📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ganesh Mohan T
Jobs & Career
Kerala Professionals Laid Off by US Firm Turn to Indian Coffee House to Launch Startup
✍️ The Week
🗓 29 Oct 2026, 11:31 PM
👁 12
After being laid off by a US‑based firm, a group of Kerala professionals drew inspiration from the historic Indian Coffee House to start their own venture.
A number of professionals from Kerala were recently let go by a US‑based firm, prompting them to reassess their career paths. The layoffs, which affected several skilled workers in the IT and services sectors, left the group searching for a fresh direction.
Seeking a model that blends community spirit with sustainable business, the former employees turned to the Indian Coffee House, a state‑run chain known for its egalitarian ethos and long‑standing presence across the country. They visited the iconic outlet in Ernakulam, noting how it operates on cooperative principles and offers affordable fare to a diverse clientele.
Inspired by this framework, the Kerala team announced plans to launch their own company, aiming to replicate the coffee house’s inclusive approach while incorporating modern technology and contemporary service standards. They intend to register the venture within the next month and are currently drafting a business plan that emphasizes local sourcing and employee ownership.
The initiative reflects a broader trend of displaced workers channeling their expertise into entrepreneurship, hoping to create jobs and contribute to the regional economy.
Seeking a model that blends community spirit with sustainable business, the former employees turned to the Indian Coffee House, a state‑run chain known for its egalitarian ethos and long‑standing presence across the country. They visited the iconic outlet in Ernakulam, noting how it operates on cooperative principles and offers affordable fare to a diverse clientele.
Inspired by this framework, the Kerala team announced plans to launch their own company, aiming to replicate the coffee house’s inclusive approach while incorporating modern technology and contemporary service standards. They intend to register the venture within the next month and are currently drafting a business plan that emphasizes local sourcing and employee ownership.
The initiative reflects a broader trend of displaced workers channeling their expertise into entrepreneurship, hoping to create jobs and contribute to the regional economy.