Sri Lanka made a significant impact at the AsiaBerlin Summit 2025, highlighting the country’s burgeoning innovation and startup scene. Through a vibrant delegation of tech companies and extensive networking efforts, Sri Lanka demonstrated the robustness, adaptability, and entrepreneurial spirit that propels its digital economy forward.
The summit offered a platform for Sri Lanka to position its innovation ecosystem and forge meaningful connections in Europe, underscoring its role as an emerging partner in the global startup community.
Sri Lanka’s engagement with the AsiaBerlin Forum began in April 2021, when H.E. Ms. Manori Unambuwe, then Ambassador to Germany, facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the AsiaBerlin Forum and the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA). This partnership initiated the first Sri Lanka Satellite Event at the AsiaBerlin Forum 2021, setting the stage for an increasingly prominent presence.
Supported by the Export Development Board (EDB), the collaboration deepened over 2023 and 2024, with Sri Lankan delegations participating in both summits and engaging in founder development programs, investor matchmaking, and market access initiatives.
The year 2025 marked a turning point, with Sri Lanka making a strong impression at the AsiaBerlin Summit. Under the leadership of Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy, a delegation of 11 innovative technology companies representing sectors such as healthtech, biotech, HRtech, greentech, e-mobility, fintech, deeptech, and the creative industries showcased the country’s vibrant innovation ecosystem and established valuable connections in Europe.
The delegation comprised companies like DiabSense, hSenid Business Solutions, ChargeNet, Elektrateq, AIgrow, ConscientAI, X-venture Global Solutions, PayMedia, Jendo Innovations, ConvogridAI, and Quantum Tunnel Design.
Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya delivered the official opening remarks, highlighting Sri Lanka’s national digital vision and collaborative pathways with Asia and Europe. He also participated in a high-level panel discussion on ‘Investment: Asia as a Growth Engine for Europe,’ positioning Sri Lanka as a strategic partner in cross-continental innovation.
Dr. Wijayasuriya, along with Mr. Sachindra Samararatne, Associate Chief Digital Economy Officer, ICTA, and Ms. Manori Unambuwe, AsiaBerlin Ambassador & CEO of Accentae Consulting Pvt Ltd, attended a VIP breakfast hosted by Berlin’s Governing Mayor, Kai Wegner, facilitating interactions with senior policymakers and innovation ecosystem leaders.
The ‘Sri Lanka Tech Connect’ satellite event drew startup founders, investors, ecosystem leaders, and diplomatic representatives. All 11 companies conducted live product demonstrations for European stakeholders.
Following a welcome from Ewa Emilia Geresz, Director of Venture Café, H.E. Varuni Muthukumarana, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Germany, opened the program. Timon Rupp, Vice President of the AsiaBerlin Forum, recognized Sri Lanka’s regional significance.
The main panel, ‘Unlocking the Next Frontier in Innovation in South Asia,’ featured Carl Härtlein, Marten Rauschenberg, and Manori Unambuwe discussing Sri Lanka’s innovation potential. Dr. Rainer Seider, President of the AsiaBerlin Forum, concluded by emphasizing the forum’s commitment to strengthening the partnership.
The summit also provided valuable engagement opportunities for Sri Lankan tech companies with leading global organizations and industry figures, including Luise Roither, Head of Match & Connect, International Startup Partnerships at Universitätsmedizin Berlin (Charité), Jason Petralia, Founder & CEO of Anthropogenic, and Dr. David Romanowski, Senior Partner at Porsche Consulting. These interactions signaled the growing recognition of Sri Lanka’s innovation ecosystem and its potential for impactful international collaborations.
Carl Härtlein, Founder & CEO of Saint Clair, Advisory & Capital, stated, “The AsiaBerlin delegation’s presence in Berlin was a proud moment for Sri Lanka. Their dedication, both organizational and financial, demonstrated the strength of our innovation ecosystem. With confidence and fact-based insights, they showed where Sri Lanka stands today and where it is headed tomorrow.”
Participation was driven by the commitment of 11 tech companies, who fully self-funded their travel and costs. Their determination highlighted the strength of Sri Lanka’s innovation ecosystem, opening doors for future collaborations.
Participant Kosala Jayasundara from Diabsense noted, “At ABS, we could get very focused attention and build important business connections with ease. Unlike large events, where it is quite hard to receive the attention of the right people, ABS-type focused events, with the right audience in attendance, were useful for companies like us trying to build long-term bridges with the right people.”
Sri Lanka’s delegation achieved significant networking outcomes at the AsiaBerlin Summit 2025. Sixty percent of delegates formed 4–7 meaningful business connections, and 20% established 13 or more, highlighting the depth of engagement with global stakeholders. Overall, 80% of participants generated over four substantial relationships, and all local participants reported potential partnership connections with strong collaboration prospects for the innovation ecosystem. Importantly, it translated into tangible commercial traction, as 80% of delegates initiated new leads or partnerships, bridging the summit’s outcome with the country’s long-term digital economy strategy and export goals.
Sri Lanka’s performance at the AsiaBerlin Summit 2025 underscores its role as a national pillar in the global digital economy, setting the stage for the country’s readiness to compete, connect, and shape the future.
Photo Caption: Showcasing Sri Lankan innovation on a global stage at Sri Lanka Tech Connect, Venture Café Berlin.
