Build. Pitch.
Launch.
A premier digital entrepreneurial competition for undergraduates, designed to transform innovative tech ideas into scalable startups through mentorship, funding opportunities, incubation support, and industry exposure.
Register for the Challenge
Scan the QR code and submit your tech-driven business idea with your team.
Funding the Next Big Idea
Winning teams receive cash prizes, mentorship, incubator access, and opportunities to connect with investors and industry leaders.
Winner
1st Runner Up
2nd Runner Up
Where Startup Ideas Become Real Ventures
The Technopreneur Challenge bridges the gap between innovation and commercialization by helping young entrepreneurs pitch, develop, validate, and launch tech-driven startups.
Launchpad
Validation
Pitch
Build
Growth
Expert Mentorship
Guidance from entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, IT professionals, startup founders, and tech leaders.
Investment & Funding
Potential access to angel investment, startup grants, corporate sponsorships, and real funding opportunities.
Incubation Support
Winning teams receive access to SLIIT’s Innovation & Incubation Center and acceleration support.
Industry Collaboration
Partnerships with tech firms, accelerators, government agencies, mentors, and industry networks.
Three Phases. One Startup Journey.
From idea submission to mentorship and the final investor showdown, each phase is designed to help teams sharpen their business concept and prepare for the real startup world.
The Open Call
Teams submit a tech-driven business idea including problem statement, solution approach, market analysis, and revenue model. The top 20 teams are shortlisted based on innovation, feasibility, scalability, and impact.
Incubation & Mentorship Bootcamp
Selected teams enter a four-week bootcamp with workshops on business models, funding strategies, UX/UI, marketing, pitching, market analytics, customer validation, and prototype development.
The Grand Pitch
The top 10 teams present their startup ideas in a Shark Tank-style live pitch to industry experts and investors. Teams are judged on innovation, viability, scalability, financial projections, and presentation skills.
Who Can Join?
Team Size & Eligibility
- ✓Open to undergraduates from universities and higher education institutes.
- ✓Teams must consist of 3–4 members.
- ✓Each participant can only be part of one team.
- ✓No restriction on technologies or syllabus areas.
Submission Requirements
- ✓Teams must register through the CODEFEST platform by the deadline specified by the organizing committee.
- ✓Submissions must include a business plan.
- ✓All work must be original and comply with ethical standards.
- ✓Teams refine their pitch and prepare a working prototype or MVP.
Impact & Outcomes
- ✦Empowers undergraduates with real-world entrepreneurial skills.
- ✦Strengthens Sri Lanka’s startup ecosystem through tech-driven enterprises.
- ✦Encourages academic-industry collaboration to drive digital innovation.
- ✦Positions SLIIT as a leader in technopreneurship and innovation.
Rules & Conduct
- !Teams retain ownership of their ideas but must grant organizers the right to showcase them.
- !No plagiarism or use of pre-existing projects is allowed.
- !Participants must maintain professionalism and respect competitors, judges, and mentors.
- !Misconduct, including cheating, may result in disqualification.
Balanced Evaluation
Teams are evaluated across innovation, business potential, technical strength, scalability, and pitch quality.
Innovation & Creativity
Market Viability
Technical Feasibility
Business Model & Scalability
Pitch Quality & Presentation
Turn Your Digital Idea Into a Startup.
Build your team, validate your idea, prepare your business plan, and join the Technopreneur Challenge. Scan the QR code to register and begin your startup journey with SLIIT CODEFEST 2026.