Kerala has Asia’s best startup ecosystem, says Minister

• Shri P Rajeeve launches first outlet of virtual food court VendnGo

Trivandrum / November 6, 2022

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov. 06: Holding that Kerala has the best startup ecosystem in Asia, Minister for Law, Industries and Coir, Shri P. Rajeeve, said startups coming to the country with their products will find the state as the most conducive place to enter straightaway and flourish.

Kerala facilitates hassle-free entry for startups, which is underscored by the significant presence of big global IT companies, the Minister said during the launch of the first outlet of VendnGo, a virtual food court promoted by Versicles Technologies here last evening.

Shri Rajeeve said an interaction with Indian Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA) at the recent Defence Expo revealed that Kerala is the only place where companies can come with their products straightaway whereas a formal submission of brochures and posters initially is required in other states.

VendnGo is a pioneering micro-commerce platform that allows customers to order their food choices from multiple restaurants in a single order and have it delivered to a kiosk pickup location or at their doorstep. The startup commences its operations with the launch of its first outlet at Mall of Travancore.

Noting that a whirlwind of change is happening in the IT sector in Kerala, Shri Rajeeve said Cognizance Technologies opened its 1.5 lakh sq.ft facility in Kochi, Tata Elxsi has 50 percent workforce in Kerala and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is setting up 36-acre campus near Infopark at Kakkanad.

“The government puts forward ‘Work from Kerala’ idea as the state has a pleasant milieu for IT industry and other sectors. We have limitations in terms of land so we must focus on startups and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which have immense possibilities,” he said. 

Shri Rajeeve noted this financial year is being observed as ‘Entrepreneurship Year’ with the goal of creating 100,000 MSMEs across the state. “But in first seven months itself, we have crossed 80,000 MSMEs while normally the annual average is 10,000,” he informed. 

The Minister added that MSME clinics have been set up in every district for providing consultation to youngsters, who come with new ideas. 

In his address, Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) CEO Shri Anoop Ambika said the kiosks of VendnGo have possibilities far beyond ordering multiple things and can become a centralized vending mall. 

Shri Kiran Karunakaran, Co-founder, VendnGo, said the venture was born out of the motivation that something has to be given back to the state.

“We wanted to have a mechanism to offer some societal good. In each VendnGo location, we can create at least five direct jobs and 10 indirect jobs. We are planning to set up outlets outside the state also,” he said.

Shri Karunakaran added that they have plans to sell food products of NGOs through VendnGo outlets, besides pickles and cakes made at homes.

Shri Manoj Dethan, CEO, Versicles Technologies, who proposed a vote of thanks, said gaining impetus from the Make in India initiative, they could create ‘Make in India and Made in Kerala’ concept. He said everything for the company was developed in the state capital, and it is one of their greatest achievements. 

Dr Reshma Thomas, Creative Director, VendnGo, welcomed the gathering. Shri Aneesh Suhail, Founder and CTO, VendnGo; and Shri SK Nair, Former Secretary, BCCI, were also present.

VendnGo is a virtual food court that allows customers to order from multiple restaurants in a single order with delivery at their convenience. Thus, one can order various cuisines such as soup, biryani, noodles, falooda, and Italian takeout from different local restaurants without paying separately.

A customer can make an order in the VendnGo portal and specify the pick-up time and location – at home or from a kiosk. The ordering system is integrated with the payment gateways and once payment is successful, customer will get an OTP with the kiosk box number for pick-up.

For more details, visit www.vendngo.in.