Kerala a Jewel in India’s Startup Crown: Tharoor at Huddle Global 2024

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Kerala’s startup ecosystem has become a glittering jewel in the crown of India’s fast-growing startup landscape by demonstrating its prowess in innovation, inventiveness, sustainability and inclusiveness, Dr Shashi Tharoor MP said here.

Dr Tharoor, the four-time member in the Lok Sabha from Thiruvananthapuram, was delivering the key-note address at the Huddle Global 2024, India’s flagship startup conclave, on its third and concluding day on Saturday at Kovalam here.

Dr Tharoor, an eminent writer, former diplomat and thought leader, titled his address as “The elephant that is becoming a tiger: India’s Startup Ecosystem and tech entrepreneurship”, an obvious reference to his book “The Elephant, the Tiger & the Cellphone.”

While hailing the achievements of Kerala’s startup ecosystem, Dr Tharoor said the state needs to further streamline regulatory compliances and procedures to enable the aspirational entrepreneurs to start enterprises, attract capital and grow faster.

“We need to simplify and streamline regulatory compliances and procedures by dismantling the oppressive red-tape, Dr Tharoor said.

Tracing the evolution of Indian startup ecosystem, Dr Tharoor told the packed audience this was the time to think about making a single imaginative leap to add greater momentum to what has been achieved.

In its onward journey, it is important for Indian startup ecosystem to see that the surge in economic aspirations of young innovators and entrepreneurs is nurtured in a sustainable and inclusive fashion, he said.

The elephant is becoming a tiger as startups symbolize industriousness, innovation and inventiveness, playing a vital role in the remarkable transformation of the country, Dr Tharoor said.

When it comes to Kerala’s startup ecosystem, there are lot of reasons to be bullish about, considering its vibrancy and resonance with venture capital providers, across the verticals, he said.

The startups in Kerala have also been successful in translating ideas into solutions that address everyday problems, Dr Tharoor said.

While coming out with novel and ingenious solutions, the startups have also shown that everything is reusable and re-imaginable, he said.

Noting that surge of entrepreneurial culture also help turning India from a country of job-seekers to a job creating economy, though it is a paradox that increasing unemployment has sharpened the youth’s entrepreneurial spirit, he said.

Patting Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) for positioning its flagship startup festival into a major event that brings together the entire spectrum of stakeholders, Dr Tharoor said “it is amazing” that lot of products from robots, home automation and medical technology from the startups are on display at the event.

The three-day event, which began on Thursday, is packed with absorbing presentations and conversations, besides launch of a wide range of tech-driven products from startups.