As technology continues to evolve in 2024, the underrepresentation of women in STEM fields remains a pressing challenge. Despite the increasing demand for skilled professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), women comprise only 34% of the STEM workforce. This disparity often begins early, as girls and women are systematically guided away from science and math in their education, limiting their opportunities in these fields and creating a significant gender gap, particularly in high-growth sectors such as computer science and engineering. Urgent systemic change is needed to create a more inclusive and equitable STEM landscape.
Hatch, dedicated to promoting diversity and driving economic growth, has launched various business development initiatives aimed at increasing female entrepreneurs’ participation. In partnership with the Lankan Angel Network (LAN) and the Ford Foundation, Hatch hosted the local rounds of “She Loves Tech,” a global startup competition focused on bridging the funding gap for women-led and women-impact startups. This competition provides a unique platform that emphasizes community, mentorship, education, and investment opportunities, showcasing women-led startups on an international stage.
Since its inception in 2012, the Lankan Angel Network has played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s startup ecosystem, investing over Rs. 2 billion in more than 50 local startups through its network of over 100 angel investors. The Angel Fund, backed by the Ford Foundation, supports female entrepreneurs by providing essential resources to ensure their success in a competitive market.
The local rounds of She Loves Tech, held in August, were supported by key community partners, including Dialog Ideamart and Women In Tech – Sri Lanka. Four Sri Lankan tech innovators participated in the competition, benefiting from pitch coaching sessions and ultimately presenting their ideas to a panel of judges during the finale.
The competition’s winner was Nadini Perera, founder of Ceylon Speechie, a platform offering high-quality speech and language therapy services in Sri Lanka. Recognizing the increasing demand for specialized speech therapy, Ceylon Speechie provides comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for various speech and language disorders, catering to individuals of all ages. The team of experienced therapists at Ceylon Speechie is dedicated to improving communication skills and enhancing the quality of life for their clients.
In addition to Ceylon Speechie, three other female-led startups with tech-driven solutions participated in the competition:
- Dr. Dhanushi Hettiarachchi, CEO of Ophtha Innovations, focuses on developing advanced solutions in ophthalmology to enhance eye care.
- Petula Wijesinghe, founder of AnybanQ, has created an online platform that offers a unified interface for managing banking services across multiple Sri Lankan banks.
- Kristyna Lang, co-founder and managing director of Feelo, provides an online platform offering discounted deals and vouchers for a wide range of products and services across Sri Lanka.
As the competition winner, Nadini, along with runner-up Dhanushi, will pitch their businesses at the regional rounds of She Loves Tech, alongside startups from India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. They will receive valuable mentorship and feedback from experts throughout Southeast Asia before their presentations. While Sri Lanka did not secure a spot among the regional winners, Nadini expressed her gratitude for the experience: “Ceylon Speechie’s participation in the SLT semifinals as one of the top 10 women-led tech startups in the South Asian region was invaluable for our growth and networking. It was inspiring to see how women in the region are leveraging innovation, passion, and technology to address pressing problems while building profitable solutions. We are grateful to Hatch Works for the mentorship and resources that prepared Ceylon Speechie for this international competition. With support from SLT and Hatch’s AccelerateHer program, we are excited to launch Ceylon Speechie’s tech product in the coming weeks.”
Dr. Dhanushi also reflected on her experience, stating, “Participating in She Loves Tech has been transformative, offering invaluable opportunities to connect with a global community of innovators while amplifying our mission to revolutionize healthcare through cutting-edge technology.”
Hatch and the Lankan Angel Network remain committed to elevating female entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka. Through funding opportunities, business skill development, and mentorship programs, they aim to help women-led businesses scale and thrive, contributing to the broader goal of accelerating Sri Lanka’s economic growth while promoting gender diversity and inclusivity.
