Business
Hatch takes Sri Lankan female entrepreneurs global with ‘She Loves Tech’
Hatch brought She Loves Tech 2021, the world’s largest women-centric technology startup competition, back to Sri Lanka for the second consecutive year. Co-founder Leanne Robers shares, “She Loves Tech 2021 is more than a competition, it’s an acceleration platform designed to take women-led and women impact startups to the next level.”
Hatch has been a key contributor to developing women entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka. The She Loves Tech program portrays their commitment to showcasing talented local women entrepreneurs on the global stage.
Over 70 female tech-enabled startups from across the island applied to be part of the She Loves Tech Sri Lanka local rounds and 8 outstanding women entrepreneurs were selected as the finalists.
Abitharani Jeyachandran – Co-Founder, Trash for Trade which is based in Batticaloa focuses on upcycling plastics and is based on a social business model. The idea was derived from an open source community named “Precious Plastic.” Amira Ghaffoor – CEO, Northwood Consulting which offers consulting services that aims to maximize business potential by implementing cost effective solutions with high scalability using AI and ML. Chathurika Wickramasinghe -Managing Director, Crowdlearn LMS which delivers an online learning and teaching platform that facilitates virtual learning as well as blended learning customisable to the user.
Gayathri Wickramasinghe – Founder, Adage Digital which focuses on developing a disruptive blockchain technology to solve global issues including sustainable waste management solutions. Nivarthana Sandeepani – Founder, NivIT which specializes in IT based services and solutions to deliver low cost water quality management tools to ensure water safety in developing countries.
Shenelle Perera – Co-Founder, Connect Co. which provides an effortless last mile delivery service that is reliable and consistent. Thilaksi Chandrasekar – Co-Founder, AgXone which is on a mission to provide innovative solutions in agriculture, through the use of drone technology and AI systems that are readily accessible for anyone, anywhere.
The finalists were supported during the program through virtual toolkits, workshops and industry mentorship provided by Kushlani De Silva on Product Marketing, Janani Liyanage on Resilience, Indika De Zoysa on Strategy Development and Ruwani Kumarasinghe on Pitch Coaching.
“We must also commend the passion and conviction of these female founders. We knew that Gayathri, one of the finalists, would be going into labour at the time of the competition. We made arrangements for her to deliver a pre-recorded pitch but to our surprise she attended the live session and pitched from the hospital mere hours after giving birth! It was a moment to celebrate and admire the fire and determination of our Sri Lankan female entrepreneurs. They are unstoppable! The camaraderie and support the 8 women continue to show each other even after the competition is wonderful. They continue to share wins, business and networking opportunities with each other. This safe and supportive community is what we try to foster with all our programs at Hatch” says Minuri Adasuriya, Head of Programs at Hatch.
The finals were held and conducted by Hatch Events in a hybrid format on the 1st of October, 2021 with live streaming enabled globally. The judging panel consisted of female entrepreneurs and strong male allies including Brindha Selvadurai (CEO & Co-Founder – Hatch), Chinthi Weerasinghe (CEO – Mitra Innovation), Pulani Ranasinghe (Founder – Loons Lab), Chalinda Abeykoon (CEO -Lankan Angel Network), Prabhath Mannapperuma (Microsoft) and Emesha Pinto Jayawardena (President – DCLK). Helen Lam, (Head of Innovation, Asia – Lendlease) based in Singapore delivered an inspirational keynote, highlighting that women can break any barriers even in a male dominated industry.
Business
Rapid Adventures Shines Again with Gold at South Asian Travel Awards 2024
Rapid Adventures Sri Lanka continues to cement its legacy as a trailblazer in the adventure tourism industry by winning the prestigious “Leading Destination Promoter” Gold Award at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2024. This remarkable achievement was celebrated at the glittering Gala & Awards Ceremony held at Aloft Kathmandu Thamel in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 20, 2024, a news release on the event said.
“The South Asian Travel Awards, now in its eighth edition, is the region’s most esteemed platform for recognizing excellence in the travel and tourism sector. This year’s event drew participation from leading players in the industry, including hotels, resorts, airlines, travel agents, and cruise lines. Over 400 nominations were submitted for various categories, underscoring the competitive nature of the awards,” it said.
Chathuranga Madurawala, CEO of Rapid Adventures Sri Lanka, along with Sithumi Gunathunga, Business Operations Lead, represented the company at the prestigious ceremony. Madurawala expressed his gratitude after receiving the award, saying, “We are honored to win the Gold Award again at the South Asian Travel Awards 2024. This recognition motivates us to continue promoting Sri Lanka as a premier adventure destination, offering unforgettable experiences to travelers from around the world.”
This accolade is the second consecutive year Rapid Adventures has claimed the Gold at SATA, having won the award in 2023 as well. The company has continuously raised the bar by offering a diverse range of thrilling activities, such as white water rafting, canyoning, waterfall abseiling, camping and hiking, while also showcasing the breathtaking natural beauty of Sri Lanka.
The South Asian Travel Awards is renowned for its thorough and impartial selection process. It serves as a platform that not only acknowledges the industry’s top performers but also fosters a spirit of healthy competition and collaboration among key stakeholders. This year, the presence of industry leaders such as Honorable Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal, Mr. Badri Prasad Pandey, and Nepal Tourism Board CEO, Mr. Deepak Joshi, added prestige to the event, making it an unforgettable celebration of South Asian hospitality and tourism.
With this new milestone, Rapid Adventures Sri Lanka promises to deliver even more extraordinary adventures and experiences, further solidifying its reputation as a leading force in the travel and tourism sector. Adventurers can look forward to exciting new opportunities as the company continues its mission to provide top-tier adventure services.
For more information on Rapid Adventures and their offerings, visit www.rapidadventures.lk and follow their exciting journey on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
This triumph marks yet another chapter in Rapid Adventures’ success story, as they inspire travelers from across the globe to explore the untamed beauty and thrilling landscapes of Sri Lanka, now one of South Asia’s leading adventure destinations.
Business
IIHS named one of Lanka’s best employer brands
The International Institute of Health Sciences (IIHS) has been recognized as one of Sri Lanka’s Best Employer Brands by the Employer Branding Institute. The award highlights IIHS’s commitment to strong human resource practices and effective talent management. Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe, CEO and Founder, accepted the award.
The award selection process was guided by senior Human Resources (HR) professionals and experts from over 36 countries, affirming that IIHS’s efforts in creating a supportive and inspiring workplace are recognised internationally, said a release.
Business
HNB Assurance Celebrates Customer Service Week with a Commitment to Go Above and Beyond
HNB Assurance celebrated Customer Service Week 2024 with a series of events that spanned from October 7th to 11th, celebrating the dedication and service of its customer-facing teams. This year’s theme, Above and Beyond, perfectly captured the essence of HNB Assurance’s commitment to exceeding customer expectations and reinforcing its customer-centric approach.
Throughout the week, the company organized interactive activities, workshops and appreciation events, all aimed at recognizing and empowering those who are at the frontlines of servicing policyholders. The celebrations highlighted the pivotal role that the customer experience plays in delivering on HNB Assurance’s promise of protection and care to its valued customers.
CEO of HNB Assurance, Lasitha Wimalarathne, speaking at the Customer Service launch event, stated, “Customer Service Week is a special time for us to pause and acknowledge the incredible efforts of our team, who embody the spirit of going ‘above and beyond’ every day. At HNB Assurance, we believe in not just providing insurance but in offering a promise which is a commitment to being there for our customers when they need us the most. This week is about celebrating that commitment and recognizing the passion and dedication of those who make this happen.”
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