Kerala is emerging as a launchpad for India’s burgeoning space tech industry, riding on a wave of innovative startups and state-backed initiatives. From ambitious satellite launches to a dedicated space park, the state is positioning itself as a critical player in the space economy.
At the heart of this transformation is the Kerala Space Park (KSpace) in Technopark Phase IV, Thiruvananthapuram. Positioned as a hub for space technology innovation, KSpace offers a platform for startups across verticals to develop groundbreaking solutions. Thiruvananthapuram is uniquely positioned to become a space tech hub, thanks to its strong institutional base and growing startup ecosystem
The park's strategic location benefits from its proximity to key space research institutions like the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC). These institutions not only anchor Kerala’s space tech ecosystem but also provide a talent pipeline of skilled engineers and researchers eager to push the boundaries of space innovation.
“ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), and Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) at Valiamala act as a boost to space tech startup ideas in the Thiruvananthapuram region,” K.C. Chandrasekharan Nair, a startup mentor at K-DISC told Dhanam. Kerala’s startups would be a force to reckon with in space technology soon, Chandrasekharan Nair, who also serves as a super mentor at Wadhwani Foundation Global, noted.
This apart, the students who pass out of the VSSC and IIST campuses brim with awesome talent and they look forward to floating their startup ideas in the space technology domain. The support they need comes from ISRO, KSUM, KSpace, and Technopark, who are more than happy to handhold such entrepreneurial spirit.
Among the new entrants making waves is Hex20, a Technopark-based startup preparing for a milestone mission: the launch of its maiden satellite, Nila, in collaboration with Elon Musk's SpaceX next year. “Our goal is to contribute meaningfully to space science while unlocking the immense potential of outer space,” says Anurag Reghu, co-founder of Hex20.
The company has also partnered with ISRO and state bodies like Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) and KSpace, signaling a robust public-private collaboration in Kerala’s space tech ecosystem.
The space tech boom aligns with the central government’s vision for a private sector-driven space economy. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s budget announcement earlier this year emphasised support for startups in this sector, including a proposed ₹1,000-crore venture capital fund. The Union government’s keen interest has encouraged several entrepreneurs to showcase their capabilities in this domain. Sitharaman’s focus on private sector-driven research and innovation in space tech has inspired serious discussion among those toying with the idea of setting up space technology startups. Over 100 spacetech startups registered with ISRO last year alone, a testament to the sector’s growing traction.
And, Kerala’s startups have embraced this momentum. As Kerala’s space tech ecosystem matures, its startups are poised to play a pivotal role in India’s ascent as a global space power. From launching satellites to pioneering research, Kerala’s ambitions are firmly skybound.
