Keralam to set up 10 research-driven incubators, nurture 100 high-revenue startups: CM Satheesan

Thiruvananthapuram Chief Minister V D Satheesan announced a strategic shift in Kerala's startup ecosystem on Thursday, moving from focusing on quantity to quality, in an effort to build globally successful enterprises. Speaking after the inauguration of Huddle Global 2026, a beachside startup festival at Kovalam, the CM highlighted the state's startup growth, which now numbers over 9,200 businesses generating more than 76,000 jobs since the introduction of the Technology Startup Policy in 2014.

Satheesan emphasized the government's ambition to nurture more than 100 high-revenue startups with annual revenues exceeding ₹100 crore by establishing 10 research-driven incubators through the Translational Research and Innovation Centre-Kerala. The government plans to bolster startup funding, innovation grants, research and development support, and seed financing, as well as introduce new debt-financing instruments via the Kerala Financial Corporation, Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation, and banking partners.

The CM stressed the importance of empowering young innovators through Gozip, the flagship GenZ Innovation programme, and district-level innovation clusters and builder residencies. Satheesan pledged to support startups in sectors such as underwater robotics, semiconductor design, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and maritime innovation, stating that Kerala has the talent to create global technologies.

He concluded by expressing the state's determination to leverage Vizhinjam's new global market access to take Kerala's innovation, talent, and enterprises to a global stage.