- Conference will launch USD 50 million Fund of Funds initiative designed to provide capital support for mission-driven startup ventures
- Platform creates strategic opportunities for Indian startups to engage in cross-border technology transfer, product localization, and partnership development across education, artificial intelligence, fintech, and sustainability sectors
September 5, 2025 – Disrupt Asia 2025, Sri Lanka’s flagship startup conference and innovation festival, will take place September 17-20 in Colombo, establishing the island nation as a central innovation hub for South Asia. The event positions India as a key strategic partner while offering Indian startups significant opportunities for cross-border technology transfer, product localization, and partnership development across education, artificial intelligence, fintech, and sustainability sectors.
Strategic Regional Positioning
Organized by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Digital Economy and the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) in collaboration with international partners, the conference will convene entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders from across the region. The initiative builds upon successful previous editions held between 2016-2019, focusing on accelerating digital transformation and fostering cross-border collaboration through structured sessions, public demonstrations, and strategic networking platforms.
Major Investment and Policy Initiatives
The four-day event will launch several landmark initiatives including a USD 50 million Fund of Funds specifically designed to support mission-driven startups, a Virtual Special Economic Zone (SEZ) to attract global technology companies, and new policy frameworks enabling enhanced private sector participation in regional innovation ecosystems.
Diplomatic Support and Bilateral Collaboration
H.E. Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, emphasized the strengthening bilateral partnership: “I am pleased by the deepening innovation and technology collaboration between India and Sri Lanka. This partnership has received leadership support from both nations, as evidenced by growing synergies between our countries. We are extending support to Sri Lankan talent to benefit from India’s vibrant technology ecosystem. I wish Disrupt Asia success in building stronger linkages between India and Sri Lanka in technology and innovation domains.”
The event builds upon earlier collaboration with Startup Mahakumbh 2025 in New Delhi, where Disrupt Asia hosted a dedicated Sri Lankan pavilion featuring ten high-potential startups across MedTech, FinTech, EdTech, AI, and Blockchain sectors. These companies presented their technologies to Indian investors and ecosystem leaders while engaging with diplomatic representatives to explore deeper bilateral collaboration opportunities.
A significant milestone was achieved through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Digital Economy and India’s Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), strengthening innovation diplomacy and establishing frameworks for joint policy development, cross-border investment, and technology exchange.
Prominent Indian Industry Participation
This year’s program features significant representation from India’s startup ecosystem. Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Founder and CEO of Paytm, will deliver the keynote address, reflecting on India’s digital transformation journey while exploring Sri Lanka’s potential as the ‘Innovation Hub of South Asia.’ Rajan Anandan, Managing Director at Peak XV Partners and Surge, will participate in panel discussions examining South Asia’s investment landscape and regional market attractiveness for investors.
Additional Indian participants include Kiran Chandra Kalluri, Partner at Dallas Venture Capital (DVC), and Vineet Rai, Co-Founder of Intellecap, alongside international contributors such as Prashant Gulati (TiE Dubai), Nathan Griffith (The Accountant Group, Australia), James Tan (Quest Ventures, Singapore), and Carl R. Härtlein (Saint Clair Advisory & Capital, United Kingdom).
Startup Showcase and Market Opportunities
The conference will spotlight 50 of Sri Lanka’s most promising startups, including Utech Technologies, Permia Sensing Lanka, SimpleBook, Nanosoft Global, MAGICBITS, PayMedia, Aahayani, Blue Lotus 360, Agent Zappy, and Emojot, representing diverse sectors from health technology and fintech to AI-driven enterprise solutions and sustainability innovations.
For Indian startups and investment funds, Disrupt Asia provides access to new distribution channels, opportunities to deepen regional market presence, and platforms for developing policy-supported collaborations within Sri Lanka’s rapidly emerging innovation landscape.
Strategic Vision and Regional Impact
Disrupt Asia 2025 represents a comprehensive regional initiative to transform South Asia’s innovation narrative. For India, the event creates access to new markets, investment opportunities, and influence in shaping regional development, while offering Sri Lanka pathways to foreign direct investment, enhanced technology partnerships, and recognition as a credible innovation hub.
Built on five foundational pillars – partnerships, pathways, people, policies, and prosperity – the event promotes sustainable, inclusive growth while embracing frontier technologies including artificial intelligence, blockchain, and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions.
Over the four-day program, Colombo will serve as a dynamic center for ideas and collaborations that define the future of entrepreneurship and technology across South Asia, creating valuable networking opportunities and strategic partnerships for innovation ecosystem development.
Event Information
For additional details about Disrupt Asia 2025, visit https://disruptasia.today or contact info@disruptasia.today.
