15,000 Startups and 1 Lakh Jobs by 2026: Pinarayi Vijayan Unveils Kerala’s Bold Vision

Kochi: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has declared that the Kerala government aims to create one lakh (1,00,000) new jobs by supporting 15,000 startups in the coming year. He made the announcement while inaugurating the Ernakulam district-level interaction as part of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government’s fourth anniversary celebrations.
In his speech, the Chief Minister emphasized that Kerala's startup ecosystem has undergone a significant transformation over the past nine years. "In 2016, we had just 3,000 startups. Today, that number stands at 6,300. These ventures have attracted 5,800 crore rupees in investments and generated around 60,000 jobs. This is a clear reflection of the strength of Kerala's youth and the government’s consistent efforts," he said.
Pinarayi Vijayan also highlighted that Kerala now ranks among the top states in India for startup support and innovation. The narrative that Kerala is not investor-friendly has changed decisively. “Kerala is now number one in the country for industrial-friendly environment,” Vijayan noted. He cited the growing presence of global giants like Nissan and Airbus as proof that investor confidence in the state has grown.
Citing data, Pinarayi Vijayan said the number of companies operating from Kerala’s IT parks increased from 640 in 2016 to 1,106 in 2024. The number of people employed in these parks has reached 1,48,000. Kerala’s IT exports, which were 34,123 crore rupees in 2016, are now poised to touch 90,000 crore rupees. “This growth reflects the resilience and potential of our digital economy, even during times of global uncertainty,” he stated.
He also detailed the government’s upcoming initiatives, including the establishment of an International Ayurveda Research Institute, a Genome Data Centre, and a Medical Technology Consortium. Centers of excellence in microbiome research and the nutraceutical sector are also being planned.
The Chief Minister pointed to Kerala’s readiness to embrace high-technology industries. “We are preparing for significant strides in hardware manufacturing, solar energy, lithium battery production, and the hydrogen fuel sector,” he said.
Pinarayi Vijayan also noted the improvement in the state’s overall industrial growth rate, which has risen from 12% in 2016 to 17% in 2024. “This is the result of sustained policy reforms, public investment, and grassroots-level entrepreneurship,” he said.
With the backing of data and recognitions from global institutions, Pinarayi Vijayan portrayed Kerala as a model for inclusive, innovation-driven development. “Kerala’s development is not just about growth in numbers. It’s about social commitment, equity, and preparing for the future,” he concluded.