Written by: Rtr. Sanduni Sandeepa

The Youth Entrepreneurship Summit (YES ’26), organized by the Professional Development Avenue of the Rotaract Club of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, returns to supercharge the raw potential of Sri Lanka’s next generation business leaders.

YES ’26 drove youth innovation through three key phases. First, the Entrepreneurial Edge Workshop helped participants develop skills and refine their business ideas. Next, teams entered a Shark Tank-style arena to pitch concepts to investors for funding. Finally, a leadership forum featured expert speakers sharing insights on scaling businesses and building long-term resilience.

Phase 1: Entrepreneurial Edge Workshop

The journey started with the Entrepreneurial Edge Workshop, led by Mr. Tharindu Suraj (Founder and CEO of SRO Robotics) He inspired the new innovators from both categories to bring their business ideas to life. Aligning directly with Quality Education (SDG 4), this session went beyond traditional learning by equipping participants with practical skills, foundational tools, and creative problem-solving techniques. Through his hands-on guidance, competitors learned how to refine their raw concepts into structured, high-potential projects. This immersive educational experience gave the teams the confidence and knowledge needed to prepare for the next competitive stage.

Phase 2: Shark Tank-Style Pitching Arena

In the Shark Tank-style arena, top-tier investors spoke directly with the innovators to review presentations and ask sharp questions. The elite panel included Ms. Dilini Ekanayaka, Co-Founder of Asyncdot Private Limited representing TRACE Expert City, and Mr. Pamith Jayawickrama from the Operations Team at the Lankan Angel Network. This phase actively advanced Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9) by building a direct bridge between raw youth ingenuity and established industrial frameworks. Beyond evaluating financial viability, the judges provided personalized guidance on overcoming early operational challenges, avoiding risks, and upgrading baseline concepts into market-ready businesses. This intense feedback loop turned a simple pitch competition into a valuable masterclass in resilience and scalable growth.

Phase 3: The Leadership Forum

The event concluded with a high-value forum featuring three elite industry experts who shared actionable strategies to promote Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8) and sustainable practices (SDG 12) for long-term business success.

Ms. Niluka Jayasinghe (Founder & Managing Director of Global Bookkeeping Solutions (Pvt) Ltd.) opened the session by defining the core traits of a successful entrepreneur. She mapped out the critical mindset shift required to turn a raw innovation into a viable, market-ready business while delivering an inspiring message to the younger generation.

Mr. Muditha Senarath Yapa (Chief Innovation Officer of the National Innovation Agency) then demystified national ecosystem opportunities and government support available for startups. He highlighted how young founders can leverage active governmental policies, national innovation initiatives, and specific resources provided by the National Innovation Agency.

Ms. Olu Jayasooriya (Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BRISCA) started discussion by addressing modern business challenges and rapid technological shifts. She provided strategic insights on how entrepreneurs can navigate current market obstacles, adapt to emerging business trends, and safely use AI as an aid for scalable growth.

The competition featured two main tracks, School and Open,where a rigorous screening process narrowed a large pool of competitive teams down to the top 10 finalists. Separate panels of distinguished experts evaluated the pitches across two levels to ensure a fair assessment during the high-energy, physical final round held at the Engineering Faculty of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. This massive success was made possible through the vital support of partners TRACE, Lankan Angel Network, Lanka Printers(Pvt)Ltd, and Frame Fusion Studio, who championed the mission to empower the next generation.

The YES ’26 summit earned highly positive feedback, giving school competitors life-changing exposure and confidence to pitch to venture capitalists. In the School Category, Maliyadewa Balika Vidyalaya won the 10,000 LKR top prize (Coco Crunch Milk Biscuit) and 1st Runner Up, while Bandaranayake College took 2nd Runner Up. The Open Category awarded the 10,000 LKR winning prize to R .M .K .C.Rathnayaka (Gourmultt Pet Food), with D S W Pathirana and the duo of Ishaq Ahamed & Thiyani Basnayake securing the runner-up spots. 

The dedication of the 25-member organizing committee, led by Rtr. Sihas Dissanayaka, was key to the success of YES ’26. Despite tight timelines and tough obstacles, the team worked hard behind the scenes to solve every problem. Their unity and quick thinking turned complex challenges into smooth transitions across all event phases. Ultimately, this teamwork ensured the summit ran flawlessly and ended on a high note. 

YES ’26 celebrated incredible talent while building a powerful network of future change-makers. Ending on a high note of inspiration, the summit proved it is a benchmark for youth entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka. The teamwork between innovators, investors, speakers, and organizers has built a strong foundation for even greater innovation ahead.

Graphic Design by: Rtr.