University of Kerala. It will be an open space with a building so that they can spend a whole day and night with events and recreation. According to Ashok Kurian Panjikkaran, business head, KSUM, Freedom Squares are not just buildings; they are movements. "We want to give young minds a space where they can brainstorm freely, build on ideas and engage directly with mentors, corporate leaders and investors. This initiative ties in with our mission to transform Kerala into a knowledge society. We hope to start the first such facility in Technopark Phase-IV before March 2026," he said. The centre will be open 24/7 and include coworking spaces, meeting rooms, dormitories, recreational areas and high-speed internet connectivity. It will also act as a nodal centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centres that function in various educational institutions across Kerala. Tourism department's involvement is intended to add cultural and aesthetic value to the space while encouraging community participation and social innovation. Tourism features include a VR-powered experience zone, amphitheatre, gaming arenas, and cultural integration spaces showcasing Kerala's heritage. Wellness facilities, including a mini hospital and meditation areas, will further enhance the visitor experience.
