The highly anticipated grand finale of the SPARK 2024 Skilled Youth Entrepreneurship Competition took place on September 5, celebrating the next generation of Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurial talent. Five finalists from both the “School” and “Open” categories presented their innovative business ideas, with winners being crowned for their outstanding contributions to youth entrepreneurship.
Organized by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce with support from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), South Asia Leadership in Entrepreneurship (SALE) project, and funded by the US Department of State, this national competition showcased the creativity and business acumen of Sri Lankan youth.
In the School Category, W. Lasindu Buddhika from Siripura Central College emerged victorious with his venture “Dum Malu Bite”, while Dr. Merengnage Romela Merise Salgado won the Open Category with her startup “Pet Labs”. Both were lauded for their innovative and entrepreneurial efforts, marking a successful conclusion to the 2024 edition of the competition.
The journey to the finale saw 100 contestants selected from a wide pool of applicants, undergoing extensive skill development including virtual training, a residential bootcamp, mentoring, and business pitch sessions. The final six participants showcased their ideas to a distinguished panel of judges, who awarded trophies and certificates to the winners and runners-up.
Thilaka Jayasundara, Secretary to the Education Ministry, highlighted the competition’s role in fostering entrepreneurship, stating, “The SPARK competition nurtures an entrepreneurial mindset, encouraging youth to turn their innovative ideas into reality. This year’s diverse range of entries reflects the boundless creativity and potential of our youth.”
The event brought together a wide array of stakeholders, including government officials, international organizations, educators, and business leaders. Duminda Hulangamuwa, Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, expressed his pride in the platform’s success, noting, “The passion and innovation of all finalists are a testament to the immense potential of Sri Lanka’s young entrepreneurs. We are committed to supporting them on their journey.”
For the first time, SPARK 2024 also introduced awards recognizing journalism talent, with the SPARK Young Entrepreneurship Journalist and SPARK Young Entrepreneurial Journalist categories.
Joni Simpson, Director of the ILO Country Office for Sri Lanka and Maldives, emphasized the competition’s relevance in addressing key global challenges like digitalization and climate change. She encouraged greater participation in future competitions, particularly from young women, to foster women’s entrepreneurship.
With its focus on nurturing entrepreneurial skills, SPARK 2024 has once again provided a dynamic platform for young innovators, contributing to Sri Lanka’s economic growth and development.