Business
Grow opens new Sri Lanka office to aid the adoption of blockchain and Web 3.0
Sri Lanka is aligning with innovation and accelerating into a new, digital-centric space, with the government working to create an inviting regulatory environment for blockchain use-cases to flourish, offering the country fresh and entirely new economic verticals.
One such enterprise capitalizing on Sri Lanka’s progressive approach to emerging technology markets such as Metaverse and Web 3.0 , is start-up incubator and 360 service provider, Grow. Recognizing the exciting growth potential that Southern Asia has to offer, the company has set up an operating base in Colombo, a move they hope will inspire others to follow.
The team’s new office, which is situated in One Galle Face Tower, recently welcomed the Sri Lankan Cabinet Minister for Youth and Sports, Namal Rajapaska to its opening. “We are proud and happy to have you guys here as young entrepreneurs in the blockchain technology sector, and taking Sri Lanka, leading Sri Lanka into the new era. As a government, myself, my secretaries here, the central bank, deputy governors, all of us, are excited to be here today and to welcome you all.”
“I’m sure this is going to be the incubator for many, many start-ups on the blockchain technology opportunities that are coming out in Sri Lanka and also in the region. So, congratulations, and our support is there. So, we want to see you working hard. I can assure that we as a government will support you 100pct. There are certain positive changes that we are looking at to facilitate you more in this part of the industry, and we will look at that in a very positive way and work together going forward,” Rajapaska said.
Speaking from the opening celebration, Founder and CEO, Peter Carroll said, “New technological economies are combining with widespread technological infrastructure and forming the building blocks of our economic future. The ways in which they are utilized and regulated will define social mobility for the youth of today. At Grow we firmly believe these times are part of a shift, from the innovation phase of a technology breakout to the early adoption phase of the blockchain based industries of Web 3.0.”
“As the opportunities unfold, we are seeing huge potential in Blockchain Gaming and the Metaverse, we believe with forward thinking leadership Sri Lanka can take a central role as an ecosystem driver for these fresh and exciting verticals.”
Sri Lanka and Port City Colombo, if developed correctly, could become one of the world’s leading hubs for frontier technologies. If the government can facilitate a “sandbox” environment for Web 3.0’s brightest minds, then the seeds of innovation may have fertile soil on which to grow. The opportunity is clearly one that excites Carroll.
“I mean, think about it, what drives an entrepreneur? Building! We build ideas, products, and businesses, so what could be more exciting than being here in Colombo and helping to build the people, economy, and tech infrastructure of a $120bn state-of-the-art Smart City? For us, the answer is simple: nothing! We want to engage with the Blue Chip companies of Web 3.0 like Animoca Brands, Polygon and encourage them to help us drive opportunity, to educate and build traction because we believe Central and Southern Asia can drive real adoption.”
GROW provide Web3 builders with idea curation, marketing support and an advisory network of leading experts in an effort to facilitate real world impact of blockchain technology. Let’s Grow Together. For more information, visit www.thegrowgroup.com.
Company stresses ambition to surpass this milestone
Eyes markets across Africa and beyond
In a groundbreaking achievement for Sri Lanka’s IT and electronics manufacturing industry, EWIS Colombo Ltd, the country’s first and only local computer manufacturer, has successfully exported its first consignment of locally built laptops to Zimbabwe.
This landmark event not only positions Sri Lanka as an emerging force in global IT hardware manufacturing but also highlights EWIS’s commitment to innovation, quality, and excellence on the international stage.
This historic shipment, dispatched from EWIS’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Samajasewapura, Sooriyawewa, underscores the company’s dedication to delivering world-class technology solutions. With over 11 years of expertise in manufacturing and assembly, EWIS Colombo Ltd has played a pivotal role in driving Sri Lanka’s ICT sector forward. As a Board of Investment (BOI) Section 17-approved company, EWIS has established the country’s first and only local computer manufacturing plant, paving the way for the nation’s growth in high-tech exports.
Speaking on this momentous achievement, Sanjeewa Wickramanayake, Chairman of EWIS Colombo Ltd, said: “This milestone is not just for EWIS but for Sri Lanka as a whole. It proves that our country has the talent, capability, and ambition to manufacture and export high-quality IT products, competing confidently on the global stage. As we continue expanding beyond local markets, we take immense pride in showcasing Sri Lanka’s excellence in technology and innovation to the world. EWIS’s commitment to world-class quality is reinforced by its ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, CE, FCC, and RoHS certifications, ensuring compliance with international quality, safety, and environmental standards.”
Speaking further he said:
“For nearly four decades, EWIS has been a trailblazer in Sri Lanka’s ICT sector, delivering cutting-edge solutions for education, businesses, and government enterprises.
With over 11 years of local manufacturing and assembly expertise, EWIS has continuously refined its capabilities to produce high-quality, internationally competitive IT hardware. The successful export to Zimbabwe represents a bold step toward expanding EWIS’s global footprint, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s potential as a world-class technology and manufacturing hub.”
The International Institute of Health Sciences (IIHS), a pioneer in healthcare training for over 23 years, has partnered with the University of Surrey, UK, to revolutionise healthcare education in Sri Lanka and the broader South Asian region. This will create a world-class academic pathway for aspiring nursing and healthcare professionals, as well as young individuals seeking careers in the field. Under this agreement, IIHS and the University of Surrey will introduce a series of academic initiatives to enhance healthcare training and accessibility.
These include delivering internationally recognised nursing programmes that allow Sri Lankan and regional students to earn globally competitive qualifications in Sri Lanka.
Commenting on the move, Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe, CEO & Dean of Undergraduate Studies at IIHS, said: “This MOU marks a significant step in our mission to deliver world-class healthcare education to Sri Lanka and the region. IIHS remains dedicated to shaping the future of healthcare professionals and fostering global healthcare leadership.” Dr. Shelini Surendran, Associate Dean (International) at the University of Surrey, emphasised: “Sri Lanka is establishing itself as a regional education hub, and this partnership ensures students across Asia can access top-tier UK healthcare education at IIHS. By bridging academic excellence with accessibility, we provide students with a clear pathway to their professional goals.”
Dialog Television, Sri Lanka’s #1 Pay-TV service provider, has partnered with Emerging Media to enhance the convenience and effectiveness of advertising. This collaboration brings together Dialog Television’s world-class entertainment, featuring 18 advertisable channels across genres such as movies, edutainment, kids, music, sports, and local content, with Emerging Media’s expertise in digital advertising and targeted marketing. This synergy creates a seamless platform for businesses to maximize brand exposure across multiple channels.
With a reach of over 1.7 million households, Dialog Television provides advertisers with a powerful avenue to engage diverse audiences. Brands can place advertisements on leading international and local channels such as &flix, Star Movies, TLC, Animal Planet, AXN, Zee Café, Comedy Central, Star Plus, A+, Nickelodeon, Star Vijay, Zee Tamil, Star Sports, Ten Cricket, Sony SIX, ThePapare TV, Channel One, Citi Hitz and Channel C. Through this partnership, Emerging Media will facilitate advertising sales, allowing businesses to target specific viewer segments while simplifying the media buying process with a single point of contact.
Commenting on the partnership, Lim Li San, Group Chief Operating Officer at Dialog Axiata PLC, stated, “As Sri Lanka’s premier Pay-TV service provider, we serve more than 1.7 million households with over 6 million pairs of captive eyeballs across Sri Lanka. Today, we are excited to embark on this partnership with Emerging Media to avail our Dialog Television platform and brand strength to provide quality advertisement exposure and customer engagement to local businesses across Sri Lanka.”
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