The 2024 edition of the SPARK Skilled youth Entrepreneurship Competition concluded its first round with 100 youth competitors undergoing an advanced training in business foundation skills and business plan development.
SPARK is an annual skills focused launchpad for Sri Lanka’s next generation of business leaders, transforming their approach to entrepreneurship with a combination of practical skills and real-world business acumen, in ‘school’ and ‘open’ categories.
The competition is organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO), South Asia Leadership in Entrepreneurship (SALE) project, and funded by the US Department of State.
Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Senior Assistant Secretary General Manori Dissanayake said, “This year’s 100 contestants were selected from a diverse pool of applicants across the two categories, ranging from 15 to 30 years of age, 33 percent females, representing all nine provinces across the country. The evaluation of the first round of competition is now complete and we will soon announce the top 30 candidates qualifying for the second round, which includes an intensive bootcamp and business pitching process conducted by renowned business mentors.”
Mentors and trainers play a crucial role in the skill development of SPARK competitors in the second round of the competition. SPARK’s collaboration with academics as well as established entrepreneurs results in a unique blend of expertise to guide the entrepreneurial transformation of competitors through one-on-one interaction.
Founder of Square Hub Kanishka Weeramunda, who serves on the 2024 mentor panel said, “This year’s submissions are exciting and diverse sectors such as tech, eco, food innovation, healthcare and arts and crafts. I look forward to working closely with the top 30 competitors during the bootcamp and mentoring sessions to finetune their business propositions. We can expect some exciting business pitches leading to the finale.”
S. Thushanth from St. John’s College, Jaffna, one of the top performers in round one, said, “Competing in SPARK was an eye opener for me. I have already gained new skills including problem-solving and critical thinking, ability to understand emerging global business trends, marketing and strategy, leveraging digital technology, business plan development and capacity to understand the financial and business landscape. With these skills I am beginning to improve my business idea from different perspectives. I can’t wait to participate in the bootcamp. I am determined to reach the finals.”
The intensive business pitch preparation bootcamp and the individual coaching and mentoring sessions in round two will culminate in the grand finale on September 5.
