Since its launch on May 31, 2023, SPARK has captured the attention and ambition of young thinkers and innovators between the ages of 15 and 24 throughout the nation, who have eagerly embraced the opportunity to showcase their entrepreneurial skills, novel innovations and groundbreaking ideas.
Following a vast number of applications submitted by aspiring young entrepreneurs from across the country, the competition has now entered its second stage, where a selection committee comprising veterans of the entrepreneurship ecosystem will carefully evaluate the applications to identify the top 100 contenders who will advance to the next phase of the competition.
These selected participants will have the privilege of accessing a range of resources and support designed to nurture their entrepreneurial growth.
They will be provided with expert guidance, access to investments, vital networking opportunities, and various other forms of assistance crucial for their development as successful entrepreneurs.
The second stage will involve boot camps, workshops, and one-on-one counselling sessions conducted by seasoned entrepreneurship experts.
The journey towards the grand finale, scheduled for August, promises to be an exciting one, as the top 100 contenders battle it out for valuable awards and prizes, including an overseas tour.
The competition is a flagship initiative of the ILO’s South Asia Leadership in Entrepreneurship (SALE) programme, of which the Ceylon Chamber is the implementing partner.
Through strategic interventions such as SPARK, ILO’s SALE programme, funded by the U.S Department of State is endeavouring to boost young people’s transition into the entrepreneurial world and create a shift in the entrepreneurial ecosystems.