The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is the world’s largest technical professional organization. Established in 2015 at the Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT), the IEEE Student Branch now has over 500 student members, the highest in Sri Lanka. The student branch serves as a vital hub for tech exploration, learning, innovation, and professional growth.

Initially started in 2016 as a mere coding hackathon, CodeSprint has remarkably evolved into a Startup Battle, a platform that encourages undergraduates to develop innovative solutions to current challenges in a competitive yet coordinated environment. The Student Branch, along with its chapter, the Computer Society and the WIE (Women in Engineering) affinity group, hosted CodeSprint 8 from February to June 2024. This event has established itself as the largest and most influential startup incubator in Sri Lanka’s university landscape for the year, significantly impacting the nation’s academic and entrepreneurial spheres.

The Student Branch wrapped up the 8th iteration of CodeSprint on a triumphant note, showcasing the thriving talent of Sri Lanka’s young innovators. 

This year, the event reached new heights with the participation of 2,500 delegates from 22 universities across the island, presenting over 400 startup ideas. Moreover, the Student Branch collaborated with over 25 company partners and 90+ industry experts in judging, evaluation, and mentoring to ensure the success of the event. “The consistency and success of this journey, fueled by our dedicated partners and mentors, have made this iteration the most impactful startup incubator organized by a university in Sri Lanka,” said Sanuda Kannangara, the Chairperson of the IEEE Student Branch at IIT, during his speech at the Grand Finale.

The event unfolded in three strategic phases: Ideate, Prototype, and Startup, attracting top tech industry professionals from across the island to mentor and evaluate the projects. “The energy was palpable as each team pitched their startup ideas, driven by the desire to innovate and excel,” commented Mr. Suresh Michael Peiris, the Co-Founder of Inforwaves.

During the Ideate phase, participants unleashed their creativity, crafting compelling software concepts. Subsequent workshops provided insights into turning these ideas into feasible business models. The Prototype phase saw over 1,000 students participate in workshops aimed at creating Minimum Viable Products (MVPs), transitioning their theoretical ideas into tangible products.

The climax of CodeSprint 8 was the Grand Finale held at the Galadari Hotel in Colombo, where the top 10 teams, selected after rigorous evaluation, competed in the Startup phase. This final phase not only tested their innovative solutions but also their potential market impact and technical viability. In a historic first, an executive judge panel consisting of five top-tier tech leaders was established for the grand finale. The prestigious panel included Mr. Dulith Herath, the Founder & Chairman of Kapruka.com; Mr. Subodha Perera, the Founder and CEO of Econsulate; Mr. Sanjeewa Alwis, the CEO of BCS Technology International Pty Ltd; Mr. Fayaz Hudah, the Founder of Spiralation; and Mr. Selvaratnam Uthaiyashankar, the SVP & GM of Integration BU at WSO2.

“CodeSprint 8 has not only provided a platform for students to showcase their ingenuity but has also played a crucial role in enriching the tech ecosystem in Sri Lanka,” said Mr. Subodha Perera, one of the judges.

As the curtains closed on this year’s event, the organizers expressed their gratitude to the sponsors, partners, and all participants whose contributions ensured the overwhelming success of CodeSprint 8. The anticipation for next year’s competition is already building, promising another exciting chapter in nurturing Sri Lanka’s future tech leaders.