Calicut forum of IT (CafIT), a nonprofit umbrella of IT companies in Kozhikode recently launched "CafIT Square", an innovation zone at HiLITE Business Park.
This venture, a first of its kind in the region is a cluster of IT companies at Kozhikode (Kerala) keen to explore new business ventures in the areas of Mobility, Social Media, eCommerce, Analytics and Cloud Computing. In the first phase, more than 10 companies have committed to build world class products or provide services around open source business frameworks. Spread over 30,000 sq. ft., the innovation zone has the potential to provide employment to over 600 technical and management stream graduates from the Malabar region.
A few senior professionals from Bangalore and neighboring cities are returning back home to help see this venture through. Efforts are also on to get participation and support from the Govt. of Kerala, NASSCOM, National Innovation Council, MSME etc.
CafIT has played a major role in shaping the IT culture at Kozhikode by bringing small companies together and providing guidance and support in entrepreneurship. Member companies have customers in over 25 countries, providing out-of-the-box solutions and some have offices in various locations in India and abroad.
In the second phase of the project, there are plans to setup a captive finishing school and a business boot camp to help startups move in the right direction - from building viable business models to managing money with prudence. The CafIT square group consists mostly of first generation entrepreneurs -both young and experienced.
For example Radhakrishnan KG, who was already running a successful Digital Marketing company WebNamaste, in Bangalore, says “The decision to come back to Kozhikode wasn't an easy one to make. I had my apprehensions on the availability of talent, the government procedures, the systems and more importantly, a supportive ecosystem that would enable me set up a small IT business in Kozhikode. It wasn't until I met the CafIT members that I felt confident about moving back to my hometown and continuing my venture. It has been one of the best decisions of my life. Coming back home and being able to do business globally has been a rewarding experience so far. We are fortunate to be able to give back to society, creating employment opportunities and raise the bar for professional standards in Kozhikode. We're getting ready for yet another milestone - moving into a world class workplace that encourages “creativity and innovation at work"
Hasanul Banna, a graduate from GEC Idukki runs Sparrow Solutions and now intends to open a social media research center out of the building.
Haris NP runs Baabtra, a training startup at Kozhikode after working for an MNC for 2 years. He is a student of National Institute of Technology, Allahabad and is excited about this new venture. Haris is passionate about starting a finishing school to bridge the gap. "When I was in NIT Allahabad, it was my dream to go to America as a software engineer. So I joined an MNC and went to America in 2008. Even though I had all the facilities and a job that I enjoyed, I realised that my impact on society was minimum and I should do something in my hometown which would help grow local businesses and there by impact society. Many of my friends and colleagues suggested me work abroad or at least in Bangalore, but I had a strong feeling that I should return home and help IT spread to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
Suhail VP is an alumni of NIT Calicut and heads NuCore Software Solutions, a successful product company catering to the travel industry, with 200+ clients in Middle East and North Africa. He is excited about using the innovation zone as an opportunity to grow and think differently from existing ventures.
Ajay C Thomas, CEO of Sweans, is a first generation entrepreneur like all others, who runs successful business process companies out of KINFRA Park Kozhikode and Techno Park Trivandrum. His vision is to build a non-linear business model around eCommerce.
Duleep Sahadevan, Founder of Software Associate, is an industry veteran has been running a product and services company out of Kozhikode for more than 2 decades now. He says "Giving back to society is an integral part of being an entrepreneur, and Kozhikode, with its quality of life, people and location can become one of the finest places to work and live in India today"
There are now compelling reasons for startup entrepreneurs to seriously look at Kozhikode. It is one of the best places to live in India from a quality of life perspective and offers world-class facilities and access to talent at a fraction of Tier 1 cities.
Alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode, National Institute of Technology etc. are active participants in this social entrepreneurship venture.
About HiLITE Business Park:
HiLITE Business Park, a part of the 32,00,000 sq. ft. HiLITE City at Calicut is one-of-a-kind office complex with world-class infrastructure, set amid 16 acres of lush and verdant surroundings. Convenience and luxury meet at HiLITE Business Park. Among the first in Kerala to provide a business park that accommodates both IT (Non SEZ) and non IT sectors. Gone are the days when futuristic office spaces and state-of-the-art facilities are seen only in IT parks and their offices.
With HiLITE Business Park, business takes on a new definition. The Business Park boasts of thirteen-storied towers with more than hundred office spaces ranging from 1125 sq. ft. to 19,000 sq. ft along with facility management and coffee shops. The towers are aesthetically designed in an 'S' shape that provides an excellent view from all angles. Its spectacular architecture and breathtaking interior features will leave you spell-bound from the moment you step in. With an impressive five tiered car park and a redefined workplace that ensures maximum ventilation. From being fully centralized air conditioned to having a business center, 250+ seats multipurpose hall and board rooms, HiLITE Business Park has it all. It is an all-encompassing destination for all businesses and offices.
About CafIT:
CafIT – Calicut forum for IT is a nonprofit organisation formed by the IT professionals of Calicut to bring the IT companies under a single umbrella and to promote the city as a viable destination for IT and IT enabled services. The members consists of established software houses from the city, Kinfra IT park and Technology Business Incubator (NITC).
Members of CafIT have been involved in IT services from the early 90′s and caters to a global clientele. CafIT is proud of the “made in Calicut” products and services being used by global companies such as Oman Air, ONGC, O2, Espirit, Duke’s etc. CafIT is a member of cITi, Calicut IT initiatives group.
We have observed that Indian travellers have started planning their international trips much ahead in time. These promotions help travellers plan their travel well in advance to bag the best deals at unbelievable prices. Keeping that in mind, the sale will be available on Expedia for travel period from 1st October 2014 to 15th January 2015. Travellers can travel to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Macau, Sydney, Melbourne, Osaka, Chengdu, Hangzhou and many other exciting destinations. In order to use these promotional fares on AirAsia, they will have to purchase holiday as a package (flights + hotel).
