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The Hemas “Slingshot” Accelerator, powered by Hatch, recently concluded its second cohort with an inspiring Demo Day, spotlighting some of Sri Lanka’s most promising startups in the EdTech, HealthTech, and FMCG industries.
Out of the eight finalists, Wheelchair House, a startup providing customized Enabling Equipment, emerged as the winner, while Exam Hub, Sri Lanka’s most popular platform for gamified education, secured the runner-up position.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Strategy & Growth Officer of Hemas Holdings PLC, Rizny Faisal, stated:
"Slingshot 2.0 is a testament to our commitment to fostering innovation and empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka. Through this accelerator, we are not just supporting startups—we are building an ecosystem where bold ideas can thrive, scale, and create lasting impact. The success of Wheelchair House, Exam Hub, and all our Slingshot 2.0 finalists highlights the immense potential of Sri Lankan entrepreneurship, and we are proud to play a role in their journey toward transformation and growth."
Slingshot 2.0 provided participants with strategic mentorship and industry insights to help scale their businesses. Over the past six months, founders engaged in hands-on learning, deep dives into their industries, and exposure visits to enhance product quality, streamline operations, and refine their business models and growth strategies.
The top eight startups that showcased their progress at the Demo Day included:
- - Wheelchair House (Winner)
- - Exam Hub (Runner-up)
- - Ophtha Innovations
- - Bistec Care
- - Four Elements
- - Phrasecode
- - Beautonic
- - Aagee.AI
Throughout the program, domain experts from Hemas and business mentors from the Hatch network provided invaluable industry expertise, offering tailored guidance on scaling and sustainability.
Mevan Peiris, CEO of Hatch, emphasized:
"We have an excellent reference in countries like India, where the startup ecosystem has leapfrogged over the past decade. This transformation has been largely driven by established corporates making significant investments in R&D, innovation, and entrepreneurial support. This approach has not only accelerated startup growth but has also enabled corporates to become more agile and innovative. Ultimately, it has benefited the broader economy by unlocking new business opportunities and driving value creation."
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