‘Spark’- a national competition for Sri Lanka’s next generation of entrepreneurs was held recently coinciding with World Entrepreneurship Day.
The country’s promising innovators, problem solvers, thinkers, and creators aged 15-24 showcased their transformative ideas and vied for the Spark 2023 Award.
With over 400 applications received from across the country, the top five contestants pitched their business ideas to a panel of judges.
Leading up to the finale, Spark engaged with the initial cohort of 100 plus shortlisted contestants through a series of virtual training sessions. This was followed by an intensive two-day residential boot camp for the top 35 contestants.
Chief Technical Advisor, ILO Country Office for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Thomas Kring said, “Spark aims to create a shift in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, through the competition, by establishing entrepreneurial clubs in schools, and creating a pool of mentors and trainers.
“It’s a ripple effect that we hope will contribute to transformation among youth, educators, parents, policy-makers, and private sector to see entrepreneurship as a viable career option,” he said.
The Spark: Youth Entrepreneurship Competition 2023 is an initiative of the ILO’s South Asia Leadership in Entrepreneurship (SALE) program, of which the Ceylon Chamber is the implementing partner.