ILLUMINATE’24 – Where Aspirations Meet Achievements, was an inspiring initiative by the IEEE Student Branch of IIT, aimed at empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Sri Lanka. The initiative seamlessly blended a captivating YouTube interview series with two impactful community meetups, creating a platform for knowledge-sharing, networking, and growth. It brought together renowned business leaders and startup founders, offering invaluable insights and opportunities for rising entrepreneurs to turn their aspirations into achievements.

The YouTube interview series was a central highlight of ILLUMINATE’24, featuring some of Sri Lanka’s most prominent and successful entrepreneurs. Visionaries such as Mr. Yohan Liyanage, Founder & CEO of Altrium; Mr. Dilupa Pathirana, CEO of Barista; Ms. Bernadine Jayasinghe, Managing Director of IES; Mr. Peter D’Almeida, Founder & CEO of N*able; Mr. Dulith Herath, Founder & CEO of Kapruka; and Mr. Bhanuka Harischandra, Founder & CEO of Surge Global, shared their personal journeys and professional insights. Through these interviews, they provided practical advice, inspiration, and actionable tips to help aspiring entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of building and scaling a business.

In addition to the digital component, ILLUMINATE’24 successfully hosted two dynamic community meetups, offering an in-person forum for startup founders, industry experts, and like-minded individuals to connect and collaborate. The first meetup, titled Disrupt & Dominate: Accelerate with Innovation, focused on marketing strategies for startup growth and leveraging the digital edge to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced business world. The second meetup, Scaling with Strategy: Fueling Startup Growth, addressed effective fundraising strategies and the journey from revenue generation to tangible results. Both sessions were conducted by seasoned professionals from Sri Lanka’s business and marketing sectors, who shared their expertise and guided participants toward actionable growth strategies.

ILLUMINATE’24 was more than just an event series; it was a movement that inspired and equipped a new generation of entrepreneurs to think big and act boldly. By facilitating meaningful interactions, sharing transformative stories, and providing expert guidance, the initiative left a lasting impact on Sri Lanka’s startup ecosystem. The IEEE Student Branch of IIT set a benchmark for innovation and entrepreneurship development, proving that with the right knowledge and connections, aspirations can indeed meet achievements.