T’puram: Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) launched BRIDGE, a first-of-its-kind corporate-startup convergence programme aimed at enabling large corporates and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to adopt, invest in and acquire innovative technologies developed by startups.Applications have opened for the first cohort of BRIDGE, which stands for Business Revolution through Innovation, Digital Growth & Enterprise. The programme is open to corporates and SMEs with annual revenues of Rs 50 crore and above.According to KSUM, the initiative seeks to bridge the gap between India’s thriving startup ecosystem and established industries by creating a structured platform for technology adoption, strategic partnerships and business growth.KSUM chief executive officer Anoop Ambika said BRIDGE will provide a defined pathway for collaboration between startups and established enterprises through measurable outcomes, fixed timelines and end-to-end partnership support.“By bringing together innovation and industry, BRIDGE aims to enable enterprises to access emerging technologies while helping startups scale through market opportunities,” he said.Over the next three years, the programme aims to facilitate more than 500 corporate-startup partnerships, enable over 100 technology adoptions and catalyze more than Rs 250 crore in corporate investments into curated technology-driven startups.Participating businesses will have opportunities to adopt startup-built technologies, invest in promising ventures, acquire startups or technologies aligned with their sectors, and accelerate innovation without building extensive in-house research and development capabilities.The programme will focus on sectors including manufacturing, logistics, retail, BFSI, healthcare, agri-tech, professional services and other technology-driven industries. It will feature demo days, pilot frameworks, AI-assisted investment matchmaking, transaction support for partnerships and acquisitions, and networking opportunities with corporate and SME leaders.Applications can be submitted through the BRIDGE portal, by email at ksumcr@startupmission.in, or by contacting 8047180470.
