TiEcon Kerala 2025, the state’s largest business and startup fiesta, has kicked off with great energy at The Zuri, Kumarakom. Organized by TiE Kerala, this year’s grand event celebrates the spirit of entrepreneurship, bringing together startup founders, business leaders, investors, mentors, and innovators from all over India. The inauguration saw C.K. Ranganathan, the Founder and Chairman of CavinKare, sharing golden lessons on the ups and downs of the entrepreneurial journey. He explained the six stages of building a business, from the wild and chaotic start to the smooth, system-driven growth phase. "Young founders need to embrace continuous thinking, self-investment and responsibility instead of accidental growth," Ranganathan declared. He urged entrepreneurs to identify where they get stuck and push ahead with grit and belief. According to him, the magic starts when founders stop just working in their business and start working on it — setting up systems, creating delegation models, and building professional structures that can carry a brand forward. Only leaders who think strategically and reflect daily can manage teams, brands, and multiple ventures successfully. Adding to the momentum, C. Balagopal, Chairman of KSIDC, busted the myth that Kerala’s economy is stuck. He proudly showed numbers that prove Kerala’s Gross State Domestic Product has soared nearly six times since 2000! Moreover, per-capita income skyrocketed from $1,000 to nearly $12,000, and multidimensional poverty shrank to a tiny 0.5%. "Kerala is now one of India’s strongest consumer markets," he said, inviting entrepreneurs to dump old pessimism and grab this golden chance. With high incomes, strong demand, and a skilled workforce, he believes Kerala is ready for its next big leap in innovation and business. Vivek Krishna Govind, President of TiE Kerala, shared the event’s bigger mission: nurturing leaders who think global and govern wisely. "Through TiEcon, we want Kerala’s entrepreneurs to tap digital opportunities, access global exposure and build the networks that can accelerate their growth," he said with confidence. Meanwhile, Geemon Korah, Vice President of TiE Kerala and Chair of TiEcon Kerala 2025, put the spotlight on the future. "Our aim is to help founders think beyond immediate success and build resilient, responsible and globally competitive enterprises," he added. With such shining insights and a buzzing crowd, TiEcon Kerala 2025 promises to be the launchpad for Kerala’s entrepreneurs to dream big, scale fast, and rewrite the business map!