Building an entrepreneurial ecosystem in Sri Lanka: program 2023 to 2029

This project helps improve economic well-being especially among women in northern Sri Lanka. It supports transformative change within Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and contributes to economic empowerment well-being and inclusive growth. This project supports the sustainable growth of start-up early-stage and growth-stage enterprises for a strengthened gender-responsive entrepreneurial ecosystem. Project activities include: (1) providing gender-responsive and inclusive incubation and acceleration services to targeted entrepreneurs; (2) engaging members of the diaspora communities as coaches and investors; and (3) providing specialized training for fund managers and other stakeholders on Gender Lens investing and impact measurement.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) increased equitable and sustainable growth of start-up early-stage and growth-stage enterprises especially those owned by operated by or serving women in the North of Sri Lanka; and (2) strengthened and more equitable gender-transformative entrepreneurial ecosystem in Sri Lanka.