The Xcellerate Inter University Hackathon 2025 celebrated Sri Lanka’s brightest young trailblazers during Global Entrepreneurship Week, bringing emerging innovators together for a high-energy finale. The event highlighted bold ideas poised to shape the nation’s digital future.
A dynamic showcase where the Xcellerate Inter University Hackathon 2025 united Sri Lanka’s rising innovators
The Xcellerate Inter University Hackathon 2025 concluded with resounding success as Sri Lanka’s most promising young innovators converged at TRACE Expert City for a finale that reaffirmed the nation’s rising entrepreneurial strength. Organized by SLASSCOM during Global Entrepreneurship Week, the event served as a dynamic platform where student-led teams demonstrated the creativity, resilience, and strategic thinking essential for building the country’s next generation of tech-driven startups. With nearly one hundred applications from state and non-state universities nationwide, the program underscored the widespread enthusiasm for innovation among Sri Lankan youth and their growing interest in global-scale problem solving.
Now firmly established as SLASSCOM’s flagship initiative for university entrepreneurship, the hackathon’s 2025 edition delivered an intensive, multi-stage experience designed to elevate participants’ ideas and capabilities. After a rigorous selection process, applicants progressed through hands-on workshops, industry-led masterclasses, and technical mentoring sessions that pushed them to refine both their concepts and execution. The final fifteen teams earned their place on the main stage after demonstrating exceptional potential across innovation, feasibility, and market relevance. Their presentations revealed a compelling cross-section of emerging technological solutions and the evolving priorities of the country’s entrepreneurial community.
This year’s submissions spanned some of the world’s most influential and fast-growing domains, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, sustainability solutions, deep-tech advancements, healthcare technology, IoT applications, and socially driven innovation. The range of ideas reflected a notable shift in how students are approaching complex challenges, with many proposing scalable platforms capable of addressing global opportunities rather than solely local concerns. As universities increasingly nurture an innovation-friendly culture, students are not only acquiring technical skills but also developing an entrepreneurial mindset aligned with international standards.
The finale featured a keynote address by Julius Nilsson, Co-founder and CEO of Docupath, who delivered an inspiring message encouraging participants to embrace resilience, experimentation, and ambition as they navigate their startup journeys. His speech resonated with attendees, many of whom expressed how his insights reframed their understanding of what it means to build world-class companies from emerging innovation ecosystems such as Sri Lanka’s.
The judging panel, comprising industry leaders, investors, and technology experts, faced the challenge of evaluating projects that showcased both sophisticated technical development and strong commercial potential. Ultimately, Team DART from the University of Moratuwa secured the top position, earning recognition for their inventive approach and engineering depth. Team ITSELF from the University of Kelaniya claimed the first runner-up spot, while Team Amor Developers Group from the Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT) achieved second runner-up status. These outcomes not only highlighted the academic excellence associated with these institutions but also emphasized the value of cross-disciplinary teamwork in modern innovation.
SLASSCOM Chairperson Shehani Seneviratne praised the participating teams, noting that the hackathon once again demonstrated the remarkable ingenuity of Sri Lanka’s youth. She emphasized that the creativity and problem-solving capabilities displayed throughout the competition reinforce SLASSCOM’s long-term commitment to nurturing an innovation-driven economy. Her remarks echoed the sentiment that the nation’s digital future depends heavily on its ability to empower young thinkers who can navigate uncertainty while pursuing transformative solutions.
Further reinforcing this commitment, SLASSCOM Vice Chair 2 and E&I Forum Board Lead Haridhu Abeygoonaratne highlighted the depth of talent visible across the university ecosystem. He noted that the hackathon provided a clear window into the ambition and capability of young founders who are eager to contribute meaningfully to the digital economy. He reiterated SLASSCOM’s intention to build an environment in which promising ideas can evolve into robust, globally competitive ventures, supported by mentorship, investor access, and industry collaboration.
The 2025 edition was strengthened through the support of the Royal Norwegian Embassy, with Neo Ventures joining as Ecosystem Partner. Both organizations contributed learning opportunities, strategic guidance, and industry insights that enriched participants’ experience. Their involvement demonstrated the value of international collaboration in shaping Sri Lanka’s startup environment and advancing entrepreneurial capacity among students.
Beyond the competition, the Xcellerate Inter University Hackathon plays an integral role in advancing SLASSCOM’s broader mission to cultivate a strong pipeline of tech-driven entrepreneurs. This initiative aligns with the national objective to facilitate 1,000 high-potential startups by 2030 and position them for growth both locally and globally. By providing real-world exposure, direct access to industry leaders, and opportunities to test ideas under pressure, the hackathon equips participants with practical knowledge that accelerates their entrepreneurial readiness.
As Sri Lanka works toward establishing itself as a competitive innovation hub, the Xcellerate program continues to serve as a gateway for young leaders who are eager to build future-focused solutions. The 2025 hackathon reaffirmed that the country’s greatest competitive advantage lies in its emerging talent—individuals who combine creativity, technical expertise, and determination to transform challenges into opportunities. With continued support, these innovators are poised to contribute significantly to the nation’s digital evolution and its vision for long-term economic growth driven by technology and entrepreneurship.