The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode’s business incubator, Laboratory for Innovation Venturing and Entrepreneurship (IIMK LIVE), in collaboration with the Kudumbashree Mission, Government of Kerala, launched a landmark initiative titled ‘SmartShree’ here today at the IIMK campus. This pioneering program aims to support and scale 150 micro-enterprise units led by Kudumbashree women entrepreneurs across the state through structured capacity building, intensive mentorship, and institutional backing.
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The inauguration ceremony was graced by Mr. Snehil Kumar Singh, IAS, District Collector of Kozhikode, as the Chief Guest, alongside Prof. Ashutosh Sarkar, Executive Director, IIMK LIVE, and Smt. P.C. Kavitha, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree.
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Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Singh emphasized Kerala’s unique standing as a welfare state and urged that it must now also lead by becoming a model entrepreneurial economy. He remarked, “Innovation is the need of the hour. We must move towards wealth creation through job creation. Initiatives like SmartShree are crucial for growing bigger and better through entrepreneurship.”
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‘SmartShree’ represents a transformative collaboration between IIMK LIVE’s robust entrepreneurial ecosystem and Kudumbashree’s extensive grassroots network. The initiative is designed to catalyze sustainable growth, enhance local livelihoods, and foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among women in Kerala.
Prof. Debashis Chatterjee, Director, IIM Kozhikode & Chairman, IIMK LIVE, announced the launch with a powerful message: “Empowering women at the grassroots is not just economic reform—it is a societal transformation. SmartShree is an expression of IIM Kozhikode’s mission to democratize entrepreneurship and create a more inclusive future. We are proud to be part of this journey.”
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Units selected for the SmartShree program went through a rigorous multi-stage evaluation process. The selection panel comprised experts from IIMK LIVE, IIM Kozhikode faculty, Kudumbashree representatives, and experienced industry professionals, ensuring a well-rounded assessment focused on entrepreneurial potential and social impact. The selected enterprises span diverse sectors, including manufacturing, services, and food processing.Prof. Ashutosh Sarkar, Executive Director of IIMK LIVE, elaborated on the program’s strategic importance: “SmartShree reflects IIM Kozhikode’s focus on inclusive entrepreneurship. By equipping women at the grassroots with tools, knowledge, and market access, we are creating pathways for resilient and sustainable local economies. This initiative is central to our commitment to capacity building and social innovation.”
Smt. P.C. Kavitha, District Mission Coordinator – Kudumbashree, highlighted the evolving role of Kudumbashree units in Kerala’s local economy and urged participants to leverage the comprehensive support offered by IIMK LIVE. She stated, “Scaling these enterprises is essential. The mentorship and training under SmartShree offer a unique opportunity. I encourage every unit to participate with full commitment to reach their next level of success.”
Under the SmartShree initiative, IIMK LIVE will provide selected entrepreneurs with a structured incubation program that includes:
- In-depth enterprise diagnostics
- Customized business mentoring
- Practical capacity-building workshops
- Focused market linkage facilitation
This comprehensive support aims to boost operational efficiency, profitability, and local employment generation within their communities.
SmartShree is a vital step toward economic empowerment, women-led development, and inclusive growth. It reinforces IIM Kozhikode’s commitment to creating impactful social change through innovation, education, and entrepreneurship.
About Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode : The fifth IIM to be established by Govt. of India in 1996, IIMK started its academic journey in 1997 with its flagship Postgraduate Program (PGP). The Institute is on a high growth trajectory today, offering widest range of academic programs in the field of management education. These include Doctoral Programme in Management (PhD), Executive PG Programmes, Management Development Programmes and Faculty Development Programs. IIMK set up a Satellite campus at Infopark, Kochi, in 2013 dedicated to Executive Education. IIMK has also the unique distinction of launching a PhD (Practice Track) programme for working professionals besides bringing in new dynamic courses like one-year Post Graduate programme in Business Leadership (2019) MBA in Finance and MBA in Liberal Studies & Management (2020). The institute is also home to IIMK LIVE a first-of-its-kind startup incubation programme, the Indian Business Museum and six other Centres of Excellences encompassing diverse areas. IIMK is ranked 3rd as per NIRF India Rankings 2024: Management. The institute also made its global debut for its flagship MBA and EMBA programme in the 2020/21 QS World University Rankings. In 2023, IIM Kozhikode also broke into Top-100 in Financial Times Ranking for Masters in Management (MBA) and gained 9 spots in 2024 to reach global #68. The Institute also attained global rank #70 in the FT Open Enrollment Programme for 2024. The Institute is globally accredited by EQUIS (EFMD) and AMBA (UK). Submitted by IIM Kozhikode PR Team
