Kerala is widening its technology strategy beyond government-owned IT parks, with the state government launching Tech Keralam and an IT Parks Affiliation Scheme aimed at creating a connected ecosystem spanning technology companies, startups, research institutions, universities, investors and private infrastructure.
Unveiled at Technopark, the initiatives are designed to bring private technology parks, co-working spaces and other eligible technology establishments into a broader state-level network. The objective is to create more opportunities for investment, emerging technologies and employment while making it easier for companies to engage with the state’s technology ecosystem.
Launching the initiatives, Industries, Commerce, IT & Artificial Intelligence Minister P K Kunhalikutty said the government is prioritising emerging technologies and wants to develop them in ways that create opportunities for Kerala’s youth. He also highlighted the need to leverage the state’s existing IT infrastructure and human capital to attract companies and investment.
“Kerala has a strong foundation of IT parks and educated youth who can readily adapt to new technologies. What is required now is the right hand-holding and support to strengthen their technology capabilities.”
— P K Kunhalikutty, Minister for Industries, Commerce, IT & Artificial Intelligence, Government of Kerala
The Tech Keralam brand is intended to provide a common identity for Kerala’s technology, innovation, research and knowledge-intensive industries. Its digital platform will provide eligible entities with a pathway to register and participate in the affiliated network.
The government is also looking to reshape the institutional framework supporting the sector. Seeram Sambasiva Rao, Special Secretary, Department of IT, AI and Future Technologies, said Kerala State IT Mission will be transformed into the Kerala State Digital Technology Mission, with a focus on enabling technology adoption, particularly AI and emerging technologies.
The state also plans to establish The Future Corporation, subject to the Cabinet’s in-principle approval, as an institution focused on ecosystem development, global promotion of Kerala, investment facilitation and strategic collaborations.
The announcements extend beyond policy branding. A two-lakh-square-foot prefabricated IT building and common recreational facilities were launched at Technopark Phase III, while Technopark and Caspian Techparks exchanged an MoU for a proposed project at Technopark Phase I.
The event also saw the launch of the Semicon Consortium and the formal announcement of Maker Hub.
For Kerala, the broader strategy represents a shift from expanding IT infrastructure alone to building an interconnected technology economy. The success of the model will depend on how effectively private infrastructure, industry, academia, startups and government programmes translate the state’s technology talent into investment, innovation and high-quality employment.