Kerala aims to create 100 start-ups with ₹100 crore revenue each
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan announced a shift in strategy to help existing companies scale up and achieve commercial success.
Kerala plans to develop more than 100 start-ups that achieve annual revenues of ₹100 crore each, according to a report by Deccan Chronicle.
Speaking at the inaugural session of Huddle Global 2026, organised by the Kerala Start-up Mission (KSUM), Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said the state will shift its strategy from promoting entrepreneurship to helping existing companies scale up.
Satheesan noted that while the state has built an ecosystem of more than 9,000 start-ups employing over 76,000 people, the strength of an ecosystem should be measured by how many companies succeed.
The government intends to strengthen the ecosystem through increased funding, research and development (R&D) support, incubation facilities, and better access to working capital.
The state plans to establish 10 research and incubation centres focusing on biotechnology, optics, and artificial intelligence (AI). It also aims to raise R&D grants and seed loans to help early-stage companies expand without diluting equity.
Satheesan stated that 14 partner venture funds had invested nearly ₹250 crore in Kerala-based start-ups through the state’s Fund of Funds programme. Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty said the government aims to make Kerala a global investment and entrepreneurship destination.