Keralam to offer 'scale up' support in mission-mode to startups, says CM Satheesan

Keralam is set to offer ‘scale up’ support to startups on a mission-mode, V D Satheesan, Chief Minister, Keralam, has said.

Inaugurating Huddle Global 2026, the three-day annual conference of Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM)  in Kovalam,  Thiruvanthanapuram, on Thursday, Satheesan said the state’s startup ecosystem, which had a modest start over a decade back, has grown into one of India’s most promising by all parameters, having over 9,200 enterprises in various verticals and generating a large number of jobs.

Even as many of the home-grown startups have made it big attracting investment and mentorship, it is important for the ecosystem to focus on scaling up, positioning the state as a global model of technology-driven development, he said.

"The next phase of the journey needs sufficient funding, mentorship and institutional support. The government is deeply committed to provide support to the ecosystem," Sateeshan said.

The government will be setting up a consortium of state agencies like Kerala Financial Corporation (KFC), Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC), and investment banks to ensure that startup received required funds to translate ideas into products and scale them up on global scale, he added.

According to him, the state government’s transformative initiatives like Mission Samudra and Silver Economy could be correlated with the innovation ecosystem, opening plenty of opportunities to startups. The startups will be encouraged to tap into the experience and mentorship of the senior citizens, an initiative that will be coordinated by the State’s newly formed department for senior citizens.

Strengthening world class research institutions, creating an incubation network and strengthening industry-academia linkage are also important in the onward journey, Sateeshan said.

Delivering the key-note address at the opening session, P K Kunhalikutty, Minister for Industries, IT, Future Technology and Startups, said the government’s vision is to develop Keralam into a global destination of investment and entrepreneurship.

The government’s policies are based on a vision to position Keralam as an active participant in global technology revolution with particular focus on emerging technologies including Artificial Intelligence, he said.

"Startups need funding, mentorship and market for accelerating. The Government will be taking all measures to ensure that the startups do not face any constrain due to paucity of funds or mentorship," Kunhalikutty added.

The eighth edition of the flagship startup meet of KSUM is having the participation of more than 4,000 startups, 200 High Net worth Individuals, over 300 startup mentors, more than 200 corporates, 150 plus exhibitors, over 150 investors, and 300 speakers.