Huddle Global 2024 Expo Exudes Tribal, Tech Vibes

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
The expo of the ongoing sixth edition of three-day Huddle Global 2024 springs a surprise for visitors not only with its unique display of innovative technology but also for quaint tribal products like plant-based protein-rich green meat besides weaving artistry of tribal women.

The riveting exhibits at the event, organised by Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), range from Thrissur-based startup Forest Post’s value-added products from non-timber forest produce sector to green meat by Greenovate Foods Pvt. Ltd., located at KRIBS BioNest, KINFRA Hi-Tech Park, Kalamassery.

Manju Vasudevan, Founder, Forest Post, said the startup, which was incubated in UNDP in 2021, had explored market linkage through Kudumbashree and Vanasree for the value-added products like thenmezhuku (honey wax), wild edibles, bamboo and KannadiPaaya, a signature bamboo weave of the Muthuva tribe with complex squared pattern.

Vasudevan, who is also an ecologist, said the startup has ensured dignified livelihoods for tribals by roping in 80 women from nine villages in Chimmony, Sholayar and Vazhachal areas in Thrissur and their incomes have improved by 40 percent.

“We have also revived products like bamboo rice and bamboo craft. KSUM gave us a scale-up grant for focusing on marketing and improving sales,” she added.

Two women from Muthuva tribe will exhibit their expertise in weaving Kannadi Paaya on Saturday, the concluding day of Huddle Global 2024. KannadiPaaya was recently awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. Vasudevan and Dr Sreeja, Agriculture Economist, are the founders of Forest Post.

Unnikrishnan P G, Co-founder, and CEO Dheeraj Mohan represent Greenovate Foods at the expo where they have displayed green meat, a complete plant-based meat substitute.

“We use 100 percent plant-based ingredients and take protein from it. The plant proteins are texturised through a thermo-mechanical process and it will get a meat-like texture. The product is available on Amazon, Flipkart and ONDC platforms,” said Unnikrishnan. The startup has ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat products.

He said no dairy products are used in the healthy green meat which has low fat, low carbohydrate and replete with dietary fibre.

The startup has got a seed fund of Rs 15 lakh from KSUM, apart from a grant of Rs 7 lakh and Rs1.5 lakh under its marketing support scheme. Besides, they have got a seed fund of Rs 25 lakh from Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC). Founded in 2001, the founders devoted three years into R&D before launching the product this year.

Tech startup trizlabz, based in Trivandrum Engineering Science and Technology (TrEST) Research Park, has showcased autonomous mobile robots at the expo.

“India has guided vehicles using robots that navigate through a specific path. Autonomous mobile robots don’t require a path. If we already have a path, they will navigate themselves using the sensors. If there is an obstacle, the robot will elude it and go smoothly. We provide the software stack for such robots,” said Saju Namboodiri, CEO, trizlabz.

Autonomous mobile robots are being used in the warehouses of Amazon and Flipkart but they are guided robots.

Namboodiri said unlike the existing Robot Operating System (ROS), their mobile robots have a dynamic path planning.

“Our fleet management software can control multiple robots through one dashboard (website). Through this software, we get complete analysis of the task of robot, battery percentage and the completed task,” he said.

Anurag Raghu, Co-founder and CTO, trizlabz, said a transition from guided robots to autonomous mobile robots is happening now. The three-year-old startup is registered in Startup India and KSUM.