Precision farming, resilient crops, sustainable agriculture, and food processing innovation
The Vision
Build a practical, collaborative home for entrepreneurs in Southern Sri Lanka
It will bring together shared initiatives, workspaces, local and international talent, cultural assets, and investment to help people grow businesses with social and economic impact.
The Hub will serve as a catalyst for the South: creating jobs, keeping talent in the region, attracting expertise from the diaspora, and strengthening communities through creativity, innovation, and collaboration.
It will position Southern Sri Lanka as a model for sustainable regional growth.
Strategic Objectives
Founder & SME Development
Build a strong, inclusive pipeline of southern entrepreneurs through structured training, mentorship, and incubation in AgriTech, Maritech, TravelTech, and Heritage.
Ecosystem Integration
Create structured pathways linking academia, investors, accelerators, corporates, and government into a connected, transparent southern ecosystem.
Cultural Innovation & Growth
Leverage the South's cultural, natural, and productive strengths to expand regional entrepreneurship and exports through digital tools and modern market access.
Impact Measurement
Embed transparency and data-driven credibility across all initiatives with standardized IMM frameworks and public reporting.
Impact Fund
Establish a micro-fund for early-stage startups and SMEs, piloting blended finance models combining grants, loans, and revenue-based funding.
Priority Innovation Sectors
Supporting ventures grounded in Southern strengths
Fisheries modernization, aquaculture, coastal enterprises, and ocean technology
Maritech
Digital experiences, booking platforms, hospitality innovation, and destination storytelling
TravelTech
Batik, beeralu, woodcraft, pottery, and traditional practices, preserved and reimagined through innovation.
Heritage
The Roadmap
A phased approach from validation to sustainable impact
Year 1
Validate & Partner
Test real demand through lean, collaborative pilots
- Initiate Southern Founder Meetups
- Initiate Student Entrepreneurship Pathways & Support
- Launch SME Tourism Digitization pilot program
- Promote Craft capability & artisan training networks
- Launch Blue Ocean Hackathon
Year 2
Measure & Build
Scale successful pilots into flagship programs
- Expand Founder Meetups and knowledge-exchange sessions
- Expand Student Entrepreneurship Pathways & Support programs
- Refine and repeat Blue Ocean Hackathon
- Establish Craft capability & artisan training program
- Roll out further regional SME training
Years 3–5
Scale & Sustain
Transform into a lasting innovation engine
- Launch Venture Studio
- Establish micro fund
- Establish Impact Export Platform
- Formalize Institutional partnerships
- Create the Founder Clubhouse, the Southern Innovation Hub physical space
- Establish annual Southern Innovation flagship event
Guiding Principles
Values that shape every decision and action
Build together
Re-use where possible and grow through strong partnerships
Prove before you scale
Test ideas, show results, then expand
Keep it clean
Stay transparent and steer clear of politics
Think global, act local
Apply global know-how to solve local problems
Include and respect
Welcome everyone but honour the Southern Sri Lankan culture
Share openly
Publish data and outcomes to build trust across the community
Built by Founders
Meet some of the visionaries driving innovation and entrepreneurship in Southern Sri Lanka.
Pubudu Wanigasekara
Founder, EN2H
AI for Businesses, Media Technology, and AI + User Experience.
Madushani Kariyawasam
Founder, Knoweb
Helping Businesses Grow with Smart Operations.
Sahan Ranasinghe
Founder, Sanota
Helping Industries Scale Production, Efficiency & Profitability Through Smart Engineering.
Kosala Indrasiri
CEO, Sanmark Solutions
Working with HubSpot Partners to Keep Their Clients Happy with Custom HubSpot Integrations.
Heminda Jayaweera
Co-Founder & Director, 3H Innovations
Serial Innovator and Entrepreneur | Eisenhower Fellow. Driving innovation and entrepreneurship from Sri Lanka.
Nadeesha Gayan
Co-Founder
Technology entrepreneur and innovation advocate from Southern Sri Lanka.
Eyas Fazul
Creative Director, RealTalk Media
Building sustainable living through innovation and creativity.
Revatha Shah
Founder, Vedda and Sarana
Building community-centric businesses that celebrate the Sri Lankan identity.
Keerthi Kodithuwakku
CEO, Jendo Innovations
Visionary biomedical technopreneur leading groundbreaking innovations.
Mangala Karunaratne
Founder & CEO, Calcey
Dad x 2 | Founder & CEO @Calcey, asaya.lk, angel investor. Leading a boutique professional services firm specialized in developing digital products for global clients.
Jude Herath
Co-Founder, Mindful Retreats
Entrepreneur and innovation advocate from Southern Sri Lanka.
Kesara Bandaragoda
Co-Founder
Entrepreneur and innovation advocate from Southern Sri Lanka.