Experts suggest a new roadmap for KSUM at Huddle Global 2025

Trivandrum / December 12, 2025

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec. 12: Noting that Kerala’s startup ecosystem was ramped up by government policies over the years, experts at Huddle Global 2025 today suggested that Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) should now adopt a ‘Kerala Model’ with a judicious mix of MSME and unicorn startups.

They were sharing their views on ‘From Mission to Momentum: The Evolution of Kerala’s Startup Ecosystem and Way Forward’ at a session on the opening day of the three-day 7th edition of India’s largest beachside startup festival Huddle Global 2025, organised by KSUM at Kovalam, near here.

Unlike other states, Kerala’s startup ecosystem lacked support from industry and it has survived due to the immaculate policies taken by the governments in the last 10-15 years, they pointed out.  

Mr M Sivasankar, former Principal Secretary to Kerala CM, said there is an imperative need to have a mix of MSME and unicorn startups in the state.

KSUM can focus on identifying 100 startups that can attain Rs 100 crore in the next two years. Also, it can identify 10 startups that can get into IPO in the next two years, he suggested. 

“I have not come across a single startup which has been given any funding by any bank. Venture capital and investment working capital funding have a mechanism. But banks want startups to become MSMEs and then they will fund them in the traditional way. The government and KSUM need to work on that area,” Mr Sivasankar pointed out.

He also suggested leveraging alumni networks and making them partners to the ecosystem.  

Commenting on the way forward, Dr Saji Gopinath, a faculty at IIM Kozhikode & former VC of Kerala University of Digital Sciences, said there should be clarity on adoption of the MSME or startup route and KSUM should adopt policies aligned to that.

According to Mr Tapan Rayaguru, Analytics Leader, startups should not rely on government for grants.

Dr Jayasankar Prasad, Director, Centre for Management Development, opined that going forward, KSUM should be an autonomous body instead of being an extension of a department and the employees who have been working for the last 10 years need to be made permanent.

Mr P H Kurian, former Chairman, Kerala Real Estate Regulatory Authority, said startups can be taken to exhibitions abroad which would help them build networks to expand their market. Besides, it will give them courage to pitch products. 

He also suggested that KSUM should focus on having a dedicated mentoring person for startups. 

Mr Anoop Ambika, CEO, KSUM, was the moderator. 

Ends