Kandy IT/BPM Week holds workshop for entrepreneurs, exporters

Section of audience at Kandy IT/BPM Week Export Forum and Entrepreneurship Workshop

The Kandy IT/BPM Week’s event focusing on entrepreneurs and exporters, organised by the Sri Lanka Association for Software and Services Companies (SLASSCOM) together with the Export Development Board (EDB), was held recently at Queens’s Hotel, Kandy. 

The first half of the event focused on how exporters could leverage through the existing eco–system to grow their businesses and take their products to the global marketplace. Case studies and success stories were shared with 200 exporters and entrepreneurs who attended the event, providing them insights to challenges, opportunities and support available in the country.

The current market potential in different international markets and support available from the government was presented by EDB Director Export Services Saman Maldeni. ICTA Programme Manager Industry Development Programme Sachindra Samararatne shared insights on national IT/BPM strategy and the digital Sri Lanka plan. This was followed by a talk on how technology is disrupting exports by SECQUORO Consulting Founder/CEO Naresh Abeysekera citing trends and examples technology development impacting international trade.

Square Mobile Founder Tharindu Dasanayake shared the story of Square Mobile at the forum followed by a research-backed presentation on the findings from the SLASSCOM study on the potential for setting up a BPM operation in Kandy by Ernst & Young Senior Director Praveen Ruberu. 
The second half of the programme featured a though provoking entrepreneurship workshop, which commenced with the launch of the report ‘Country Overview of the Start-up Ecosystem in Sri Lanka’ initiated by Start-up Sri Lanka - A SLASSCOM initiative providing insights on growth barriers,

opportunities, skills and future outlook for start-ups in Sri Lanka compiled through surveying 300 participants including, entrepreneurs, investors and key stakeholders. The report was formally launched by SLASSCOM Chairman Mano Sekaram and SLASSCOM Vice Chairman and Entrepreneurship Forum Head Ruwindhu Peiris. This report can be accessed online via www.slasscom.lk/reports

The launch was followed by three inspiring knowledge-sharing sessions by entrepreneurs and investors in the IT/BPM industry: Stax Managing Director Ruwindhu Peiris, Calcey Technologies CEO/Founder Mangala Karunaratne, Cinergix CEO and Co-Founder Chandika Jayasundara and OpenArc Systems Management (Pvt.) Ltd Chairman/CEO Daya Hettiarachchi, who spoke about their experiences starting businesses in Sri Lanka, insights about the local start-up ecosystem and policy and industry initiatives, which are required to develop the ecosystem further. The programme also featured i-Helmet inventor Ganidu Nanayakkara, who shared the journey of creating his brainchild. 
The programme wrapped up in a high note with a segment where the participants were able to pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges for validation. This interactive session was well received by the participants who capitalized on the platform offered for them to obtain advice and validation. The judges of the panel included the speakers of the entrepreneurship workshop and Talliance Director Ashique M. Ali.