Business Spark 2025 was an initiative organised by the Professional Development Avenue of the Rotaract Club of University of Colombo Faculty of Management and Finance in collaboration with MiddleWay Ventures (Pvt) Ltd and the Career Guidance Unit of the Faculty. This national level competition was designed to inspire and empower young Sri Lankans by nurturing their entrepreneurial spirit and providing them with the tools, mentorship and exposure needed to transform their ideas into viable business ventures.
The competition commenced with a simple yet impactful challenge. Participants were invited to submit a 3 minute video pitch showcasing either a new business idea or an innovative enhancement to an existing business. Submissions were open from 26th February to 14th March 2025. After a careful evaluation the top 12 entries were selected to proceed to round 2.
In the second round, these 12 shortlisted participants submitted detailed business plans following a structured format provided by MiddleWay Ventures. They also had the valuable opportunity to engage in 1-on-1 mentorship sessions with industry experts who offered personalised guidance and feedback to help refine and elevate their ideas. Based on their performance the top 4 finalists were chosen to advance to the final round of the competition.
The Grand Finale was held on 26th April 2025 at the Faculty of Management and Finance premises, University of Colombo. During this, the top 4 participants presented their polished business ideas before a distinguished panel of judges followed by an insightful Q&A session. The judge panel included Mr. Supun Walpola, Founder of MiddleWay Ventures, Mr. Ruzni Faik, Program Lead at MAS Holdings and Ms. Nirosha Perera, Analyst at The World Bank Group. Their collective industry knowledge and experience brought credibility and depth to the evaluation process.
The pitching session was followed by the Award Ceremony which was held at the Prof. Jayaratna Auditorium. This ceremony was attended by several distinguished guests including Prof. Nihal Hennayaka, Dean of the Faculty of Management and Finance of the University of Colombo and Mr. Gunapala Ranaweerage, Coordinator of the Career Guidance Unit of the Faculty of Management and Finance. Representatives from the Rotaract District Steering Committee were also present alongside other notable guests from the University of Colombo and the business community.
The event gained media attention with Siyatha TV and Sirasa TV joining as media partners ensuring the event’s exposure to a wide audience and helping to showcase the success of the initiative. This exposure not only highlighted the impact of the competition but also brought greater recognition to the young entrepreneurs who participated.
The competition concluded with the following winners:
- Winner – Chandrakumar Sanushan
- 1st Runner-Up – Aasif Shakoor
- Joint 2nd Runner-Up – Thiruni Walpola and Akram Gazali
All in all Business Spark was a resounding success. It uncovered a wealth of innovative ideas while making a tangible impact on Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by equipping young visionaries with essential resources and mentorship. It also played a pivotal role in cultivating the next generation of business leaders, driving innovation, job creation and sustainable economic growth for years to come.
Written By: –
Rtr. Subhanu Dissanayake
(Co-Director Professional Development 2024-25)
Written By: –
Rtr. Vimarshee Gunawardene
(Co-Director Professional Development 2024-25)
Edited By:
Rtr. Thisara Kuruppuarachchi
(Senior Blog Team Member 2024-25)
