WSO2 co-sponsors Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Global Startup Labs program in SL

Monday, 24 August 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Involvement part of efforts to encourage innovation and technology entrepreneurship

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Program Day One - Team challenge at WSO2 Palm Grove office

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Program Day Three - Group discussion in progress

Guest Lecture at WSO2 Palm Grove office

WSO2 Founder, CEO and Chief Architect Sanjiva Weerawarana addresses ‘Demo Day’

WSO2 recently co-sponsored Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Global Startup Labs program (MIT GSL) in Sri Lanka as part of its broader efforts to encourage innovation and technology entrepreneurship in the country. WSO2 partnered with Brandix to co-sponsor the event.

The Summer 2015 program in Sri Lanka comprised an intense seven weeks of talks, guest lectures and hands-on sessions on the art of building a startup, working on products and pitching their ideas to potential investors. It culminated in a ‘demo day’ where teams and individuals delivered a series of pitches to a panel that included Orion City CEO Jeevan Gnanam, ICTA’s Fayaz Hudah, CIMB Investment Bank Deputy CEO Anarkali Moonesinghe, IDEAHA Institute of Social Design Founder Shehara De Silva, Virtusa Head of Digital, Senior Vice President and General Manager Madu Ratnayake and entrepreneur and investor Girish Anand Sobti. A total 22 students participated in this year’s program, which kicked off on 22 June and concluded with the demo day on 7 August.

As part of its sponsorship, WSO2 provided a space – its office at Palm Grove – for activities and extensive mentorship, drawing from its senior leadership to deliver industry experiences and discuss challenges and ways to overcome these in a typical startup scenario. WSO2’s Founder, CEO and Chief Architect Dr. Sanjiva Weerawarana was among the guest speakers at the sessions where he discussed the difference between being employed and owning a startup; he also reinforced the commitment and dedication needed to run a successful business and explained the nitty gritties like being clear about each founder’s expectations and needs at the outset.

Speaking at the demo day, Dr. Weerawarana added, “In the end, everything is about vision. If you’re passionate enough, someone else’s ‘no’ doesn’t mean it’s the end of the road for you.”

WSO2’s involvement in this year’s MIT GSL program is part of the company’s ongoing initiatives to foster talent and encourage young professionals to succeed in their goals to become innovation and technology entrepreneurs. The company has hosted a series of internship days and hackathons for university students as well as meet ups and other technology-related events for IT professionals to nurture talent in the technology space.