The Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) has unveiled a significant funding opportunity for artificial intelligence innovators, announcing grants of Rs 25 lakh each for the five most promising agentic AI solutions that will be selected at the upcoming Huddle Global 2025 startup festival.
Major Funding Announcement for AI Innovators
The groundbreaking announcement came from KSUM CEO Anoop Ambika during the inauguration of a one-day workshop on agentic AI at Technopark on Saturday. The workshop was organized by Prathidhwani, the welfare organization for IT employees, in collaboration with career-focused training institute TechByHeart.
The Huddle Global 2025 startup festival is scheduled to take place in Kovalam from December 12 to 14, 2025, where the selection of the five winning agentic AI solutions will occur. This substantial financial support aims to accelerate the development and implementation of cutting-edge AI technologies in Kerala's growing startup ecosystem.
Understanding Agentic AI and Its Significance
During his address, Ambika emphasized the crucial role of agentic AI in modern technology landscapes. He explained that agentic AI specializes in completing transactions or tasks according to the specific requirements of the work at hand, making it particularly valuable for practical applications.
Anees Mohammed, AI Director at TechByHeart, provided detailed insights into the functional aspects and protocols of agentic AI during the workshop. He elaborated on the operational framework, noting that an agentic AI system first comprehends the problem, then develops a clear strategic plan, followed by precise execution.
Mohammed further detailed the technical protocols involved, highlighting the use of model context protocol (MCP) and A2A (agent-to-agent) protocol as fundamental components that enable these advanced AI systems to function effectively and autonomously.
Workshop Success and Industry Participation
The intensive workshop, led by senior AI developers Tittu A and Alex V Ajith, was designed to provide participants with hands-on experience and practical knowledge. The program focused on exploring cutting-edge AI applications, practical techniques, and industry-relevant case studies that participants could immediately apply in their professional work.
The event demonstrated strong industry interest, attracting approximately 200 IT professionals representing 40 different companies. This substantial turnout underscores the growing importance of agentic AI in the technology sector and the keen interest among Kerala's IT workforce to stay ahead of emerging trends.
This initiative by KSUM represents a significant step forward in positioning Kerala as a hub for artificial intelligence innovation and development, particularly in the specialized field of agentic AI systems that can autonomously manage complex tasks and transactions.
