“John Keells X” is a four month open innovation challenge organized by John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH), aimed at galvanising the creative and intellectual talent of the public, in a competition format. This challenge is open to any individual or team that wishes to present world-class disruptive innovative ideas and will stand the chance of winning up to Rs. 3 million in prize money and potentially further funding for commercial ventures.

John Keells X seeks individuals and teams with imaginative minds, a sense of design and a high degree of self-motivation.The ethos of the challenge is to provide a platform for innovative ideas that can disrupt traditional business models, and open new markets and new avenues for enhancing customer experiences and improving operational efficiencies of businesses. 

The disruptive innovation ideas which are sought through this challenge,are preferably those that are related to the core industry sectors which JKH is currently engaged in, these beingTransportation, Leisure, Consumer Food and Retail, Property, Financial Services, Information Technology and Plantation Services. However, John Keells X also welcomes applications in areas which provide linkages to the above core industries.

Those who wish to participate in this challenge, can register online at www.johnkeellsx.com before August 10th2016. The website also contains more information about the challenge, including details of the selection process which will commence in August with the “Open Day” and continue to the “Demo Day” in October2016. During this time, the shortlisted applicants will not only get the opportunity to meet their peers but also interact with the leadership of the John Keells Group, through a series of events. 

Interaction with John Keells X does not end with ‘Demo Day’; the relationships built with JKH will help individuals and teams to better understand the surrounding factors which need to be considered when navigating the tough path of a start-up.. JKH may also help promising start-ups to secure long term funding if they meet the benchmarks set by the Group. 

JKH is Sri Lanka’s largest listed conglomerateon the Colombo Stock Exchange. From the largest inventory of hotel rooms in Sri Lanka, owning a large private-sector-owned transportation business in the country and providing port and marine fuel services to IT solutions, manufacturing of food and beverages,running a chain of supermarkets, tea broking,  stock broking, banking and real estate, JKH has made its presence felt in virtually every major sphere of the economy.  (www.keells.com)