Kerala Startup Mission signs MoU with Kotak Mahindra Bank

Media Release

Kerala Startup Mission signs MoU with Kotak Mahindra Bank

Partnership to help Startups scale up, boost credit support

Thiruvananthapuram, April 3rd, 2025: In a significant partnership to strengthen the thriving Startup ecosystem in Kerala, Kotak Mahindra Bank has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), a nodal agency dedicated to fostering innovaon and entrepreneurship under the Government of Kerala.

As part of the MoU, which focuses on Startups in sectors such as agriculture, medical technology, electronics, and space, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Kerala Startup Mission will take a series of steps to nurture and grow the Startup ecosystem in the state.

As a Scheduled Commercial Bank, Kotak will offer Startups banking soluons, organize masterclasses and knowledge-sharing sessions on banking services, export documentaon, and fundraising opons. Addionally, Kotak will bridge Startups in Kerala with NRIs based in global markets through its branch offices located outside India.

KSUM will provide Startups with incubaon, mentorship, funding assistance, capacity-building programs, and resources to nurture and accelerate the growth of early-stage ventures. Startups will also gain access to a network of investors, industry experts, and government iniaves aimed at developing a thriving startup ecosystem in the state.

Highlighng this iniave, KSUM CEO Shri Anoop Ambika said, "This partnership will provide Startups with financial resources and market linkages to scale up their businesses. The collaboraon with a major financial instuon like Kotak Mahindra Bank also reflects the credibility of the state's fast-flourishing Startup ecosystem."

Thakur Bhaskar, Head of Distribuon - South, Kotak Mahindra Bank, said, "We understand what it takes to Startup and scale a business, having ourselves been there in the journey as a challenger brand in the established banking sector. We want to help many more entrepreneurs who have shown 'Hausla' to pursue their dreams, in every way possible. Kotak is a financial conglomerate, and we are confident Startups will benefit greatly not just from our world-class products but also our advisory services."

About Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited

Established in 1985, Kotak Mahindra Group is one of India's leading financial services conglomerates. In February 2003, Kotak Mahindra Finance Ltd. (KMFL), the Group's flagship company, received banking license from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), becoming the first non-banking finance company in India to convert into a bank - Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited.

The Bank has four Strategic Business Units - Consumer Banking, Corporate Banking, Commercial Banking, and Treasury, which cater to retail and corporate customers across urban and rural India. The premise of Kotak Mahindra Group's business model is concentrated India, diversified financial services. The bold vision that underscores the Group's growth is an inclusive one, with a host of products and services designed to address the needs of the unbanked and insufficiently banked. As on 31st December 2024, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd has a naonal footprint of 2,068 branches and 3,337 ATMs

(incl. cash recyclers), and branches in GIFT City and DIFC (Dubai). For further informaon, please contact: