Launch of HSBC Youth Entrepreneurship Awards 2015
View(s):HSBC and the British Council launched their fifth ‘HSBC Youth Enterprise Awards’ on Wednesday September 23 at the British Council Library in Colombo.
The contest seeks to support and mentor young Sri Lankan entrepreneurs looking to start their own business. Prizes of Rs. 500, 000, 200, 000 and 100, 000 will be awarded to the winning team, first runner-up and second runner-up respectively, as well as two commendation prizes worth Rs.50,000 each.
Left to right: Rohan Jayaweera, Peter Gallager of HSBC, Keith Davis and Niroshi Siriwansa of the British Council
The competition is open to Sri Lankan students currently studying at state or private institutions and young professionals aged between 18-35. Applicants are encouraged to submit their business ideas in teams under the categories of agriculture, education or health.
Rohan Jayaweera, a mentor and member of the judging panel with a passion for education, said the programme differs from others in providing expertise in industries that are critical for us as a country. “I love that it is focused on realistic ground issues,” he said.
Shortlisted teams will also undergo a mentoring programme aimed at guiding participants through to the implementation stage of their business idea. Winner of last year’s awards, Tharinda Basnayake, 22, and runner-up Wijayantha Nuwan Wanninayaka, 25, were also present at this year’s launch.
Both winners emphasised the benefits of the mentoring programme over winning. Tharinda who came from a family with little business background, told the Sunday Times he “never expected to win, but taking part is what counts.”
Nuwan, who at first worried about language difficulties and his lack of experience in such competitions, told us it did not prove an obstacle. “Our mentors were very good, sometimes staying up all night to help us,” said Nuwan.
He also found being in the company of other young entrepreneurs like himself very motivating. “An entrepreneur needs to look for what is lacking in society and fulfil that requirement,” he said.
This year’s programme will expand to a national level, with industry specific workshops on agriculture, education and health being conducted in Kandy and Jaffna, as well as Colombo, for all participants throughout October and November.
Applications for Youth Enterprise Awards 2015 are open from the September 23 to October 23. Application forms and more information can be acquired at www.britishcouncil.lk/YEA.