Startup Icons of Kerala: Inspiring Journeys, Bold Futures

On 29th August (2:00 PM - 3:00 PM) at Grand Hyatt Kochi, the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) is bringing together some of the most celebrated founders from the state for a powerful session titled “Startup Icons of Kerala”. The panel will showcase the journeys, grit, and vision of entrepreneurs who are not just building businesses but redefining what it means to innovate from Kerala and scale globally.

The Panel of Visionaries

The session will feature some of Kerala’s most impactful founders:

• Anish Achuthan, Co-founder & CEO, Open Financial Technologies
• Johns T Mathai, CEO & Co-founder, EyeROV
• Sandith Thandassery, Founder & CEO, Navalt
• Roshy John, Founder, RoshAI
• Joseph Babu, Co-founder, Director & CMO, Riafy Technologies
• Vimal Govind, CEO, GenRobotics

The discussion will be moderated by Ashok Kurian Panjikaran, Senior Manager at Kerala Startup Mission, and promises to be as engaging as it is insightful.

When & Where

The Core of the Conversation

The session has been carefully designed to do more than inspire - it is about drawing actionable lessons for the next wave of founders. Key themes to be explored include:

1. The Founders’ Journeys - their “Why, What, and How.”
2. Early Challenges & Motivations - what kept them moving despite setbacks.
3. Kerala’s Ecosystem Influence - the role of local culture, policies, and community support.
4. Scaling & Breaking Barriers - lessons in building beyond the state.
5. Global Opportunities - what Kerala startups must do to strengthen their global footprint.
6. Ecosystem Gaps & Recommendations - policies, talent, and support systems that could accelerate growth.
7. Talent & Productivity - the availability and readiness of local talent that helped these startups thrive.
8. The Next Five Years - how Kerala should be recognized in the global startup landscape.

Spotlight on EyeROV

Representing the deep-tech and marine robotics space, Johns T Mathai will bring EyeROV’s story to the table - a tale of building a niche product company from Kerala and taking it to national and global waters. EyeROV’s journey exemplifies how startups can emerge from regional ecosystems and still solve complex global challenges, from hydro-infrastructure inspection to disaster response and marine safety.

Johns’ perspective will highlight:

• How EyeROV translated cutting-edge robotics into simple, high-impact solutions.
• The challenges of creating awareness and adoption in conservative industries.
• Why Kerala’s ecosystem played a unique role in nurturing a deep-tech venture.
• The opportunities ahead for marine robotics and defense-tech sectors in India and beyond.

Building an Ecosystem That Lasts

The outcome of the session is not just to celebrate icons but to pave the way for aspiring founders. Discussions will focus on:

• How Kerala’s startup culture can be made more resilient.
• What policy changes can accelerate growth.
• How to nurture local talent and prevent attrition.
• And most importantly, how Kerala can project itself as a global hub of innovation in the coming decade.

EyeROV’s Role in Enabling the Ecosystem

At the heart of this conversation is the spirit of giving back. Beyond its pioneering work in marine robotics, EyeROV actively contributes to the ecosystem by mentoring entrepreneurs, partnering with institutions, and creating awareness of deep-tech opportunities. Its journey shows that startups from Kerala can not only compete globally but also build a support system that uplifts others.

As Johns steps onto this panel, EyeROV’s story becomes more than just a company narrative - it becomes a beacon for what Kerala’s ecosystem can achieve when vision, execution, and community come together.
👉 This session is not just about where these icons are today - it is about where Kerala’s startup ecosystem is headed tomorrow.