By Finance Minister presents ‘‘Vision 2031 – What is in store for Kerala’s Knowledge Economy’’ at three-day event
India’s largest beachside startup festival Huddle Global 2025, organised by Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), got underway at Kovalam, near here, showcasing the exciting journey of the country’s startup ecosystem with Kerala as the domain pivot.
The 7th edition of the three-day event at The Leela Kovalam hotel is packed with insightful debates, expo of innovative products and an all-India hackathon with attractive prizes up for grab, besides opening vast opportunities for startups, including funding and mentor support.
Addressing the opening session of the event on ‘Vision 2031 – What is in store for Kerala’s Knowledge Economy,’ Finance Minister Shri KN Balagopal said the global landscape is transforming with rapid digitalisation through domains like AI, automation and shipping supply chains, and Kerala has embraced several key steps to accelerate the state progress with the next phase.
“The Vizhinjam-Kollam-Punalur triangle is emerging as one of the most strategic development zones combining port growth, industrial capacity and inland connectivity. With the Vizhinjam Port as its gateway, southern Kerala and Tamil Nadu as a manufacturing and maritime services hub, and the engineering and agro industrial centre in the Punalur-Tenkasi belt, the triangle offers unmatched potential for logistics, electronics, food processing and clean tech industries,” he noted.
Shri Balagopal said the digital and science parks have been designed to bring global technology companies, advanced research labs and leading universities focusing on AI, robotics, semiconductor technologies, food technologies, optics and digital engineering.
He also informed that the government is recapitalising Kerala Financial Corporation (KFC) to strengthen the KSUM’s grant and seed funding programme along with fund-of-fund to attract private venture capital. Besides, the government is facilitating to set up private seed fund to help scaling of growing startups.
On the occasion, Shri Balagopal unveiled a book, titled ‘Incubators, Accelerators and Startups,’ written by startup founder K C Chandrasekharan Nair. The Minister also honoured animation pioneer and winner of Annecy International Animation Festival Award, known as ‘Oscar of Animation, Mr Suresh Eriyat, in the presence of Mr P Jayakumar, CEO, Toonz Animation, Technopark.
Delivering a talk on ‘Actions Speak Louder than Words: Report on Startup Ecosystem,’ Shri Seeram Sambasiva Rao, Special Secretary (Electronics & IT), Govt. of Kerala, said Kerala’s evolving talent strength, with deep expertise in domains like AI, inter-sciences and finance, combined broad skills in engineering, data and cybersecurity.
“We are creating a unique high-performing workforce that gives industry partners strong retention and consistent innovation,” he added.
Shri Rao said apart from an attrition rate of 8-10 percent, affordability of talent, quality of life and cost of space make Kerala nearly 40-65 percent more cost-effective for long-term capability building.
Stressing that creation of high quality employment is the most important policy imperative of the government, he said the state is focusing on promotion of responsible investment and technology sector with the objective of creating high quality space that outpace demand.
Noting that there are around 60,000 students from India in Germany, Dr Philipp Ackermann, German Ambassador to India & Bhutan, in his address on ‘Innovation Without Borders: Building the India–Germany Partnership for Global Impact,’ said any innovative partnership must be beyond borders and startups from India and Germany can establish strong collaboration in various domains of technology.
Speaking on ‘Entrepreneurs and Bureaucrats Huddling Together for a Better Tomorrow’, Shri Anoop Ambika, CEO, KSUM, urged startups and entrepreneurs to leverage the Huddle Global platform for significant takeaways through deliberations and meetings.
Shri Sridhar Vembu, Founder, Zoho Corporation, in his speech on ‘Prosperity with Purpose Why Kerala must Build Domestic Wealth to build its Future,’ said the single biggest advantage that Kerala offers is the depth of talent pool and quality of life.
He remarked that copying Silicon Valley model won’t work in all places and a strong long-term focus on R&D by approaching talent in the right way is needed to taste success.
More than 3,000 startups, 200-plus HNIs (High Networth Individuals), 100-plus mentors, corporate, exhibitors and 150 speakers are attending Huddle Global 2025, where startups will also launch their products and solutions.
The expo of the December 12-14 event showcases the Next-Gen innovations and technology that can boost Kerala’s transformation into a knowledge-based industry hub. It features a stunning array of transformative solutions and products from across India and beyond, including ground-breaking products and services from EduTech, HealthTech, FinTech, Life Sciences, SpaceTech, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Blockchain, Robotics, AR/VR, IoT, GreenTech, and e-Governance.
Humanoid robots, autonomous drones, sustainable energy solutions, biomedical devices, and smart city innovations designed to address pressing global challenges are on display at the expo.
Huddle Global 2025 is focusing on startup funding, business and technology, besides identifying novel business models and raising capitals for startups. The panel sessions and discussions will highlight the immense opportunities emerging from global technologies for startups.
