KSUM's Innovation Festival shifts focus beyond startups, tech

THE Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), the state's nodal agency for entrepreneurship development, is gearing up to host the first-ever Kerala Innovation Festival on July 25 (Friday) and 26 at its Innovation Hub in Kalamassery.

- Ronnie Kuriakose

The two-day event, expected to draw over 10,000 participants, is being positioned as more than just another startup gathering. While product showcases, founder pitches and investment networking remain central, the festival also reflects KSUM's conscious effort to expand what innovation means.

"We wanted to bring together not just startups, but also thinkers, researchers, students, artists, and collectives, all those who are shaping the wider ecosystem," says a KSUM official.

The festival features over 100 product exhibitions, panel discussions, experience zones and curated summits such as She Leads, Gen AI for All, and Sustainable Development.

The broader intent, officials say, is not to sideline tech, but to frame it within present and future challenges, from AI governance to climate change to gender equity.

One of the more noticeable additions is a flea market that features climate-conscious brands and circular economy models.