Kerala Startup Mission Bets Big on the Middle East with New Logistics & Supply Chain Cohort

For decades, the Middle East has been at the crossroads of global trade—a region where goods, cultures, and opportunities converge. Today, as Dubai and its Gulf neighbors fast emerge as global logistics powerhouses, Indian startups are finding a golden gateway to scale beyond borders. Leading this charge is the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), which has just unveiled a bold new initiative to bridge Indian innovation with the Middle East’s surging logistics and supply chain ecosystem.

The state government’s nodal agency for entrepreneurship and innovation, KSUM, has launched the Supply Chain & Logistics vertical under its 2025 Industry Cohort Programme. The initiative, in partnership with Startup Middle East and Transworld Group as strategic industry partner, will support ten high-potential Indian startups in cracking the UAE and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets.

Why the Middle East, Why Now?

Global trade is shifting, and the UAE in particular has been positioning itself as an indispensable logistics hub, not just for oil but for digital-first commerce, cross-border trade, and futuristic supply chain infrastructure. The region has been pouring billions into ports, digital freight platforms, cold chain networks, and AI-driven logistics efficiency.

For Indian startups, this isn’t just a new market—it’s a launchpad to plug into one of the world’s most dynamic trade ecosystems. And KSUM seems determined to ensure that its startups don’t just enter, but thrive.

What the Cohort Offers

At the heart of this new vertical lies opportunity. The programme is built to unlock pilot projects, strategic partnerships, and direct investment access with leading logistics players in the region.

The selected startups will work on focus areas such as:

• Digital freight platforms

• AI/ML-driven supply chain visibility

• Cold chain efficiency

• Port and yard digitisation

• Last-mile delivery solutions

• Automation of cross-border compliance

KSUM’s CEO Anoop Ambika framed it as more than just an expansion drive. “This flagship market acceleration programme bridges startups with strategic business opportunities, mentorship from industry leaders and global experts, partnerships, investor engagement, and sector-specific collaborations. It will build a strong pipeline of Indian innovation for the Middle East's fast-growing logistics and supply chain sector,” he said.

Part of a Bigger Play

Interestingly, the Supply Chain & Logistics vertical is not a standalone effort. It’s part of KSUM’s Industry Cohort Programme 2025, which also includes Food & AgriTech and TravelTech verticals. Each vertical will host ten market-ready startups carefully curated for their potential to scale in international markets.

Beyond mentorship and exposure, the programme will also handhold startups through market entry strategies, localisation support, and regional scaling playbooks, making sure that promising Indian companies don’t just “land” in the Middle East but truly “expand.”

Building Bridges Between India and GCC

For the Gulf, the timing is equally significant. The region is doubling down on becoming a global trade and logistics hub beyond oil. India, on the other hand, has become a fertile ground for digital-first, efficiency-driven startups that can plug gaps in the GCC’s logistics ecosystem.

This initiative, therefore, is more than just an export of Indian startups—it’s about building a two-way bridge of innovation and commerce. For Indian founders, the GCC offers scale, capital, and strategic partners. For the Gulf, India brings a proven pool of tech talent and frugal innovation.

A Global Launchpad from Kerala

What makes this particularly remarkable is that the initiative originates from Kerala—traditionally celebrated for its remittances and diaspora networks in the Gulf. Now, the same corridor that once saw talent flow outward may soon see innovation flow in.

With this move, KSUM is not only positioning Kerala startups on the world map but also redefining how regional ecosystems can drive global entrepreneurship opportunities.

As the first batch of ten logistics and supply chain startups prepares to test their mettle in the GCC, the message is clear: India’s innovation is ready to ride the Gulf’s logistics wave.