Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is inaugurating ReCode Kerala 2025, a state-level development seminar aimed at shaping strategies and policies, on October 28 at the KINFRA International Convention Center in Kochi. Photo credit: Special arrangement
Kerala has emerged as India’s most startup-friendly state, with its startup ecosystem growing by 254% in the two years from 2021, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said at the launch of ReCode Kerala 2025, a development seminar organized by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology at the KINFRA International Convention Center on a state government initiative in Kochi, on Tuesday23. (October 28).
The state ranks first in Asia in terms of available talent according to the Global Startup Ecosystem Report and has earned the status of a top player in the nation’s 2022 startup rankings.
“When this government assumed office in 2016, there were only 300 startups in the state. Thanks to proactive measures — including a dedicated startup policy, funding mechanisms and a corpus fund — the number has now increased to 6,400,” he said. In the last nine-and-a-half years, start-ups in Kerala have attracted investments worth ₹6,000 crore,” said Mr. Vijayan.
He said Kerala’s IT exports are nearing the ₹1 lakh mark, growing to ₹90,000 crore from ₹34,123 crore in 2016. The built-up IT space has also expanded from ₹155.85 lakh in 2016 to ₹23.85 lakh today. “Kerala is witnessing an unprecedented boom in the IT industry, supported by massive infrastructure and policy initiatives,” he said.
Highlighting the factors driving IT investment in the state, the Chief Minister highlighted the ongoing expansion of the National Highway, airport upgradation, Vizhinjam port development, Power Highway and TransGrid projects to ensure uninterrupted power supply, Gail gas pipeline and nationwide connectivity under the K-FON project. Around 1.5 million people are currently employed in the Technopark, Infopark and Cyberpark, and more than 66,000 new jobs have been created since 2016.
He said the government has introduced several measures to promote IT growth, including the Private Tech Park promotion policy, land leasing options for projects and incentives on property tax, stamp duty and registration fees. “Infrastructure alone cannot drive IT growth; we also need to ensure a skilled workforce. The government is moving ahead with plans to develop 10 million skilled professionals to meet the needs of the industry,” he added.
Industries Minister P. Rajeeve presided over the function. Special Secretary (IT) Seeram Sambasiva Rao IAS presented the Vision 2031 report. The Chief Minister also inaugurated ‘I by Infopark’, a plug-and-play co-working space near Ernakulam South Metro Station, and launched a 5G chip fully developed in Kerala. He handed over the operating license to the first company in the ‘I by Infopark’, Zoho Corporation, to its US CEO Tony Thomas.
As part of the seminar, the Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management-Kerala (IIITM-K) signed MoUs with various IT firms. Kochi Mayor M. Anil Kumar, PV Sreenijin, MLA and Infopark CEO Sushant Kurunthil were among those present.
Published – 28 October 2025 20:45 IST
