Manager - Incubation

About Kerala Startup Mission

KSUM is the State Nodal Government Agency that support the startup ecosystem by means of building or connecting different components such as Infrastructure, Incubators and Accelerators, Industry collaboration,R&D connect and Institutional linkages, Skilled Talent creation, Funding, Government Support, International Collaborations, Scaling Existing and Establishing New Incubators/accelerators and build up a model for moving fast from ideas to IPO/Unicorns.

Position Overview

The Manager will provide leadership across incubation and acceleration programmes, drive partnerships, supervise programme teams, and support the development of new sector-focused initiatives that strengthen Kerala’s startup ecosystem.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Provide overall direction and management for KSUM’s incubation, acceleration, and scale-up programmes.
• Lead the planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of programmes (preincubation, incubation, acceleration) and other upcoming cohorts and initiatives.
• Conceptualize and launch new thematic and sector-focused programmes
• Oversee startup onboarding, incubation support, acceleration activities, and scale-up interventions.
• Build and manage strategic collaborations with academic institutions, government agencies, public sector enterprises, and ecosystem stakeholders.
• Facilitate collaboration opportunities for startups with industry, academia, investors, and government departments.
• Anchor the development and strengthening of sector-specific incubators, innovation centres, and Technology Business Incubators (TBIs).
• Identify emerging sectors and opportunities for specialized incubation and innovation support programmes and develop partnerships.
• Supervise and mentor Assistant Managers, Project Coordinators, Project Assistants, Technical Fellows, and other programme staff.
• Develop frameworks for programme monitoring, evaluation, and impact assessment. Prepare reports, progress updates, and recommendations for senior management and governing bodies.

Educational Qualification

• Graduation with minimum 8 years of relevant experience in startup ecosystem, incubation, innovation management, project management, or allied fields; or MBA with minimum 6 years of relevant experience in the above areas.

Experience

• Experience in establishing or managing incubators, innovation centres, Technology Business Incubators or public-private partnership initiatives or experience as a startup founder or senior leader in a startup.

Desirable qualification and experience

• Experience in stakeholder management involving industry, academia, investors, or government bodies
• Experience in managing or overseeing P&L (Profit and Loss) responsibilities, including budgeting, financial planning, resource allocation, and operational cost management.
• Proven experience in managing large-scale programmes, stakeholder engagement, and cross-functional teams shall be considered an added advantage.
• Candidates with a minimum of three (3) years of experience in Government Departments or Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) will be given preference.

Age

• Below 40 years as of 01-06-2026 

Salary and Other perks

• Rs 1,00,000 as consolidated pay and other benefits as per KSUM policy

For more information, please check the link: Manager - Incubation

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