Sri Lanka holds first-ever GSEA

The Global Student Entrepreneurs Awards (GSEA) held its first-ever event in Sri Lanka at the BMICH on 4 March.

GSEA is a program of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), which is the premier awards program for student entrepreneurs. Built on a mission to inspire students to start and grow entrepreneurial ventures, GSEA brings global visibility to pioneering student business owners.

As the premier global competition for high school, undergraduate and graduate students, the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) represents more than 1,700 of the prominent student entrepreneurs from more than 32 countries. Over the years, participating students have gone on to create thousands of jobs and generate millions in revenue. 

This year’s winner was clinched by Buddhika Jayawardene, a third year undergraduate at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Moratuwa. His winning project ‘Siplo’ consisted of an online tutoring platform targeting the Advanced Level education sector in Sri Lanka. He outlined that his ultimate aim was to make Siplo a global brand by making their system compatible with popular open source e learning platforms.

Buddika will go on to represent Sri Lanka at the 2016 GSEA Global Finals in Bangkok, Thailand. They will be competing against top student entrepreneurs from around the world in the hopes of winning over US$150,000 in cash and donated prizes.

Mohamed Fawaz, the Local Chair for GSEA Sri Lanka, along with the supportive stakeholders, ICTA, FITIS, Global Tutor, Tellida, Edulink International Campus, PayMedia and SLASSCOM, has supported this event as they share a common goal of supporting and enhancing entrepreneurial eco system within Sri Lanka and obtaining global exposure. 

Fawaz said: “Bringing down GSEA to Sri Lanka was a great opportunity to showcase the talents and ideas of our young entrepreneurs. It supports them to achieve their dreams and helps to make it a reality. As a participant of the previous year, I have personally experienced the benefit it could do to you and your startup. There is a huge need in Sri Lanka to create start-ups, and nurture the skills of young, budding, entrepreneurs, who are filled with ideas, creations and innovations. I strongly believe that initiatives such as GSEA will encourage our students to engage as entrepreneurs and monetise their ideas to reach the nooks and corners of the world, bringing fame not only to themselves but to the country as well.”