The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Global Startup Labs programme, affiliated locally to the University of Moratuwa, recently completed its third “Launch Day” in Sri Lanka. The culmination of an intense, and comprehensive, 7-week long business incubator to develop start-ups geared towards mobile and web applications (apps), this event was the finale wherein the five [...]

The Sundaytimes Sri Lanka

‘YouthJobs’ tops MIT GSL start-up programme at Moratuwa Uni

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The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Global Startup Labs programme, affiliated locally to the University of Moratuwa, recently completed its third “Launch Day” in Sri Lanka. The culmination of an intense, and comprehensive, 7-week long business incubator to develop start-ups geared towards mobile and web applications (apps), this event was the finale wherein the five resulting start-ups were judged in front of top IT sector business leaders, executives and even the families of participants.

Taking the top spot at “Launch Day 2013″ was Team Hawk Eye, with their ‘YouthJobs’ platform, which matched job seekers with job providers in the local IT/BPO sector. At the same time, Team Bee Hex was adjudged the runner up with its “Click’n'Pick” a hiring and service rental portal, which is initially focused on providing tutors within the country’s Western Province.

And third place went to Team White Ray, with their “CarelessDroid” mobile app, which allows Android smartphone users to track their device in case of its loss. Also showcasing their projects at the event were Team Aqua Vision with their easy-to-use online business set-up platform “V Mart” and Team Skylark, which wants to be the middleman for online apparel, with the option to reserve clothes, via “Modarue”.

Meanwhile, speaking at the event, newly elected Chairman of IT/BPO body SLASSCOM, and Vice President of Virtusa, Madu Ratnayake, commented that there was “huge” opportunity for Sri Lanka in terms of IT product engineering, and the industry wanted to create 1,000 start-ups in this and related fields by 2022.

Further, it was also revealed that this programme will be taken to the national level next year, with SLASSCOM as its strategic partner, with the first round of next year’s programme set to start in the coming weeks.

Judges for this finale included Rohan Jayaweera, Sri Lanka Country Consultant, Google Asia; Prajeeth Balasubramaniam, Founding Partner, Lankan Angel Network; Kasturi Wilson, Managing Director, Hemas Holdings; Nissanka Weerasekera, Partner, Aureos Capital; Dumindra Ratnayake, Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat; Anthony Rodrigo, Group Chief Information Officer, Dialog Axiata; Udena Wickremasooriya, Board Member, Brandix; and Prabath Gamage, General Manager – Product Development and Customer Solutions, Mobitel.
(JH)




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