Dialog Axiata Powers Venture Engine
Start-up Acceleration Programme

(L to R): Supun Weerasinghe, Group Chief Executive, Dialog Axiata PLC and Prajeeth Balasubramaniam, Co-Founder/Managing Partner – BOV Capital

Supporting the viability of entrepreneurs against the backdrop of the pandemic and the challenging economic and operating environments posed by it, Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, once again powered the 2021 edition of the Venture Engine start-up acceleration programme as it has done since inception, with Dialog Television joining hands as the Pay TV Partner.

Founded by BOV Capital and the Indian Angel Network, Venture Engine is partnered by the Lankan Angel Network (LAN) and supported by Dialog Axiata PLC. Venture Engine has returned for its tenth year with plans to help innovative and scalable start-ups solve a genuine pain point. While the programme will look at Seed and Growth stage start-ups that are interested in scaling, it will also cater to entrepreneurs opting to submit new, early-stage business ideas with large addressable markets. Registrations are open for applicants until 12th November 2021 via www.ventureengine.lk.

This year’s Venture Engine programme will, for the fourth time, offer a special Impact Entrepreneurship Award that highlights for-profit Social Enterprises that are tackling pressing social, environmental, and economic issues in Sri Lanka. The programme is sponsored by promoted by Ford Foundation and Indian Venture Capital firm Aavishkaar. Other sponsors and partners for 2021 include Dialog Axiata PLC, ICTA, SL@100, Council for Start-ups, SLASSCOM, HATCH, KPMG, PwC, AOD, Shift and CPP.

Commenting, Group Chief Executive of Dialog Axiata PLC, Supun Weerasinghe said, “Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, has been a long-term partner of the Venture Engine programme and is pleased to once again join hands with the platform as the official Telecommunication and Pay TV Partner in our shared vision of nurturing and strengthening the Sri Lankan start-up ecosystem.”

Speaking on the initiative, Prajeeth Balasubramaniam, Co-Founder/Managing Partner of BOV Capital said, “Venture Engine has been a catalyst in helping start-ups raise funding over the past 10 years. As a foremost funding platform in Sri Lanka, Venture Engine has funded over Rs. 2Bn investments into 35+ start-ups. We are proud that Dialog has continued to support venture engine since inception and shares our vision and goal to create exceptional companies in Sri Lanka.”