Opportunities
Where to Start
Understand Your Profile
Understand your investment profile, basis your financial goals, your investment tenure and your risk appetite.
Choose Category
Choose the right category of investment based on your interest and personal time and other constraints.
Pick Opportunity
Select investment avenue based on risk adjusted returns, performance across various cycles of investment life span.
Monitor Regularly
Monitor regularly and take remedial steps to enhance performance of your investment.
Realistic Step-by-Step Roadmap
Timeline for NRI/Returnee Investors
Clarity
- Define investment range and return expectation
- Choose involvement level (hands-on vs passive)
- Pick 1-2 sectors and preferred districts
- Select route: greenfield / brownfield / JV / opportunity-led
Structuring
- Choose entity structure (Private Limited / LLP, etc.)
- Finalise funding route and documentation (especially if investing from abroad)
- If returning: align banking and account redesignation steps
- Set governance: reporting cadence, signatory rules, audit and controls
Feasibility & Approvals
- Validate demand and location feasibility
- Map approvals and clearances using Kerala's online pathways
- Check incentive eligibility before capex commitments
Launch & Stabilise
- Hiring and vendor onboarding
- Accounting setup and compliance calendar
- Monthly KPI reporting and periodic audits
- Operational stabilisation and scale plan
Common mistakes NRIs make (and how to avoid them)
- Starting without a structure that supports clean capital infusion and governance
- Skipping feasibility because the idea "feels" right
- Not planning banking/account changes for returnees
- Checking incentives after committing to capex and losing eligibility
- No controls for remote investing: weak reporting, no audits, unclear authority.
Please remember that social environment and regulatory frame work in Kerala might have changed from the day your migrated from Kerala several years back. So, take professional support to validate your understanding and calibrate your strategy.
Active Investment Management
For Investors who can and interested to manage their venture.
RestStop Franchise
Roads are the arteries of the state that connect every Keralite. RestStop is a chain of wayside amenities along the highways of Kerala, at par with global standards, and making road commutation safer and pleasurable.
Wayside amenities along National and State Highways of every district will improve not only the comfort of the people as they travel across the state but also introduce a competitive standard for the private sector to emulate, which in turn will create a better standard of living for society at large.
Each centre will be a modern and comfortable place for one to take a break from their journey, with ideal facilities and landscaped grounds to help relaxation. Each centre will also act as a local community centre and will enrich local economy by creating business opportunities and jobs.
The first node of RestStop at Thalappadi, Kasargod District will be operational in 2026.
If you have a suitable plot or identified one with adequate road frontage, OKIHL will make an initial study through different agencies to confirm suitability, for a nominal fee and then can hand hold and take your interest forward to a great success story.
Based on local demand and plot availability, each investors can select one of the three categories of RestStop for you, based on Plot Size in Acres - Platinum (4 to 5) Gold (2 to 4) and Silver (1 to 2)
OKIHL will facilitate Fuel Station dealership, invite retail operators, manage construction and do operations so that you can enjoy perpetual income without any routine management challenges.
Punyam
Punyam is a high-end pure vegetarian restaurant chain being developed on franchise model by OKIHL, to offer high quality vegetarian food for customer delight.
OKIHL will set the process, policies and standards and will allow suitably qualified NRKs or returned NRKs to operate the same either individually or as a group, initially in RestStop/s and later in other locations, duly upholding legacy of 'God's Own Country.' Expected to be rolled out by Q4, 2026.
Biker's Stop
A cafe and community gathering spot in each of RestStop, with a blend of Indian- American-style diner is an ode to life on two wheels. Adorned with memorabilia and vintage photos on the wall depicting the golden age of motorbiking, this spot attracts riders, enthusiasts and fans without bikes who love the lifestyle. The cafe also hosts a monthly display of the latest bike designs from well-known Indian and international brands.
OKIHL will set the process, policies and standards and will allow suitably qualified NRKs or returned NRKs to operate the same either individually or as a group, initially in RestStop/s and later in other locations. Expected to be rolled out by Q4, 2026.
OKIHL will set the process, policies and standards and will allow suitably qualified NRKs or returned NRKs to operate the same either individually or as a group, initially in RestStop/s and later in other locations, duly upholding legacy of 'God's Own Country.' Expected to be rolled out by Q4, 2026.
Commercial Units within RestStop/s
NRKs and Returned NRKs and their wards have priority in allotting opportunities within RestStop centers, if all other aspects are comparable.
Projects Recommended by Government Agencies
Senior Living Complexes
Sherpa Senior Living Conclave 2025 was conducted on 24th September 2025 inviting prominent business leaders in the real estate sector who have already established Senior Living Apartments in the State. Twenty nine Chief Promoters in the real estate sector and prominent Government officials participated in the Conclave.
