Pookalam Competition
Teams of 3 to 6 build a six-foot floral design from fresh flowers.
Startup Onam 2026
Kerala's Startup Community Comes Together
Celebrate Onam with Kerala’s startup community through fun games, cultural performances, Pookalam, Onam Sadhya and DJ night
Hosted by Startup Square
Startup Onam 2026 has wrapped — thank you for celebrating with us! Relive it in the gallery.
About Startup Onam
Come with your team
Startup Onam brings startup founders, employees, interns and families together to celebrate Kerala’s culture and the joy of Onam. Come with your team, meet the startup community and enjoy a full day of celebrations.
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What the day looks like
Pookalams across the atrium floor, Maveli on campus, and the whole community in one photograph.
What's on
Event highlights
A full day on campus, from the welcome desk to the last song.
Traditional Onam games
Vadamvali, kasera kali, sack race and the lemon and spoon race.
Chendamelam
A traditional percussion ensemble takes over the campus at midday.
Mahabali procession
Maveli arrives in person to welcome the crowd.
Startup cultural performances
An afternoon of stage slots owned entirely by the startup teams.
Onam Sadhya
A traditional banana-leaf feast with two varieties of payasam.
Networking
Meet the wider startup community across campus after the Sadhya.
Prize distribution
Winners across the pookalam, dance and singing competitions recognised.
DJ night
One last hour on the dance floor to close out the day.
Onakalikal
Traditional Onam games
Vadamvali, kasera kali, the sack race and the lemon and spoon race, all running together through the late morning. Every game is a common event run on the spot — no sign-up, just turn up.
Traditional Onakalikal
Vadamvaliവടംവലി
Two teams, one rope, and a line neither wants to cross.
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Traditional Onakalikal
Kasera Kaliകസേരകളി
The music stops, and there is always one seat short.
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Traditional Onakalikal
Sack Raceചാക്കോട്ടം
Both feet in the sack, and hope for the best.
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Traditional Onakalikal
Lemon and Spoon Raceനാരങ്ങയും സ്പൂണും
Steady hands, short course, no second chances.
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Kalolsavam
Competitions & performances
From the first chenda beat to the closing DJ set — pookalam, group dance and solo singing competitions, plus an afternoon of stage slots that belong entirely to the startup teams.
Community Competition
Onam Pookalam Competition
Fresh flowers, six feet across, one team canvas.
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Community Competition
Group Dance Competition
Strictly five to eight minutes on stage. Traditional or modern, your call.
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Community Competition
Solo Singing Competition
One voice, one song, the whole campus listening.
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Group Singing Competition
Ramp Walk
Onam Sadhya
A traditional Sadhya on a banana leaf
Enjoy a traditional Onam Sadhya served on a banana leaf with delicious dishes and two varieties of payasam.
Signature dishes to look out for
Sambar · Aviyal · Pineapple Kichadi · Ada Pal Payasam · Parippu Payasam
₹270Per person
You must register and pay on or before 19 August 2026
Registration
How to register
Registration is per startup, at ₹270 per person for the Onam Sadhya. Pay by UPI first, then submit the form with your transaction reference.
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1
Count your team
Decide how many people are coming — founders, employees, interns and family all count as participants.
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2
Pay ₹270 per person
Send ₹270 × your headcount to the UPI ID below, and keep the screenshot.
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3
Fill the form
Add your participant names, the events you are entering, your transaction reference and the screenshot.
Pay for Sadhya
₹270
Per person
Scan with any UPI app
- UPI ID
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vishnuvasudev2212-2@okicici - UPI number
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7994809676 - Payee
- Vishnu Vasudev
Pay ₹270 × the number of participants in a single transaction where possible, then keep the screenshot — it is compulsory in the registration form. Register and complete payment on or before 19 August 2026.
How the day unfolds
21 August 2026 · 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
9:30 AM
Registration and welcome Ceremony
Collect your welcome kit and check in your competition teams.
10:00 AM
Pookalam Competition Culturals
Startup teams build fresh-flower pookalams across the marked arena.
10:45 AM
Inauguration and Onam welcome Ceremony
11:15 AM
Traditional games Games
Vadamvali, kasera kali, sack race and the lemon and spoon race, running together.
12:15 PM
Chendamelam and Mahabali procession Culturals
12:45 PM
Pookalam results and group photo Ceremony
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Who can attend Startup Onam?
Startup Onam brings startup founders, employees, interns and their families together to celebrate Onam. Registration is per startup — one contact person registers everyone coming from the team. If you are unsure whether your organisation is covered, write to nasif@startupmission.in and the team will confirm.
What does it cost?
Rs 270 per person, which covers the Onam Sadhya. Everything else on the day — the games, competitions, cultural performances, networking and DJ night — is included at no extra cost.
How do I pay?
Pay Rs 270 x the number of participants by UPI to vishnuvasudev2212-2@okicici (UPI number 7994809676), then fill the registration form with the transaction reference and a screenshot of the payment. The screenshot is compulsory, and you can upload two if you paid in more than one transaction.
When does registration close?
The portal is open only till 19 August 2026. Register and complete payment on or before that date — plates are ordered against paid registrations, so late entries cannot be accommodated.
Do I need to register for the games?
No. All the games — vadamvali, kasera kali, sack race and the lemon and spoon race — are common events that run on the spot. Just turn up on the day; there is no team or name to submit in advance.
Celebrate Onam with us
Come with your team and family. Enjoy the traditions, food, games and celebrations with Kerala's startup community.