India and Sri Lanka Launch Innovation Forum for Startups

India and Sri Lanka launch a business-led Innovation Forum in Colombo to connect startups, investors and industry networks, strengthen technology partnerships and support joint innovation projects.

India and Sri Lanka have launched the India-Sri Lanka Innovation Forum in Colombo to strengthen cooperation in technology, innovation and startup development through private-sector partnerships. The initiative aims to connect businesses, startup incubators, investment funds and industry networks from both countries, creating opportunities for joint projects and commercial collaboration.

The forum was officially launched on November 12, 2026, in the presence of Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha. The event brought together representatives from major Sri Lankan corporate groups, including Dialog Axiata, John Keells Holdings, Hayleys, Hemas Holdings and Sunshine Holdings. Innovation-focused organisations such as Trace Expert City, nVentures, Hatch, SLASSCOM, Lanka Angel Network and Yarl IT also participated.

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Several Indian technology and innovation institutions joined the launch virtually. These included IIT Madras Pravartak, the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), the Atal Innovation Mission and the Nasscom SME Council. Their participation reflects the growing involvement of Indian research institutions, technology organisations and industry networks in strengthening Sri Lanka's startup ecosystem.

The business-led forum is intended to provide a continuing platform for entrepreneurs, established companies, incubators and investors to exchange expertise, identify opportunities and develop collaborative projects. It will focus on strengthening connections between the two countries' innovation ecosystems and helping startups progress from mentorship and networking towards commercial partnerships.

The initiative builds on several existing India-Sri Lanka technology collaborations. Startup India and Sri Lanka's Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) have been working together to connect their startup ecosystems. India's Nasscom has also extended its Disha mentorship programme for technology small and medium enterprises to Sri Lanka, making it the first country outside India to benefit from the initiative.

IIT Madras Pravartak has conducted a six-week capacity-building and immersion programme for Sri Lankan startups and signed memoranda of understanding with SLASSCOM and Dialog. In another development, the Atal Innovation Mission's Tinkering Labs were launched in Sri Lanka on November 4 through a partnership involving Hemas Holdings and Nalanda College.

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Additionally, the Wireless Intelligence and Innovation Institute of Technology, established in June 2026, connects IIT Madras Pravartak, IIT Madras Global, Finland's University of Oulu and Sri Lankan universities to support wireless technology research and development.

The launch of the Innovation Forum adds a dedicated business-led mechanism to these ongoing initiatives. By bringing corporate leaders, investors and innovation institutions together, India and Sri Lanka aim to expand technology partnerships, encourage startup development and create new avenues for bilateral economic cooperation.