EDEX Expo 2024: Entrepreneur Arena, aims at bringing together budding entrepreneurs from all across the country

Launched in 2004, EDEX, Sri Lanka’s longest running education expo and job fair has spearheaded many initiatives aligned to its vision of “empowering Sri Lankan youth to be globally competitive”. Whatever it is you may be looking for; higher education, job opportunities, advice and guidance on a career path or entrepreneurship, to donate books, or even a mix of all of these and more, will be happening at the EDEX Expo, 2024, on the 9th, 10th and 11th of February at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Center (SLECC), in Colombo and on the 17th & 18th of February at the Kandy

City Center (KCC), in Kandy.

While EDEX has been successful in bridging the gaps between Sri Lanka’s youth with education and employment, an additional sustainable opportunity that EDEX promotes to the youth is Entrepreneurship. EDEX envisions that if more youth are engaged in entrepreneurship, more employment opportunities can be created for the citizens of the country. With this in mind “EDEX Entrepreneur”, an initiative that aims to create a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators to compete in the global market, was formed.

At this year’s EDEX exhibition, EDEX Entrepreneur will be presenting “The Entrepreneurs Arena”, where they will facilitate on-site, one-to-one discussion sessions on entrepreneurship such as motivating you on taking the initiative, guidance on the startup process, technical competencies and awareness on programmes supporting entrepreneurial ventures, to potential entrepreneurs who visit the exhibition to transform their business ideas and concepts to a realistic business proposal.

Furthermore, during the expo, EDEX orchestrates free seminars that feature presentations by experts, influencers, and key figures in their respective domains. These seminars are designed to inspire and educate emerging talents amongst the youth, in their respective areas of interest.

This year “The Entrepreneur Arena” will be partnering with the National Enterprise Development Authority (NEDA), a government supported programme to promote, support, encourage, and facilitate enterprise development within Sri Lanka, with special emphasis on micro, small, and medium enterprises and Hatch, an establishment created to provide mentoring, incubation and accelerating entrepreneurial ventures by motivating them to experiment, acquire knowledge and share experiences within a creative coworking space.

“At EDEX, we perceive entrepreneurship to be a valuable opportunity for the enterprising youth of Sri Lanka, especially in the present state of the economy, and we are confident that the Entrepreneurs Arena at the EDEX Expo 2024 at SLECC, along with the participation of NEDA and Hatch, will be an invaluable opportunity that is not to be missed.” Mr. Mahinda Galagedera, Chairman, EDEX. In commemoration of its 20th anniversary, the EDEX Expo will introduce several new features and enhanced benefits, including the incorporation of cutting-edge technology, to ensure a seamless and stress-free experience for all participants to explore the myriad opportunities it has to offer.

If you’re after A/L’s and wondering what to do next or if you are considering upgrading your qualifications or even looking for a job, or planning to elevate your career to the next level; to know all the choices, options and opportunities you have at your disposal, you must visit the EDEX Expo, which will kick off at 9:30 am and conclude at 6:00 pm on all days in Colombo, while in Kandy, it will run from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.