The Startup Ecosystem of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has 1 city in the top 1000 and is one of South Asia’s best countries for setting up a startup.

COUNTRY RANKING

Sri Lanka’s startup scene saw an increase in 2023 and jumped 7 spots from the previous year, outranking Azerbaijan.

Population

22.2
Million

Regional Ranking

3rd
0
In South Asia

Global Ranking

83rd
+
7
Worldwide

Ecosystem

Startup Ecosystem Overview


aerial view of city buildings during daytime
Sri Lanka does not yet have enough startups to be in the same category as other Asian startup hotspots, but its potential is evident. However, the country has been suffering from a severe economic crisis which will continue to impact the country’s ability to continue growing its tech sector. The country’s ecosystem developers would do well to empower their entrepreneurs and help them set up and build their startups through incentives or mentoring.
The Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka has engaged with many ecosystem stakeholders in implementing initiatives supporting startup development. The Tech Startup Support and Seed Grant Spirliation Program aims to support and promote new technology businesses to prepare them for the global market. The government also has the ambition to build five technoparks, with the first one in Galle expected to be completed in July 2023. ICTA also initiated 10,000 Ideas, an islandwide tech innovation program intending to empower the next generation of tech entrepreneurs, and a Credit Evaluation Framework in collaboration with PwC Sri Lanka as an alternative to the conventional approach and to assist technology companies in obtaining credit facilities.
Another support organization to mention is Startup SL. It is a national online platform for Sri Lankan startups, an initiative by the Ministry of Digital Infrastructure & Information Technology, and is currently being operated by ICTA. The organization has set a goal to create 1,000 new startups by 2025, which can help Sri Lanka catch up with other regional hubs. With its strategic location and ambitious goals to develop the startup ecosystem, international startup brands such as Startup Weekend by TechStars, Seedstars, and AngelHack, have also entered Sri Lanka, signaling a promising future for Sri Lanka’s startup ecosystem.

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ECOSYSTEM

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Ecosystem

The Startup Ecosystem in Sri Lanka

In 2023, Sri Lanka register a rise in Marketing & Sales startups. Some of the most notable success stories in this industry are those of , PickMe.

Global Rank

Sri Lanka is ranked within the top 100 startup ecosystems globally.

Top Industries

Sri Lanka’s startup scene is best represented in Marketing & Sales, Education, and in and Health.

Top Cities for Startups in Sri Lanka - Ranked by StartupBlink
StartupBlink ranks the startup ecosystems of 100 countries and 1,000 cities. Download our latest Global Startup Ecosystem Report.
Rows:
2023 National Rank & Change ▲
Access subscores for 1000 cities and 100 countries
2023 National Rank & Change City
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Global Rank & ChangeTotal ScoreQuantity ScoreQuality ScoreBusiness Score
1st
0
330th
+
27
1.144
00.00
00.00
00.00
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Startups

Notable Startups in Sri Lanka
PickMe startup icon
PickMe
findmyfare.com startup icon
findmyfare.com
Digital Health startup icon
Digital Health

Startups

Successful Marketing & Sales startups in Sri Lanka
Jobspola.lk startup icon
Jobspola.lk
Cemex HRM startup icon
Cemex HRM
Phoenix startup icon
Phoenix

Startups

Startups Ranking by Industry

Marketing & Sales icon
Marketing & Sales
#54 worldwide

On our map, you can explore a total of 37 startups for Marketing & Sales.

Education icon
Education
#57 worldwide

In South Asia, Sri Lanka's Education is in top 57. Sri Lanka has a concentration of about 15 of the region's total Education startups that are represented on our map.

Health icon
Health
#60 worldwide

Sri Lanka's Health is ranked 60th in the world. Our database contains 10 for this industry.

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