Sri Lanka captured global attention at the AsiaBerlin Summit 2025, showcasing the country’s expanding innovation and startup potential. Through a dynamic delegation of tech companies and high-level networking, the country demonstrated the strength, adaptability, and entrepreneurial spirit driving its digital economy.

The Summit provided a platform to position Sri Lanka’s innovation ecosystem and build meaningful connections in Europe, emphasising the role as an emerging partner in the international startup community.

Sri Lanka's relationship with the AsiaBerlin Forum began in April 2021, when H.E. Ms. Manori Unambuwe, then Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Germany, facilitated the signing of an MoU between the AsiaBerlin Forum and the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA). That partnership led to the first Sri Lanka Satellite Event at AsiaBerlin Forum 2021, laying groundwork for what would become an increasingly substantial presence.

Backed by the Export Development Board (EDB), the collaboration deepened through 2023 and 2024, with Sri Lankan delegations attending both summits and engaged in founder development programs, investor matchmaking, and market access initiatives.

However, 2025 marked a turning point with Sri Lanka making a strong impression at the AsiaBerlin Summit 2025. Under the leadership of Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy, a Sri Lankan delegation of 11 innovative technology companies representing healthtech, biotech, HRtech, greentech, e-mobility, fintech, deeptech, and the creative industries, showcased the country’s innovative ecosystem, building valuable connections in Europe. 

The delegation included, DiabSense, hSenid Business Solutions, ChargeNet, Elektrateq, AIgrow, ConscientAI, X-venture Global Solutions, PayMedia, Jendo Innovations, ConvogridAI and Quantum Tunnel Design.

Importantly, Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya delivered the official opening remarks, highlighting Sri Lanka's national digital vision and collaboration pathways with Asia and Europe. He later joined a high-level panel on ‘Investment: Asia as a Growth Engine for Europe,’ positioning Sri Lanka as a strategic partner in cross-continental innovation.

Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy, Mr. Sachindra Samararatne, Associate Chief Digital Economy Officer, ICTA and Ms. Manori Unambuwe, AsiaBerlin Ambassador & CEO, Accentae Consulting Pvt Ltd, also participated in a VIP breakfast hosted by Berlin's Governing Mayor, Kai Wegner, facilitating interactions with senior policymakers and innovation ecosystem leaders.

At the 'Sri Lanka Tech Connect' satellite event, startup founders, investors, ecosystem leaders, and diplomatic representatives were in attendance. All 11 companies delivered live product demonstrations to European stakeholders.

After a welcome from Ewa Emilia Geresz, Director of Venture Café, H.E. Varuni Muthukumarana, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Germany, opened the program. Timon Rupp, Vice President of AsiaBerlin Forum, acknowledged Sri Lanka's regional importance.

The main panel, 'Unlocking the Next Frontier in Innovation in South Asia,' featured Carl Härtlein, Marten Rauschenberg, and Manori Unambuwe discussing Sri Lanka's innovation potential. Dr. Rainer Seider, President of AsiaBerlin Forum, closed by emphasizing the forum's commitment to deepening the partnership

The summit also provided valuable engagement opportunities for Sri Lankan tech companies with leading global organizations and industry figures, including Luise Roither, Head of Match & Connect, International Startup Partnerships at Universitätsmedizin Berlin (Charité), Jason Petralia, Founder & CEO of Anthropogenic and Dr. David Romanowski, Senior Partner at Porsche Consulting. These interactions signalled the growing recognition of Sri Lanka’s innovation ecosystem and its potential to forge impactful international collaborations. 

Carl Härtlein, Founder & CEO, Saint Clair, Advisory & Capital stated, “The AsiaBerlin delegation’s presence in Berlin was a proud moment for Sri Lanka. Their dedication, organizational and financial, demonstrated the strength of our innovation ecosystem. With confidence and fact‑based insights, they showed where Sri Lanka stands today and where it is headed tomorrow.”

Participation was driven by the commitment of 11 tech companies, who fully self‑funded their travel and costs. Their hunger and determination echoed the strength of Sri Lanka’s innovation ecosystem, opening doors for future collaborations.

Participant Kosala Jayasundara, Diabsense, noted, “At ABS, we could get a very focused attention and build important business connections with ease. Unlike large events where it is quite hard to receive the attention of the right people, ABS type focused events, with the right audience in attendance, was useful for companies like us trying to build long term bridges with the right people.”

Sri Lanka’s delegation secured impactful networking outcomes at the AsiaBerlin Summit 2025. 60% of delegates formed 4–7 meaningful business connections and 20% established over 13 or more, highlighting the depth of engagement with global stakeholders. Overall, 80% of participants generated over four substantial relationships, and all local participants reported potential partnership connections with strong collaboration prospects for the innovation ecosystem. Importantly, it has translated into tangible commercial traction, as 80% of delegates initiated new leads or partnerships, bridging the summit’s outcome with the country’s long-term digital economy strategy and export goals

Sri Lanka's performance at AsiaBerlin Summit 2025 highlights Sri Lanka’s role as a national pillar in the global digital economy setting stage for the country’s readiness to compete, connect, and shape the future. 

 "Startup_Genome" – Marc Penzel (Founder, Startup Genome) launching the Sri Lanka Startup Genome Report at the Sri Lankan Pavilion, Asia Berlin Summit 2025

 "Group_pic" – Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya and Mr. Sachindra Samararatne, leading the Sri Lankan tech delegation, welcoming Senator Franziska Giffey, Berlin’s Senator for Economic Affairs, during her visit to the Sri Lankan Pavilion at the Asia Berlin Summit 2025

Photo Caption :  "venture_cafe 127" – Showcasing Sri Lankan innovation on a global stage at Sri Lanka Tech Connect, Venture Café Berlin.