Navigating The Entrepreneurial Landscape: Challenges Faced By Startups In Kerala, India

This research paper investigates the challenges confronting startups within Kerala, India's burgeoning entrepreneurial landscape. Despite a surge in startup initiatives, numerous obstacles impede their growth and sustainability. Through a comprehensive literature review and empirical analysis, this study aims to identify and analyze these challenges, offering insights for entrepreneurs, policymakers, and investors. Key objectives include examining challenges faced by IT startups from inception to scale-up, assessing funding rates in Kerala compared to other states, and proposing solutions to bridge gaps in the startup ecosystem. The study employs descriptive statistics to summarize survey data, highlighting financial, marketing, and product validation challenges. It suggests measures such as establishing effective feedback mechanisms, prioritizing swift product launches, enhancing PR support, and conducting thorough market research. By implementing these recommendations, startups can navigate challenges effectively, fostering a conducive environment for entrepreneurial success in Kerala.