Daijiworld Media Network – Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 29: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday highlighted the state’s remarkable progress in the startup sector, revealing that over 6,200 startups have emerged in the past nine years, attracting investments worth ?5,800 crore and creating 60,000 job opportunities.
“Kerala is now among the most startup-friendly states in India. It was ranked a top performer in the Startup Ranking 2022 and secured first place in Asia in the Affordable Talent Ranking, as per the Global Startup Ecosystem Report. Between 2021 and 2023, the state’s startup ecosystem grew by 254%, significantly outpacing the global average of 46%. This success is driven by the government’s proactive initiatives,” Vijayan stated.
The Chief Minister made these remarks while inaugurating ‘Permute 2025’, one of India’s largest skilling festivals, organized by GTECH MuLearn to position Kerala as the nation’s leading talent hub for the knowledge industry.
Vijayan emphasised the role of MuLearn, a digital platform developed by the Group of Technology Companies (GTECH), in mentoring students and bridging industry-academia gaps. The initiative, in collaboration with the government, is expected to contribute significantly to Kerala’s growing reputation as a talent hub.
With over 250 member companies employing 80% of Kerala’s tech workforce, GTECH plays a crucial role in driving innovation in the state. Vijayan also announced plans to develop a deeptech ecosystem, further strengthening Kerala’s position in the global startup landscape.
GTECH Chairman V.K. Mathews, speaking at the event, stressed the importance of ‘Permute 2025’ in creating a robust talent pool for the state’s rapidly growing IT and ITeS sectors. He highlighted MuLearn’s contribution in addressing the skill gap and enhancing industry readiness among students.
Mathews also provided insights into global tech trends, noting that the industry grew to $5.2 trillion last year and is projected to expand by 10% this year, reaching $5.9 trillion. India’s IT sector alone is expected to grow to $282 billion this year and touch $300 billion in 2025.
However, he cautioned about challenges posed by deglobalisation trends and the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Citing a McKinsey report, he pointed out that Generative AI is expected to contribute 4% of the world’s GDP, impacting key sectors such as customer interactions, sales and marketing, R&D, and software engineering.
Kerala’s strategic initiatives, government support, and industry-driven interventions continue to position it as one of India’s leading startup ecosystems, fostering innovation, talent, and economic growth.