The discussions brought together policymakers, experts, and practitioners, including senior living operators and others.
Base on conclave outcome a concept note was submitted to the Government and Sherpa is geared to promote investment in this growing segment of opportunity.
NRIs or Group of NRIs can invest into this growing segment with decent returns and Sherpa can arrange all required support including professional management and marketing.
Certified Opportunities from Government Entities.
- KSIDC
- Kerala Startup Mission
- Tourism
- Others
Passive Investment Management
Investors prefer not to get involved on day-to-day management.
Mutual Funds
In a world where complexity often reigns, passive mutual funds stand out for their simplicity and efficiency. Advantage of investing in Mutual Funds are Professional management, affordable portfolio diversification through investments in different asset classes, Liquidity, Tax benefit in case of ELSS and RGESS funds and regulatory comfort.
Designed to mirror the performance of market indices, passive funds can offer investors an option to create potential long-term growth, without the need for frequent adjustments or intricate strategies. You can invest in diverse asset classes in a hassle-free, relatively cost-effective way for your wealth creation goals.
Mutual Fund offers a variety of NRI investment schemes specifically for NRI investors. Evaluate and select the best category based on your personal preferences - Debt or Equity, Large Cap or Mid Cap. Understand the risk exposure, the type of instruments a fund invests in, the investment style.
- Money Market Funds: Ideal for short-term investments, these funds invest in government debt securities. They are a secure option for parking money for short periods, offering high liquidity and stable returns.
- Debt Funds: These funds focus on investments in government securities and corporate debt instruments, providing a stable income stream with lower risk.
- Hybrid Funds: Offering a balanced mix of equity and debt investments, these funds provide a diversified portfolio in a single package.
- Equity Funds: Targeted at long-term investors, these funds invest in the stock market with the goal of capital appreciation.
- Solution-Oriented Funds: Designed for long-term NRI wealth creation, these funds help with retirement planning and saving for your children's future.
- Index Funds & ETFs: These funds track specific stock market indices, and also offer Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and Fund of Funds for diversified NRI investment opportunities.
Startup Opportunities
Angel Investment
What
Angel Investment is high risk, High Return investment opportunity for high-net-worth NRK or Returned NRK individuals investing personal capital in early-stage startups, typically at the seed or pre-seed rounds. They provide capital, mentorship, and strategic connections to help startups scale.
How
Selected Startups certified by Kerala Startup Mission of Government of Kerala will be allowed to showcase pitch decks and financial models for review of investors in Sherpa Portal. Investors individually or as a group will thereafter deciding on funding after due evaluation. If investing as a group, into a portfolio of startup opportunities, they benefits from the pooled expertise of the group and will spread risk. Sherpa will facilitate such interaction.
When
Startups with early traction or product validation and with decent revenue will be considered as potential candidates for angel investment. Investor will select ventures that fall into their areas of expertise and network circle and thus provide guidance and strategic growth insights for the selected startup venture and help it to grow.
Pre Seed
The Pre-Seed stage is the earliest phase of funding, occurring when founders are first getting their operations off the ground. Often self-funded or supported by "friends and family," this capital is typically used to develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), conduct initial market research, and cover early legal costs. At this stage, the "company" is often just a small team with a prototype or a solid concept.
Seed Fund
Seed funding is the first official equity funding stage. It represents the "seed" from which the company will grow. This capital helps the startup move beyond the prototype phase toward product-market fit. Seed funds are used for key hires, initial marketing, and refining the business model. Investors at this stage usually include Angel Investors and early-stage Venture Capitalists.
Series A
Once a startup has a proven track record - usually in the form of a solid user base, consistent revenue, or other key performance indicators - it moves to Series A. This round is focused on scaling. The goal is to take a successful product and expand it across new markets or optimize the advertising and sales funnel. Series A rounds are typically led by established Venture Capital firms.
VC Fund
A VC Fund is a pooled investment vehicle managed by professional investors (General Partners) who deploy capital into high-growth startups in exchange for equity (ownership). These funds manage money on behalf of Limited Partners (LPs). Unlike traditional loans, VC investment is "risk capital" - the fund seeks high returns to compensate for the high risk of early-stage business failure.
Fund of Funds
A Fund of Funds is an investment strategy where a fund invests in other institutional funds rather than investing directly in stocks, bonds, or startups. In the context of venture capital, an FoF provides investors with diversified exposure by spreading capital across multiple different VC firms. This mitigates risk and allows smaller investors to access top-tier, exclusive funds.
