Kickstart Weekend - 2024

The Society of Industrial Relations and Entrepreneurship Development collaborated with SquareHub Pvt. Ltd. and the Career Guidance Unit of the University of Peradeniya to successfully host an event aimed at empowering undergraduates with innovative ideas. A three-day workshop focused on entrepreneurial thinking, design thinking, lean canvas, and more.

The pivotal role played by the Career Guidance Unit of the University of Peradeniya was instrumental in the success of our event. Let's hear from the Director of Career Guidance Unit, Prof. Dileep de Silva, on their contributions.

Additionally, the exclusive session with Mr. Peter De Almeida was a rare opportunity that added significant value to the overall experience.

The program featured the presence of Mr. Peter de Almeida, Director of BLITTO, and Professor Darshana Yapa, sharing valuable insights. The event concluded with the selection and crowning of the top three ideas by a panel of industry experts and judges.

The Society of Industrial Relations and Entrepreneurship Development is committed to bringing you more exciting events in the future. Stay tuned for further updates and opportunities to engage in enriching experiences with us.

Farade Education - Unlock PotentialAt Farade, we work to bring out the best in all our students, by making quality learning accessible to everyone. Every student is different, with unique, specific talents. We take the time and effort to identify this, and guide our students to become the best versions of themselves.

Grateful to all the dynamic participants who made KickStart Weekend 2024 a huge success.

We extend out heartfelt gratitude to all our supporters, sponsors and mentors who made this event remarkable. Hats off to the dedicated team behind KickStart Weekend 2024 and your energy and enthusiasm were truly inspiring.

The kickstart weekend-2024 was a pitching competition organized by the Faculty of Science Career Guidance Unit (FOS-CGU), Science-Industry Interaction Cell (SIIC) in partnership with Society for Industry Relations and Entrepreneurship Development (SIRED) to encourage entrepreneurship among all of undergraduate students during their orientation programme. The programme was a multi-day event, which ended on the 21th of january 2024 at the University of Peradeniya premises. The organizers expected the participation of 500 undergraduates in the programme. In addition, twenty resource persons were present as mentors and speakers throughout the programme.

Starting with a simple one-minute pitch of a business idea, the participants were able to see how the idea could be brought to life through techniques and tools like design thinking and lean canvas. Next, the mentors would sit with the participants to help them develop their ideas into solid business concepts. Finally, the participants pitched the concept to local entrepreneurial leaders with another opportunity for critical feedback.

The Faculty of Science Career Guidance Unit (CGU, FoS) was in charge of getting the required permission from the University administration. Financial support for the event was also provided by the Farade Educational. The Society for Industry Relations and Entrepreneurship Development (SIRED) handled logistics, food, and entertainment and dedicated organizers who found funds for the event.

The kickstart weekend-2024 programme bridged the gap between a business idea and a full-blown business concept. Additionally, it brought science into the entrepreneurial picture, by assigning students ventures that would heavily involve science.

HIGHLIGHTS

Stay tuned for more exciting opportunities in the future.