Kerala Taps into Global Malayalee Talent to Enhance Its Tech  Aspirations 

Kerala is intensifying its efforts to bolster its IT and startup ecosystem by reconnecting  with its extensive diaspora of technology professionals residing outside the State. The  Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), the government’s primary agency for fostering  entrepreneurship and innovation, has initiated a new campaign aimed at enticing  skilled Malayalee tech professionals back home while also attracting fresh investments  into the IT/ITES sector. 

‘Thirike’ Campaign to Welcome Talent Back Home 

The newly launched initiative, dubbed “Thirike”—meaning return in Malayalam—aims to  establish a comprehensive database of tech professionals of Kerala origin who are  currently working abroad. The objective is to create a readily available pool of skilled  talent that can be presented to global technology firms looking to expand into Tier-II  cities. 

KSUM reports that approximately 15–20 percent of India’s estimated 5 million IT/ITES  workforce comprises Malayalees. However, only about 2–3 lakh of them are currently  employed in Kerala. Through the Thirike campaign, KSUM seeks to bridge this gap by  

encouraging professionals interested in relocating back to the State to express their  interest. 

Making Kerala an Attractive Destination for Global Tech Firms 

Anoop Ambika, CEO of Kerala Startup Mission, emphasized that the availability of  quality talent is a crucial factor for global companies considering relocating operations  from high-cost metropolitan areas to Tier-II locations. With Thirike, KSUM intends to

present companies like Google and Microsoft with a pre-curated talent pool— potentially numbering in the thousands—thereby enhancing Kerala’s appeal as an  investment destination. 

While the ultimate hiring decisions will lie with the companies, the State believes that  showcasing a robust, ready workforce can significantly sway their choices regarding  new technology centres. 

Leveraging the Diaspora for Startup Investments 

In addition to talent mobilization, Kerala is also exploring innovative investment models  by engaging its global diaspora. KSUM is collaborating with IvyCap Ventures to adapt an  alumni-driven venture capital model specifically for Kerala’s startup ecosystem. 

Rather than relying solely on contributions from IIT alumni, this proposed model will  focus on securing investments from the Kerala diaspora. This strategy aims to establish  dedicated venture funds supported by expatriate Malayalees who are eager to invest in  startups and innovation in their home State. 

Building Infrastructure for Deep-Tech Startups 

To facilitate the next phase of technology-driven growth, KSUM is investing in essential  infrastructure for deep-tech startups. A significant initiative includes the development  of a State-owned Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) system, which will be made available  to startups at minimal or no cost. 

KSUM has already prepared a request for proposal (RFP) for the GPU infrastructure and  anticipates that the system will be operational before March 2026. This initiative is  expected to greatly benefit startups engaged in AI, machine learning, and data-intensive  technologies. 

Preparing for Future Energy Needs 

Acknowledging that AI and data centres are energy-intensive, Kerala is also investigating  sustainable energy solutions to meet future demands. The State is open to exploring a  variety of renewable and alternative energy sources, including hydrogen, solar power,  ocean energy, battery storage, and even small-scale nuclear options. 

A Holistic Approach to Tech-Led Growth 

By integrating talent repatriation, diaspora-backed funding, advanced infrastructure,  and sustainable energy planning, Kerala is positioning itself as a future-ready  technology hub. The State’s strategy embodies a long-term vision to cultivate a resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive tech ecosystem that is rooted in local talent and  global collaboration.