Kerala Startup Mission Launches ‘Thirike’ Campaign for Brain Gain

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:

Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) is launching a campaign to create job opportunities and bring talent back home.

The ‘Thirike’ campaign is designed for IT and non-IT professionals working outside Kerala who wish to return to the state for better prospects.

Kerala, with its advanced technology and skilled workforce, offers a favourable industrial climate.

KSUM aims to create opportunities for both IT and non-IT employees to return to Kerala and work. It believes that good living conditions and a supportive investment environment will attract professionals.

To facilitate this, a database of professionals interested in returning to Kerala will be compiled through a digital survey.

Finance Minister KN Balagopal launched the ‘Thirike’ website during the recent Huddle Global 2025 event.

Companies and entrepreneurs in need of top talent can select suitable professionals from this database, streamlining the recruitment process. It will also provide information about job opportunities from companies relocating to Kerala.

CEO Anoop Ambika stated that KSUM is exploring opportunities in the new era and developing innovative projects.

“Many technical professionals from Kerala have migrated to other states and abroad in search of better opportunities,” he said.

“Unofficial estimates suggest that 20 percent of the 50 lakh IT professionals in India are Malayalis.”

The ‘Thirike’ campaign targets those who want to return, considering the improved living conditions and job opportunities in Kerala.

“Kerala’s existing startup ecosystem offers growth opportunities for professionals. We are poised for significant growth, which could create thousands of job opportunities,” Shri Ambika said.

An international company coming to Kerala can access experienced and skilled professionals through the database created as part of the campaign. This database will be shared only with companies that are willing to invest in Kerala.”

A substantial number of job opportunities will be generated through Global Capability Centres (GCCs), where multinational companies can find the talent they require.

More than 40 leading companies have already established GCCs in Kerala, and several global companies are planning to follow suit. This presents promising job opportunities for professionals returning to Kerala.

According to a report by First Meridian Business Services, GCCs are expected to create 30 lakh jobs in India by 2030, with 150,000 jobs projected for 2026 alone.

Kerala attracts businesses for its knowledge economy, talented professionals, quality of life, world-class infrastructure, academic-industry linkages, and a strong startup ecosystem.

For registration: https://thirike.startupmission.in/