The ‘Kickstarter Weekend’ organised for the undergraduates of the Department of Industrial Management, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya was held from 3rd to 5th March at the department premises aiming to enhance essential entrepreneurial skills to bolster their confidence when stepping out into a world of challenges and help them make their mark as formidable individuals. This three-day residential programme was conducted by SquareHub (Pvt) Ltd. Led by Mr. Kanishka Weeramunda, in collaboration with EDB (Export Development Board) of Sri Lanka. Mr. Suresh de Mel, the Chairman of EDB, a well-known entrepreneur, graced the event along with the team of trainers from SquareHub, comprised of mentors, speakers and judges who were dedicated to provide the students with a valuable experience of a lifetime.

The programme incorporated a variety of activities ranging from ice-breaking, design thinking, and idea-generating activities, intending to maximise student interaction. These engaging activities were able to captivate the undergraduates’ utmost attention and were successful in maintaining enthusiasm and ensuring their continued involvement throughout the programme, despite the long hours. Moreover, they helped the students conceptualise an idea, pitch it to an audience, develop the idea into a business while looking at possible obstacles, and finally present it to an audience of experts for their evaluation. Furthermore, the programme extended a special focus on augmenting the core skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills of the undergraduates, helping them to broaden their ability to analyse and evaluate information and make reasoned decisions. 

All the participants in the Kickstarter Weekend were able to work in a collaborative environment while creating different teams, working on their ideas and presentations, and unite with like-minded, creative, ambitious, and motivated people that demonstrated the students’ ability to become promising seekers of solutions, for the challenging problems prevailing in our modern world. 

During this entire process which was done in an interactive, fully immersive environment curated by SquareHub, the participants were able to take an active part in developing start-up culture and to Join a vast global network of passionate and competent organisers, mentors, and entrepreneurs along with other talented members of our local and regional community. The testimonials of the participants confirm that the programme helped them build their interpersonal and organisational abilities to help diversify their work and enhance their career. The unwavering dedication of the SquareHub team coupled with the competitive group of young undergraduates with an admirable team spirit made the whole programme a success. 

Moreover, the steadfast support and generous contribution of the sponsors, Axiata Digital Labs, Upfield Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., and Kansha (Pvt) Ltd. were an integral part in the accomplishment of this ‘Kickstarter Weekend’ that gave a positive and lasting experience for the undergraduates.