Shijo K Thomas, CEO of Oxygen The Digital Expert, reflected on his 25-year journey in the digital industry, sharing insights on entrepreneurship, digital literacy, and opportunities for startups in Kerala. He described starting his business accidentally, with no prior experience or family background in business, using his father’s pension to set up operations in a 100 sq. ft. space. Over the years, he witnessed the evolution of technology from personal computers to smartphones, laptops, and now innovations in AI and cybersecurity.
Highlighting Kerala’s strong digital literacy, Shijo emphasized that full digital adoption could propel the state to the next level. He also discussed the crucial role of women in the workforce, particularly those returning after career breaks, praising their professionalism and talent, and stressing the importance of mentorship, skill development, and supportive work environments.
On entrepreneurship, he advised business owners to adopt long-term visions, exercise patience, build scalable systems, and take calculated risks. According to him, many startups stagnate after achieving initial success, but sustained growth requires strategy, team-building, and innovation.
Shijo sees significant opportunities in sectors beyond software, such as agriculture, food processing, and electronics manufacturing. He encouraged initiatives like Kudumbashree units to focus on hardware production, skill training, and tapping into export potential.
He praised Kerala’s civic behavior, diversity, and literacy, noting that the state ranks highly in surveys assessing social and economic indicators. Shijo believes the combination of digital literacy, entrepreneurial spirit, and innovative foundations will create lasting growth in Kerala, benefiting both the state and companies like Oxygen.
