Three startups selected from a record 150 applications for Uber Springboard 2026
Uber, the global ride-hailing and delivery platform, today announced the winners of Uber Springboard 2026, its annual mentorship initiative supporting Sri Lanka's emerging entrepreneurs. Selected from a record 150 applications this year, winning start-ups Thingsnode, MonChron and NeuroFleets will now receive hands-on mentorship from senior Uber technology and business leaders at the company's Tech Centre of Excellence in Hyderabad, India.
Now in its third edition, Uber Springboard continues to serve as a platform connecting promising Sri Lankan startups with global technology expertise. Organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Economy, Government of Sri Lanka, the initiative offers founders practical guidance on product development, technology, business strategy and scaling operations. This year's winners are working across clean energy, artificial intelligence and logistics, demonstrating how Sri Lankan innovation is addressing challenges with relevance far beyond the island.
Hon. Eng. Eranga Weeraratne, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Government of Sri Lanka, said: “Sri Lanka's digital economy will be shaped by entrepreneurs who can turn bold ideas into globally competitive businesses. Our role is to help create the ecosystem for that ambition to succeed, including access to technology, expertise and international networks. The record 150 applications to Uber Springboard this year are an encouraging sign of the innovation and enterprise emerging from Sri Lanka. I congratulate the three winning startups and commend Uber for its continued commitment to nurturing Sri Lankan talent and helping our entrepreneurs realise their global ambitions.”
Uber Springboard 2026 winners
Thingsnode, founded by Migara Amithodhana, is helping make renewable energy operations smarter through technology that monitors and optimises clean-energy assets. Its solutions already support over 500 MW of renewable energy capacity.
MonChron, founded by 18-year-old Ganidhu Kandepola, is reimagining video editing with an AI-powered tool that allows content creators worldwide to automate complex post-production tasks through simple conversations.
NeuroFleets, a Jaffna-based startup co-founded by Lavanya Ratanbala and Robinroy Peter, is using edge AI and autonomous hardware to coordinate logistics fleets and eliminate downtime in third-party logistics warehouses.
Varun Wijewardane, Country Manager – Delivery, Uber Sri Lanka, said: "What stands out about this year’s winners is the future-facing sectors they represent - from artificial intelligence and autonomous technology to clean energy. It is equally encouraging to see innovation emerging from beyond Colombo, reflecting the depth of entrepreneurial talent across Sri Lanka. Through Springboard, we remain committed to nurturing this talent, sharing Uber’s global expertise and helping promising startups build businesses that can scale in Sri Lanka and beyond.”
Kaushalya Gunaratne, Country Manager – Mobility, Uber Sri Lanka, said: "When an 18-year-old entrepreneur is already building technology for a global audience, it says something about the ambition and potential of Sri Lanka’s next generation of innovators. Great ideas can come from anywhere, but turning them into successful businesses takes the right guidance and opportunity. We’re proud to play a part in that journey and grateful to the Ministry of Digital Economy for partnering with us to help Sri Lankan entrepreneurs turn their ideas into innovations that can make an impact at home and globally.”
The selected start-up founders will participate in structured mentorship sessions at Uber's Hyderabad Tech Centre, engaging with senior leaders on product development, technology and business growth. The third edition builds on Springboard's 2024 and 2025 programmes, reinforcing Uber's broader contribution to Sri Lanka's digital economy beyond its mobility and delivery businesses.
