Seedstars World returns for 3rd time to seek best tech start-up in Sri Lanka

Seedstars World, the largest startup competition for emerging markets and fastgrowing startup scenes is coming to Sri Lanka for the third time, with the pitch event scheduled for October 25, 2018.

This year’s event is supported by the national partner Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), key partners Exetel, Hatch Works and Hemas, ecosystem partner SLASSCOM, local partner Startup Sri Lanka, and media partner Readme.

The companies selected to pitch at the Seedstars Colombo event need to be less than two years old, have raised less than US$ 500,000 in funding and built a minimum viable product, ideally with existing traction. The Seedstars team is searching for one additional criterion: The startup’s regional and global scalability. Selected startups will give a three-minute pitch in English, in front of a jury made up of local startup heavyweights, followed by another five-minute Q&A session. Members of the public and press are welcome to join the fun and should register on the Seedstars Colombo website as an attendee.

The applications are open until October 18, and startups are invited to apply at ‘http://bit. ly/sswcolombo18’.

After a careful screening, the Seedstars team will shortlist eight of the best seedstage startups in Sri Lanka to pitch on October 25 for the opportunity to compete at the Seedstars Summit, that takes place annually in Switzerland. The jury panel that will help Seedstars select the most promising startup in Colombo will be formed by Calcey Technologies Founder and CEO Mangala Karunaratne, Hatch Co-founder Jeevan Gnanam, ICTA Programme Manager Sachindra Samararatne, zmessenger Co-founder and CEO Jayomi Lokuliyana and Seedstars Asia Associate Gabriela Fernandez Scala.

In addition to the pitching event, the eight selected startups will take part in a boot-camp session on October 23, where they will be involved in one on one meetings with local mentors.

The nine mentors joining the boot-camp this year will be ICTA Project Manager Ahamed Nishadh, Calcey Technologies Founder and CEO Mangala Karunaratne, Startupx Foundry Program Manager Aloka Gunasekara, PODI JOBS Founder/owner Yusra Aziz-eliyas, Boost Metrics (Pvt.) Ltd Founder and CEO Joey Perera, Crowdisland CEO Chalinda Abeykoon, Radical Ledger Technologies Founder Chim Himidumage, Calcey Technologies Sales and Product Marketing Director Mudith Uswatta and Seedstars Asia Associate Giovanni Corradini.

ICTA CEO Damith Hettihewa said: “We are delighted to engage with Seedstars and SLASSCOM to host this year’s local pitching competition as the national partner.

The ICTA has consistently supported the growth of Sri Lanka’s startup ecosystem and believe that tech startups have the true potential to economically transform Sri Lanka. We encourage all Tech Startups to apply and make full use of this great opportunity to shine.”