The Hack Like a Girl 2.0 Hackathon, a key initiative to empower women in tech, concluded its successful Grand Finale recently. Organized by the SLASSCOM Women Technopreneurs Forum, the event brought together talented women from Sri Lankan universities to showcase their creativity, technical skills, and entrepreneurial spirit.
A Platform for Innovation and Empowerment: Building on the success of its inaugural edition in 2022, Hack Like a Girl 2.0 expanded to three regional chapters, offering women from diverse backgrounds the chance to participate. Running from July to November 2024, the hackathon focused on solving real-world issues in health, education, sustainability, agriculture, and tourism through technology. The theme, “Innovating for a Better Tomorrow,” inspired impactful solutions.
The journey began with regional Mini Hackathons, focusing on the North & East, Central and Southern & Western regions, on the 2nd & 3rd of November, where teams competed to qualify for the Grand Finale. These events served as incubators for creativity and teamwork, showcasing the exceptional talent and potential of female tech undergraduates.
The Grand Finale brought together 12 outstanding teams, each presenting innovative solutions to a distinguished panel of judges: Shehan Selvanayagam, Managing Director – Loops, Dr Buddhima Subasinghe, Head, Student Life & Engagement, NIBM, Dr Kalpana Ambepitiya, Director Career Guidance Unit – KDU, Senior Lecturer – Entrepreneurship & Marketing, NIBM and Abith Latiff, Head of Startup Ecosystem Development, ICT Agency of Sri Lanka. The atmosphere was electric as participants demonstrated their projects, blending technical expertise with a keen understanding of societal needs.
Winning teams from Sabaragamuwa University, Vavuniya University, and IIT-KDU impressed with projects like a mobile app for child health tracking, a smart cane for the visually impaired, and a tour guide app with integrated hotel reservations.
The event featured inspiring speeches from Dr. Ruwani Nilushi Nugara, Professor at the Department of Bio Systems Technology, University of Sri Jayawardenepura. Dr. Kalpana Ambepitiya, and Thanuja Jayawardene, Head of Women’s Empowerment, Advocacy & Code of Conduct at MAS Holdings
The hackathon was made possible through the unwavering support of Collaboration Partner Royal Norwegian Embassy and Platinum Sponsor MAS Holdings, as well as the many mentors and judges of the mini hackathons.
A Step Toward Bridging the Gender Gap in Tech :Hack Like a Girl 2.0 bridges the gender gap in tech and inspires future women technopreneurs. Winning teams will receive funding in phases based on deliverables, offering a platform for women to showcase their skills and ideas.
Founded in 2020, the Women Technopreneurs Forum of SLASSCOM aims to foster female-led tech startups and contribute to the goal of 1,000 new startups by 2030. Starting with 14 members, it has grown to 110 entrepreneurs, empowering women through programs supported by sponsors and partners. These initiatives are designed to help women at various stages of their entrepreneurial journey. The hackathon’s impact will continue to inspire women to innovate and lead, paving the way for more female-led startups in Sri Lanka.
