The Kitchen Hosts Election Special Edition in Trivandrum

Technoparktoday (Dec, 2025) : The Kitchen, one of Kerala’s most influential platforms for business, leadership and creator networking, hosted a high-impact Election Special Edition at Hilton Garden Inn on Friday. The event brought together political leaders, entrepreneurs, technologists and creators for an extensive discussion on Thiruvananthapuram’s development priorities and its vision for 2030. The edition was organised in association with the Trivandrum Chamber of Commerce & Industry (TCCI), Whtzupcity, Trivandrum Management Association (TMA) & Technoparktoday.

Political Leaders Present Civic Vision for Trivandrum 2030

The afternoon opened with The Dialogue – Election Special Edition, featuring the mayoral candidates from the three major fronts:

• Adv. K. S. Sabarinathan (UDF) – KPCC General Secretary & Former MLA
• Adv. S. P. Deepak (LDF) – CPI(M) Leader & Kerala University Syndicate Member
• Adv. V. V. Rajesh (BJP-NDA) – State Secretary, BJP

Moderated by S. N. Raghuchandran Nair, President of TCCI and TMA, the session addressed key issues including urban mobility, integrated waste management, infrastructure gaps, administrative transparency, investor-friendly reforms, citizen engagement, and long-term civic planning aligned with Trivandrum 2030. All three leaders emphasised the need for coordinated governance and sustainable development frameworks to support the capital city’s growing demands.

Founders Spotlight Kerala’s Innovation Strength

The Brands of Kerala session highlighted homegrown entrepreneurial success stories. Speakers included:

• Ajisha Bhasi, Founder & CEO, ZenturioTech
• Richin R Chandran, Founder, Richinnovations
• Aslam Kunjumoosa, Co-Founder & COO, Scrbl & Eat at TVM

Moderated by Saju Soman, the panel discussed scaling Kerala-born products, leveraging Technopark’s talent ecosystem, and creating consumer-first brands. They also stressed the need for improved infrastructure, smoother digital systems, and stronger government support to accelerate local entrepreneurship.

Creators Decode Influence, Culture and New-Age Careers

A Fireside Chat brought together leading creators:

• Anjana Gopakumar – CEO, Scrbl & Food Vlogger
• Ritu Sarangi – Model & Fashion Choreographer, Miss Royal India 2024
• Shijo Parakadan (sp_arkz_) – Digital Creator & Influencer

The segment explored visibility challenges, trust-building, content trends and career opportunities for aspiring digital creators. The discussion highlighted the growing influence of content creators in shaping Kerala’s culture, food discovery, lifestyle and tourism narratives.

BlackCircle Edition Delivers Strategic Insights for Leaders

The invite-only BlackCircle Edition concluded the event with FoundersTalk and LeadersTalk, featuring:

• Chitra K. S – Director, CDS Global Trading; former UN/US Military Cargo Specialist
• Abhinand V Nair – Founder & CEO, A-Team Soft Solutions
• Anjana Gopakumar & Aslam Kunjumoosa – Co-Founders, Eat at TVM / Scrbl
• Col. Thomas Mathew – NSG Instructor & Defence Veteran; VP, Acsia Technologies

Topics ranged from global operations and leadership discipline to high-performance cultures, stress management, startup scaling, and the need for better urban infrastructure—including nightlife workspaces and innovation incentives—to retain talent within the city.

A Platform Cementing Kerala’s Thought Leadership

With voices from politics, business, technology, startups, defence and the creator economy coming together, The Kitchen’s Election Special Edition reinforced its role as a leading platform for civic and development-focused dialogue in Kerala. The event set the stage for deeper collaboration and collective action as Thiruvananthapuram works toward its long-term growth vision.