Kerala is on the tipping point of a big social revolution. The youth of the state are eager to pursue their dreams and create their own enterprise rather than move off the beaten track of regular employment. Various social economic and demographic factors add to the paradigm shift and the Government of Kerala has been proactively working on this by creating various programmes to inculcate an entrepreneurship culture in the impending young generations of the state. The years from 2010-2021 have been declared as the “Decade of Innovation” by India. Kerala towards the end of this decade is witnessing a wave of innovative and entrepreneurial efforts from discrete sectors. The startup ecosystem is well equipped to mark the next quantum leap. Every block an entrepreneurial ecosystem needs is in place. Kerala possesses a unique model of connecting Academics, Industries, R&D institutions and Startups, unlike other Startup Ecosystems in the country.
The Government of Kerala initiated the movement through Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) by forging and implementing a forward-looking policy for creating a vibrant startup ecosystem in the state to foster the growth of technology entrepreneurship. Kerala Startup Mission has initiated various steps for setting up a startup ecosystem in the state.
Startups in Kerala are developing solutions in newer and better ways as they experiment with futuristic technologies like never before. Going beyond the conventional software and IT sectors, entrepreneurs from Kerala are being recognised in both national and international forums as they explore new horizons. Kerala has always stood out as one of the most literate and skilled states in India. In, no other states have schools, colleges, incubators, government institutes and startups been so efficiently interlinked. This has created an excellent opportunity for the growth of innovation, investment and entrepreneurship.
At present there are more than 1700 startups registered under Kerala Startup Mission. These startups have created more than 15750 jobs in various sectors.