Sri Lanka Agripreneurs Forum partners CPC, holds ‘Agcelarator Demo Day’
The Agcelarator Demo Day organised by Sri Lanka Agripreneurs Forum in partnership with the USAID Catalyze Sri Lanka Private Sector Development (PSD) Activity and TRACE Sri Lanka, was held at the TRACE Expert City recently.
The event showcased the innovative spirit and entrepreneurial drive of individuals passionate about agriculture and innovation. Agcelerator aims to empower entrepreneurs by providing a blend of idea validation, capacity building, mentorship and seed funding. This initiative is designed to transform innovative concepts into tangible and sustainable agribusiness solutions, making a meaningful impact on local communities.
Pitch competition was the highlight of the Demo Day, where ten selected candidates presented their business ideas to potential investors and agribusiness enthusiasts. These candidates had undergone extensive training through Bootcamps. Guided by expert mentors in the industry, these entrepreneurs received essential support to ensure their success, with continuous follow-up and progress checking by the Sri Lanka Agripreneurs’ Forum. Over 30 leading investors joined the event to witness these pitches.
The top ten pitches included a diverse range of ideas such as Pepe Ceylon produces preservative-free spice and herb products with local farmers, while Praana promotes agro forestry and eco-tourism through model farms and organic products. Sehas Agro focuses on sustainable mushroom cultivation and value-added products for the international market. Diagri offers a comprehensive e-commerce and consultation platform for agriculture. Suwasetha develops moringa-based health products and plans to open a Moringa Cafe. The Kiosk, a student-managed café, provides practical experience and serves health-conscious treats. Herbal for Hemorrhoids offers a quick recovery herbal treatment. Saviru Spices exports premium Ceylon spices and teas, ensuring quality preservation. Freshplus connects farmers directly to consumers, reducing costs and increasing income. These ventures highlight innovation, sustainability and community impact in Sri Lanka.
Sehas Agro which focused on mushroom based products and led by Nadeeshani Jayatilleke emerged winner of the pitch competition. The Kiosk, a student-led agribusiness from the University of Peradeniya ended as the first runner-up while Pepe Ceylon represented by Gayan Sanjeewa became the second runner-up.
The winners demonstrated exceptional potential and creativity in their agribusiness ventures, showcasing the transformative power of innovation in agriculture. Top ten candidates in the pitch competition will receive one-on-one mentorship from the SLAF expert mentor pool and will be connected with funding opportunities to further develop their ventures.
The Agcelerator Demo-Day not only provided a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas but also highlighted the collaborative efforts needed to drive agricultural innovation in Sri Lanka. The event underscored the importance of supporting and nurturing the next generation of agribusiness leaders to create sustainable and impactful solutions for the future.
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