Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan has said that the fast growth of the country's first telecom incubator, Startup Village will help in enhancing Kerala's investment and industrial environment.

He was speaking to the media after announcing 20 outstanding start-ups today. He said that the emergence of the Startup Village in such a short time has helped changed the image of the state as some of these are entrepreneurs and job-creators.

He pointed out that the Startup Village was able to provide congenial atmosphere and sufficient infrastructure for the growth of the stat-ups, allowing these firms to flourish. Kris also said that the products created at the Startup Village has already gained international recognition and hoped that some innovations will become household names around the world.

Kris is the chief mentor of Startup Village and gave away merit certificates to about 20 outstanding start-up ventures today. The Startup Village campus hosts 68 incubated firms in an area of 5,000 sq ft Meanwhile, a new 10,000 sq. ft. four-floor building leased by Kinfra will be able to a accommodate 250 to 300 companies. The authorities have already received 359 applicants for incubation at the Village.