Business
Venture Engine shortlists ‘Sri Lanka’s Top Fundable Startups’
Prepares for February 23 Finale, which successfully concludes its tenth edition
Venture Engine, Sri Lanka’s pioneering startup acceleration program, has entered the final phase of its tenth edition with the selection of its top 10 grouping of finalists. The program’s next, and final, stage is the showcasing of these finalists to potential investors as “Sri Lanka’s Top Fundable Startups” at the Venture Engine finale, which is slated for the 23rd of February 2022.
“Sri Lanka’s Top Fundable Startups” representing the tenth edition of Venture Engine include one-to-one online tutoring platform Tutopiya (EdTech); peer-to-peer lender Helios (FinTech); ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ platform, Mint Pay (FinTech); Non Fungible Token (NFT) marketplace Hyperglade (Web 3.0); and home improvement services, like plumbing, carpentry, domestic help, etc, accessible online via Better App (Consumer).
Additionally, the “Sri Lanka’s Top Fundable Startups” group of finalists will be rounded out by SaaS-based enterprise front office visitor tracking and management software HireTrace (SaaS); plastic recycler Chakra Sutra; SaaS-based Insurance software, Surecore (SaaS); sports coaching platform Knod Corp PTE; and palm based products maker Palm2Go (Consumer).
Having survived several weeks of exhaustive preparation, including multiple rounds of pitching and filtering, as well as six workshops on vital topics like business plans, valuations and funding cycles, Go To Market strategies, and financial and legal essentials; these finalists are now highly prepared to make their final pitches to the high-powered gathering of local and international investors expected to attend the program’s Finale on the 23rd of February 2022.
Now successfully concluding its tenth edition, Venture Engine is geared towards helping innovative and scalable startups solve a genuine pain point. It is founded by BOV Capital and the Indian Angel Network, and partnered by the Lankan Angel Network (LAN). The Ford Foundation is the tenth edition’s Platinum Sponsor.
Further, Venture Engine will, for the fourth time, reward one of its participants in the for-profit social enterprise space with a very special Impact Entrepreneurship Award, which is once again being given out by Indian Venture Capital firm Aavishkaar, Venture Engine’s Gold Sponsor. Other sponsors and partners for this edition include ICTA, SL@100, Council for Startups, SLASSCOM, HATCH, Dialog Axiata PLC, KPMG, PwC, AOD, Shift and CPP.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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