KOCHI: 'ValueMentor' - A global company in the field of cyber security. Founders are Fort Kochi native Binoy Koonammavu and his wife Angela Maria. The venture started as a startup in 2014 at Infopark's Thrissur campus. Today, it has roots in 25 countries, including the US. There have been many opportunities to relocate the company to any foreign country. However, Binoy says that they are not leaving Kerala. No matter how much ValueMentor grows, the company's main hub will be Kerala.

The venture was started as a startup at a time when cybersecurity was not given much consideration. Initially, it had five employees. Now, it has 150. It will increase to 300 next year.

The company provides services that secure digital transactions and data. It became a global company from a startup with the recognition of services including detecting and preventing security threats.

It provides services in 25 countries, including the USA, Canada, and the UAE. It has marketing offices in eight countries. 80 percent of its clients are abroad. The project centre, where all the employees work, is in Thrissur Infopark. Binoy started the venture with his wife Angela and friends Jobin Thomas and Mridul Menon as co-founders. The goal is to become one of the world's 10 largest companies in cybersecurity.

Computer craze during pre-degree

Binoy started liking computers during his pre-degree. He wanted to study computer science for his degree, but he did not get a seat due to limited seats. He studied network solutions. His first job was in Coimbatore. Later, he joined an international company in Technopark. Due to his excellence in cyber security, he became the head of the information security department of a large bank in the Gulf.

He obtained several international certificates and recognitions in cyber security. After that, he started a startup in Kerala.