Huddle Global 2025 to Showcase Kerala as Global Tech Destination

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
The seventh edition of Huddle Global, India’s biggest beachside startup festival, will showcase Kerala as a highly promising global technology destination, powered by its robust innovation zone.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the prestigious three-day startup event at The Leela Kovalam, a Raviz Hotel, Kovalam on December 11, Seeram Sambasiva Rao, Special Secretary (Electronics & IT) and Chairman, KSITM, told a press conference here today.

KSUM CEO Anoop Ambika was also present on the occasion.

Organized by Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), Huddle Global 2025 will see convergence of startups, investors, innovators, policymakers, and visionaries from India and abroad.

Rao said Huddle Global 2025 will project the potential of the state as one of the highly promising global technology destinations, which coalesces the cutting-edge technologies and innovations of the vibrant ecosystem.

“The event will be a good opportunity for startups to showcase their innovative products and raise capital for their ventures. We are targeting Rs 100 crore-worth investments for startups through the event,” he said.

Noting that there are 7,000 registered startups in the ecosystem, Shri Rao said currently, more focus is being given to increase the number of deeptech and high value startups in the state.

“There are plans to run high quality accelerators like Emerging technology Hub in state capital and the Innovation Hub in Kochi through industry collaboration. Besides, we have to increase the volume of KSUM’s Fund of Funds scheme. So, we are also mulling to launch the concept of Feeder Fund,” he informed. Rao said these two initiatives will be given prominence in Huddle Global 2025.

“The conclave will have focused segments like company-startup connect, GCC roundtable and GCC innovation bridge. More than 5,000 visitors, over 200 speakers, 150-plus investors, 300 HNIs (High Networth Individuals), 100-plus exhibitors and 3,000 startups from India and abroad will attend the conclave, he explained.

Rao said the flagship seaside conclave will be a model startup festival for the country and it will see convergence of startup founders, investors, industry leaders and policy makers, sharing ideas and perspectives on a range of riveting ideas and topics.

Holding that the event has the potential to grab global attention as an iconic innovation summit, Shri Anoop said Huddle Global 2025 will serve as a dynamic platform for startups to showcase their unique products, raise capital, find strategic partners, and receive mentorship from some of the most accomplished names in the industry.

Anoop added that the event will highlight the immense possibilities in domains like space technology, food and agriculture, healthcare and life sciences and new energy in the state.

Ashok Kurian Panjikkaran, Senior Manager, KSUM and Ashitha, Assistant Manager, Public Relations, were also present at the press meet.

The event will have several thematic parallel tracks focusing on key areas of the startup ecosystem. The Emerging Technology Zone will feature groundbreaking startups, top student projects, upfront research, and interactive demos, providing a comprehensive view of state-of-the-art technological innovations.

The Sustainability Zone will showcase initiatives aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Funding Mania will have sessions like Money Matters for financial insights, Investors Speed Dating for rapid connections, and Cheque Mate for sealing commitments. There will be exclusive networking spaces like Seed by the Sea and Angel Island, along with inspiring Tidal Talks and growth-focused Sands of Scale.

Other parallel tracks are Marketing Madness, Business Sphere, Huddle Speed Dating, Deeptech Zone, Beyond Borders, Gen AI Workshop, Women Zone, Close the Deal and M.I.N.D ( Mentor Inspired Networking on Demand), which is KSUM’s flagship one-on-one mentorship programme.

The event has also lined up pitch competitions, startup expos, investor meets, corporate challenges, fireside chats, masterclasses, and curated networking experiences — all designed to accelerate entrepreneurial growth and cross-border collaborations.

Previous editions of Huddle Global have yielded successful partnerships with international firms, investors, and government agencies. Notably, they facilitated tie-ups with Belgium and Australia.

The festival will spotlight futuristic sectors, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Fintech, Blockchain, Healthtech, Life Sciences, Augmented/Virtual Reality, Spacetech, e-Governance, and Internet of Things (IoT). Startups in these sectors will exhibit breakthrough ideas and gain opportunities for real-time investor feedback, pilot funding and global market exposure.

Speakers will shed light on the global business and technology landscape.

The expo at Huddle Global will feature a stunning array of transformative solutions and products from across India and beyond, including groundbreaking products and services from EduTech, HealthTech, FinTech, Life Sciences, SpaceTech, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Blockchain, Robotics, AR/VR, IoT, GreenTech, and e-Governance.

Humanoid robots, autonomous drones, sustainable energy solutions, biomedical devices, and smart city innovations designed to address pressing global challenges will be on display at the expo.

Alongside startups, government R&D institutions and incubation centres will showcase their latest developments in areas like agro-processing, marine technology, and value-added products.

As the nodal agency of the Kerala Government for entrepreneurship development and incubation activities in the state, KSUM has been organising ‘Huddle Kerala’ since 2018.

For registration: www.huddleglobal.co.in