Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurial ecosystem received a powerful boost as the National Institute of Business Management (NIBM) hosted its highly anticipated Neo Ventures – Startup Awareness Program on June 19. The event brought together a diverse audience of students, young professionals, and aspiring entrepreneurs eager to explore the possibilities of building their own businesses in today’s dynamic global economy.
Held under the umbrella of NIBM’s ambitious Neo Ventures initiative, the program aimed to inspire, educate, and connect participants with some of Sri Lanka’s most accomplished business leaders, innovation experts, and startup mentors. True to its mission, Neo Ventures continued its efforts to transform academic learning into actionable entrepreneurial ventures, equipping the next generation with the mindset and tools necessary for startup success.
The evening featured a distinguished panel of industry thought leaders who shared valuable insights drawn from their extensive experience in building and leading successful organizations:
* Dr. D.M.A. Kulasooriya – Director General, NIBM
* Heminda Jayaweera – Executive Director, TRACE Expert City
* Heshan Karunarathna – President, Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL)
* Dr. Sankalpa Gamwarige – Managing Director, Nagarro
* Kanishka Weeramunda – Founder & CEO, PayMedia
The panelists shared a wealth of experience, addressing both the opportunities and obstacles that entrepreneurs face as they build startups in today’s competitive markets. Discussions ranged from identifying viable business models and building effective teams to attracting investors, leveraging technology, and achieving sustainable growth. Each speaker offered candid reflections on their own journeys highlighting not only the successes but also the setbacks and lessons that shaped their entrepreneurial paths.
The Neo Ventures initiative, under which the event was organized, has quickly gained recognition as a unique model that blends academic learning with real-world application. Unlike traditional educational programs that primarily focus on theoretical knowledge, Neo Ventures encourages participants to actively develop business ideas, validate them through mentorship, and pursue viable paths to market entry. The initiative also promotes the development of essential entrepreneurial skills such as critical thinking, adaptability, leadership, and innovation.
One of the key strengths of the program is its strong link with industry networks and its access to a growing pool of experienced mentors, investors, and startup enablers. Through partnerships with leading organizations such as TRACE Expert City, Nagarro, and PayMedia, participants gain invaluable exposure to Sri Lanka’s emerging innovation landscape while building connections that can accelerate their startup journeys.
As Sri Lanka seeks to strengthen its knowledge economy and foster job creation, initiatives like Neo Ventures play an increasingly important role. By empowering young people to take ownership of their ideas and transform them into tangible businesses, NIBM continues to position itself at the forefront of educational innovation, preparing a new generation of entrepreneurs who can contribute meaningfully to national development.
The success of the Startup Awareness Program reaffirmed the growing appetite among Sri Lankan youth for entrepreneurship and innovation. With the continued support of academic institutions, industry leaders, and government stakeholders, Sri Lanka’s startup ecosystem holds tremendous potential to expand in the coming years, offering new opportunities for growth, employment, and global competitiveness.
As Neo Ventures progresses, NIBM plans to expand its support system with structured incubation programs, seed funding opportunities, and access to global startup networks. These future steps aim to strengthen the entrepreneurial pipeline, ensuring that promising ideas are not only born but are also nurtured into scalable and impactful businesses.
In the long run, Neo Ventures reflects NIBM’s long-term vision to position Sri Lanka as a thriving innovation hub in South Asia, a place where young entrepreneurs are empowered to build globally competitive ventures while solving local challenges with home-grown solutions.
