Kerala’s start-up ecosystem has witnessed 20 per cent rise in registrations with over 3,500 active ventures across various sectors. This surge in entrepreneurship underscores the State’s emerging reputation as a hub for innovation, Vinod Manjila, Chairman, CII Kerala, has said.

The State was recognised as the best performer in the fourth edition of the States’ Start-up Ranking (2022) by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, maintaining its top performer ranking from the first three editions, he said.

According to him, the start-up ecosystem is rapidly transforming the state’s industrial landscape, paving the way for future industries that will drive economic growth and create substantial employment opportunities, particularly for the educated youth.

On January 16, India marks nine years since the launch of Start-up India. From just 400 start-ups in 2016 to over 1,70,000 recognised start-ups today, this growth highlights the nation’s potential as a global innovation hub. The Start-up India initiative aligns seamlessly with the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047, the Prime Minister’s call to transform India into a developed nation by 2047, CII Chairman said.

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The rise of start-ups has accelerated the digital transformation across industries. With the increasing adoption of digital tools and platforms, Kerala start-ups are playing a pivotal role in building future industries by driving technological innovation, sustainability, and economic diversification. With a focus on sectors like health-tech, agr-itech, fin-tech, edu-tech, and renewable energy, they are transforming traditional industries, creating green technologies, and improving accessibility through digital solutions.

Looking ahead, CII Chairman said the start-up ecosystem in the State is set for even greater growth, supported by the government’s proactive policies aimed at simplifying the regulatory environment and providing more resources. 

CII Kerala has been at the forefront of fostering entrepreneurship and innovation, particularly through its startup panel and various sectoral initiatives, he added.