KSUM-backed agri-tech startup bags Startup India award

Trivandrum / January 16, 2026

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan. 16: Kochi-based agri-tech startup Fuselage Innovations, supported by Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), has won Aspire Award at the National Startup Awards 5.0 (NSA) in New Delhi today.

NSA 5.0 is instituted by Startup India of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.

The award was announced on the sidelines of the National Startup Day 2026, where Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi interacted with startup leaders and entrepreneurs. Minister for Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal was present on the occasion. National Startup Day 2026 marks 10 years of the Startup India Initiative.

The Aspire Award recognizes innovative startups from India's Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, celebrating their growth from smaller towns and contributions to local ecosystems. The honour highlights entrepreneurial spirit beyond major metros.

NSA 5.0 recognizes and rewards outstanding startups that have demonstrated exceptional capabilities and have built innovative, scalable, and impactful business solutions. These awards are conferred across 20 categories recognizing the contribution of startup ecosystem stakeholders.

Shri Goyal presented the award to Ms Devika Chandrasekharan, Director, Fuselage Innovations, and Shri Devan Chandrasekharan, MD.

Ms Devika also addressed the audience in the presence of the Prime Minister, Shri Goyal, industry leaders and other prominent startup personalities. 

KSUM CEO Shri Anoop Ambika said the recognition is a significant achievement for Kerala’s robust startup ecosystem, which has showcased the state’s unwavering dedication to nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship.

Shri Anoop added that Fuselage has set a high standard for others to emulate.

Founded in 2020, Fuselage Innovations manufactures Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence & Statistics (DGCI)-certified drones for agriculture, Defence and disaster management activities.

KSUM is the nodal agency for entrepreneurship development and incubation activities in the state.

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