Kovalam: Kerala aims to develop at least 100 startups with an annual turnover of more than Rs 100 crore each as part of its push to become a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Inaugurating the eighth edition of Huddle Global 2026 in Kovalam, the chief minister said the state had more than 9,200 startups, generating over 76,000 jobs.
He said the Technology Startup Policy introduced in 2014 during former chief minister Oommen Chandy’s tenure had laid the foundation for the state’s startup ecosystem. The focus would now shift from increasing the number of startups to improving their quality and global reach.
The government plans to establish 10 world-class research incubators through the Kerala Startup Mission, alongside grants, seed funding, R&D support and expanded credit facilities.
Under the ‘GoGip’ (Go Global, Innovate and Prosper) programme, district-level innovation centres will be set up to nurture young entrepreneurs.
Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, semiconductor design and marine technology will be among the priority sectors. The chief minister said Kerala’s young entrepreneurs could develop globally competitive technologies without having to leave the state.
