Disrupt Asia 2025 positions Sri Lanka as regional innovation hub and amplifies international presence

AsiaBerlin Ambassador Manori Unambuwe (fourth from left) and Carl R. Härtlein (fifth from right) with members of the Digital Economy Investment Committee during a collaborative discussion on strengthening Sri Lanka’s innovation ecosystem

Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne (second from right), with AsiaBerlin Ambassador Manori Unambuwe and Carl R. Härtlein, during a meeting on fostering international collaboration in Sri Lanka’s startup ecosystem

Accelerating Sri Lanka’s digital future, Disrupt Asia 2025, South Asia’s premier startup conference and innovation festival, is to be held from 17 to 20 September. Going beyond a four-day event, it is a national movement focused on driving innovation, enabling global opportunities, and influencing long-term policy and tech-driven transformation.

Currently, Sri Lanka’s growing startup ecosystem, backed by government agencies, industry partners, and globally connected institutions, is gaining unprecedented momentum.

As a platform, Disrupt Asia 2025, conference aims to create a conducive ecosystem for investment, attract international investors, and facilitate the soft landing of investors, startups, and accelerators into the Sri Lankan market. Building these strategic connections globally, Disrupt Asia 2025 is positioning itself as a catalyst for transforming Sri Lanka into a regional innovation hub.

To date, Disrupt Asia 2025 has ramped up global engagement through a series of high-profile events and strategic visits. The global roadshow campaign has created significant momentum in key markets while elevating Sri Lanka’s dynamic tech ecosystem and laying the groundwork for the flagship summit later this year.

At India’s Startup Mahakumbh 2025 in New Delhi, ICTA officials showcased Sri Lanka’s vision to thousands of entrepreneurs and investors. Sri Lanka was present at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Indiana with participation in the Startup Nations Ministerial and GEN Invest Forum. At Singapore’s Echelon 2025, the team partnered with nVentures to highlight a nation at the cusp of exponential digital growth. 

The roadshows culminated with Asia Berlin’s Carl Rainer Hartlein undertaking a focused visit to Colombo, engaging with ICTA, Digital Economy Investment Committee, Hatch Works, Port City Colombo, Sri Lanka Association for Software and Services Companies (SLASSCOM), and TRACE Expert City to explore cross-border innovation opportunities. This visit was facilitated by AsiaBerlin Ambassador Manori Unambuwe.

 “Sri Lanka stands out as a resilient and innovative nation, home to a dynamic startup ecosystem and world-class talent. With its vibrant innovation hubs and strong culture of excellence, the country plays a unique role as a politically neutral connector in Asia, fostering exchange, collaboration, and breakthrough ideas.” 

The conference will also feature a high-level lineup of Government dignitaries including President Anura Kumara Disanayake, Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy and ICTA Chairman Dr. Hans Wijesuriya, Central Bank of Sri Lanka Governor Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe. Global Industry figures such as Dr. Sanjiva Weerawarnna, Bhanuka Harischandra, Padmaja Ruparel, Rajan Anandan, Craig Dixon.

Disrupt Asia 2025 keynote address will be delivered by Paytm (India’s digital payments pioneer) Founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma.

The conference will explore how Sri Lanka is shaping a business environment favourable to startups, and why global innovators should consider establishing their ventures in the country. 

Globally recognised founders, startup ecosystem builders, and international investors actively seeking high-growth opportunities in South Asia’s dynamic startup ecosystem will attend the event. 

This year’s conference aims to attract more venture capitalists by positioning Sri Lanka as a prime destination for investment. The main conference and the Innovation Festival will spotlight the country’s top tech startups, providing them a platform to showcase their innovations to both local and international investors. With more partners joining including government agencies, industry associations, ecosystem builders and global networks, Sri Lanka is on track to revolutionise the country’s startup ecosystem positioning Disrupt Asia 2025 as a movement to unlock global opportunities and accelerate innovation at home.

Startup showcase applications are now open, providing emerging companies the opportunity to present their innovations to a global audience of investors, industry leaders, and potential partners. Both startups showcase applications and main conference tickets are available at www.disruptasia.today, offering access to networking, learning, and collaboration that will shape Sri Lanka’s digital future. For inquiries, contact [email protected].