COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – November 30, 2022 – In true spirit of the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) 2022, Microsoft celebrated local entrepreneurs for their ability to unleash ideas and unlock potential as key drivers of economic growth, at an event held recently at the Microsoft Sri Lanka Office.
To commemorate the GEW campaign locally, the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka invited several partner organizations to host a series of events island wide from the 14th to 20th November 2022.
The Microsoft event featured successful tech entrepreneurs within the Microsoft ecosystem, who shared their entrepreneurial journey, and demonstrated their platforms and solutions to encourage the new generation of entrepreneurs to kickstart their own innovative ventures.
“It’s great to have Microsoft joining GEW as a partner and organizing a session for entrepreneurs. This year, GEW Sri Lanka was able to activate the entrepreneur ecosystem in all parts of the country through 50+ passionate ecosystem builders who came on board to support the cause,” said Sachindra Samararatne, Associate Chief Digital Economy Officer at ICTA and National Ambassador of Global Entrepreneurship Network.
Lashan Silva – CEO and Founder of Enhanzer, a company that helps businesses across the world to automate their mission-critical business processes with its fully scalable eZuite Modern Cloud ERP Platform, Harinda Fonseka – CEO and Founder of gudppl, Sri Lanka’s first and only social network dedicated for all volunteering and philanthropy, and Viranga Kekulawala – CEO and Founder of EIMSKY, a software company that focused accelerating digital transformation with Workflow Digitization Platform, also emphasised on the support provided by Microsoft in helping them to achieve more.
“I would like to thank the ICTA for initiating the Global Entrepreneurship Week in Sri Lanka and bringing together the local entrepreneur community and enablers of the startup ecosystem to recognize the country’s entrepreneurial spirit and capabilities. Entrepreneurs have the power to transform and impact our communities and we look forward to further galvanize this community to push the envelope of innovation, taking Sri Lanka to the world stage,” said Harsha Randeny, Country Manager for Microsoft Sri Lanka & Maldives.
As an enabler in the local startup industry for the past 18 years, Microsoft continues to play a leading role in nurturing a culture of entrepreneurship. The company provides resources, mentorship, and guidance through a range of programs including Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub, Imagine Cup competition and Independent Software Vendor success program to help local entrepreneurs develop digital capabilities and skills, to unlock new opportunities.