7th edition of Huddle Global start-up fest kicks off in Kerala

The seventh edition of India’s largest beachside start-up festival, Huddle Global 2025, being organised by the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), kicked off on Friday at Kovalam here.

The three-day event will have insightful debates, an expo of innovative products and an all-India hackathon with attractive prizes up for grab, besides opening vast opportunities for start-ups, including funding and mentor support, the KSUM said in a statement.

Addressing the opening session of the event, Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal presented ‘Vision 2031 -- What is in store for Kerala’s Knowledge Economy’.

On the occasion, Mr. Balagopal said that the global landscape was transforming with rapid digitisation through domains like AI, automation, and shipping supply chains, and Kerala has embraced several key steps to accelerate the State’s progress with the next phase.

Giving an example, the Minister said that the Vizhinjam-Kollam-Punalur triangle was emerging as one of the most strategic development zones combining port growth, industrial capacity, and inland connectivity.

He is also quoted as having said that the digital and science parks have been designed to bring global technology companies, advanced research labs, and leading universities focussing on AI, robotics, semiconductor technologies, food technologies, optics, and digital engineering.

Mr. Balagopal informed the gathering that the State government was going to recapitalise the Kerala Financial Corporation (KFC) to strengthen KSUM’s grant and seed funding programme along with fund-of-fund to attract private venture capital. Additionally, the government is working to set up a private seed fund to help scaling of growing start-ups, he said.

The Minister also unveiled a book titled Incubators, Accelerators and Start-ups, written by start-up founder K.C. Chandrasekharan Nair and honoured animation pioneer and winner of Annecy International Animation Festival Award, known as ‘Oscar of Animation’, Suresh Eriyat.

“More than 3,000 start-ups, 200-plus HNIs (High Networth Individuals), 100-plus mentors, corporate, exhibitors and 150 speakers are attending Huddle Global 2025, where start-ups will also launch their products and solutions,” the release said.

“Humanoid robots, autonomous drones, sustainable energy solutions, biomedical devices, and smart city innovations designed to address pressing global challenges are on display at the expo,” it said.