Accelerating Sri Lanka’s digital future, Disrupt Asia 2025, South Asia’s premier startup conference and innovation festival, is to be held from 17th to 20th September. Going beyond a four-day event, it is a national movement focused on driving innovation, enabling global opportunities, and influencing long-term policy and tech-driven transformation.

Currently, Sri Lanka’s growing startup ecosystem, backed by government agencies, industry partners, and globally connected institutions, is gaining unprecedented momentum.

As a platform, Disrupt Asia 2025, conference aims to create a conducive ecosystem for investment, attract international investors, and facilitate the soft landing of investors, startups, and accelerators into the Sri Lankan market. Building these strategic connections globally, Disrupt Asia 2025 is positioning itself as a catalyst for transforming Sri Lanka into a regional innovation hub.

To date, Disrupt Asia 2025 has ramped up global engagement through a series of high-profile events and strategic visits. The global roadshow campaign has created significant momentum in key markets while elevating Sri Lanka’s dynamic tech ecosystem and laying the groundwork for the flagship summit later this year.

At India’s Startup Mahakumbh 2025 in New Delhi, ICTA officials showcased Sri Lanka’s vision to thousands of entrepreneurs and investors. Sri Lanka was present at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Indiana with participation in the Startup Nations Ministerial and GEN Invest Forum. At Singapore’s Echelon 2025, the team partnered with nVentures to highlight a nation at the cusp of exponential digital growth..

The roadshows culminated with Asia Berlin’s Carl Rainer Hartlein undertaking a focused visit to Colombo, engaging with ICTA, Digital Economy Investment Committee, Hatch Works, Port City Colombo, Sri Lanka Association for Software and Services Companies (SLASSCOM), and TRACE Expert City to explore cross-border innovation opportunities. This visit was facilitated by Asia Berlin Ambassador Manori Unambuwe.

“Sri Lanka stands out as a resilient and innovative nation, home to a dynamic startup ecosystem and world-class talent. With its vibrant innovation hubs and strong culture of excellence, the country plays a unique role as a politically neutral connector in Asia, fostering exchange, collaboration, and breakthrough ideas.”

The conference will also feature a high-level lineup of Government dignitaries including H.E. Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake – President of Sri Lanka, Hon. Eranga Weeraratne – Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Dr. Hans Wijesuriya – Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy and Chairman, ICTA, Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe – Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Global Industry figures such as Dr. Sanjiva Weerawarnna, Mr. Bhanuka Harischandra, Ms. Padmaja Ruparel , Mr. Rajan Anandan , Mr. Craig Dixon.

Disrupt Asia 2025 keynote address will be delivered by Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Founder and CEO, Paytm, India’s digital payments pioneer.

The conference will explore how Sri Lanka is shaping a business environment favorable to startups, and why global innovators should consider establishing their ventures in the country.

Globally recognized founders, startup ecosystem builders, and international investors actively seeking high-growth opportunities in South Asia’s dynamic startup ecosystem will attend the event.

This year’s conference aims to attract more venture capitalists by positioning Sri Lanka as a prime destination for investment. The main conference and the Innovation Festival will spotlight the country’s top tech startups, providing them a platform to showcase their innovations to both local and international investors. With more partners joining including government agencies, industry associations, ecosystem builders and global networks, Sri Lanka is on track to revolutionize the country’s startup ecosystem positioning Disrupt Asia 2025 as a movement to unlock global opportunities and accelerate innovation at home.

Startup showcase applications are now open, providing emerging companies the opportunity to present their innovations to a global audience of investors, industry leaders, and potential partners. Both startup showcase applications and main conference tickets are available at www.disruptasia.today, offering access to networking, learning, and collaboration that will shape Sri Lanka’s digital future. For inquiries, contact info@disruptasia.today.

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TRACE – Sri Lanka recently hosted TRACE Innovation Connect 2024 at TRACE Expert City, marking a significant step towards building collaboration between the Sri Lankan tech diaspora and their homeland. Organised in partnership with Work in Sri Lanka, the event successfully gathered over 100 expatriates, tech leaders, entrepreneurs, foreign delegates, and diplomats. This gathering aimed to enable a ‘brain gain’ for Sri Lanka by encouraging the migration of technical know-how and inspiring the Sri Lankan tech diaspora to actively contribute to the nation’s innovation and economic resilience. The event also showcased Sri Lanka’s evolving tech landscape and the country’s untapped potential on the global stage.

The agenda featured a lineup of highly respected speakers, each offering unique insights into the tech and innovation ecosystem. Dr. Sankalpa Gamwarige, Founding Director & Advisor at TRACE – Sri Lanka, welcomed the gathering and explained the purpose and significance of the event. Dr. Bandula Wijay, CEO and President of LeoMed, took the stage to discuss the intricacies of high-tech biomedical discoveries and the processes behind breakthrough innovations. Dr. Harsha Subasinghe, President and CEO of Codegen International, emphasised the critical need for Sri Lanka to focus on high-tech innovations to maintain a competitive edge, while showcasing the significant advancements his company has brought to the nation’s innovation landscape. Ranil Vitharana, Chief Innovation Officer and Chief Technology Officer at MAS Holdings, shared the inspiring journey of his company in achieving 100 patents, illustrating the potential for innovation within Sri Lanka.

Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Sri Lanka, pointed out the significance of initiatives like TRACE Innovation Connect and reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to supporting TRACE’s mission. Nayana Samaranayake, the founder of Work in Sri Lanka, spoke passionately about the importance of encouraging the Sri Lankan diaspora to return and contribute their expertise to the national economy. He also outlined the various ways in which Work in Sri Lanka supports this crucial process.

The 10th anniversary of TRACE – Sri Lanka was also celebrated during the event, marked by the ceremonial cutting of a cake by the Founders of TRACE. Following this, Heminda Jayaweera, Executive Director at TRACE – Sri Lanka, introduced the audience to the National Startup Accelerator Program, highlighting TRACE’s pivotal role in enabling entrepreneurship by providing startups with essential resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities to drive innovation on a national scale. Finally, Clautilda Arockiam, Board Member at TRACE – Sri Lanka, emphasised the necessity of building a sustainable tech ecosystem in Sri Lanka, advocating for a reduction in reliance on traditional exports and an embrace of innovation. She issued a call to action to the audience, urging them to support TRACE through knowledge sharing and training, supporting STEAM curriculum in schools, networking and introductions, funding, and by becoming ambassadors for TRACE.

TRACE envisions Sri Lanka as Asia’s leading hub for technology and innovation, and is committed to playing a vital role in the country’s economic resilience and technological advancement through its various initiatives. As TRACE continues to expand its global innovation ecosystem, the organisation extends an invitation to individuals and organisations to support its mission through knowledge sharing, funding, and introductions.

Stay connected with TRACE – Sri Lanka for updates on upcoming initiatives by following their social media channels.

TRACE – Sri Lanka
TRACE is Sri Lanka’s leading innovation hub that’s Technologically Re-Awakening a Culture of Excellence in the nation. This non-profit organisation acts as a catalyst spurring creativity, collaboration and the creation of high-tech products across various sectors and industries.

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