Uber Springboard 2026 Backs Sri Lanka’s Next Wave of Tech Entrepreneurs
Photograph: Daily Mirror.
Three Sri Lankan startups working in clean energy, artificial intelligence and logistics have been selected for Uber Springboard 2026, an annual mentorship initiative connecting emerging entrepreneurs with global technology expertise. Chosen from a record 150 applications, Thingsnode, MonChron and NeuroFleets will take part in structured mentorship sessions with senior Uber technology and business leaders at the company’s Tech Centre of Excellence in Hyderabad, India.
The selection brings together three distinct examples of Sri Lankan innovation: a clean-energy technology company whose solutions support more than 500 megawatts of renewable energy capacity; an AI video-editing tool founded by an 18-year-old; and a Jaffna-based logistics startup developing autonomous systems for warehouse operations.
Now in its third edition, Uber Springboard is organised in collaboration with Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Digital Economy. The programme offers founders practical guidance in product development, technology, business strategy and scaling operations. Its Hyderabad sessions will provide the selected founders with an opportunity to learn from experienced technology and business leaders as they consider how to strengthen and grow their ventures.
For the three teams, the mentorship marks the next stage of a selection process that drew a record number of applications. It also recognises the breadth of ideas emerging across Sri Lanka, where founders are applying technology to challenges in energy, creative industries and logistics.
Clean-energy technology with a substantial footprint
Thingsnode, founded by Migara Amithodhana, is developing technology to make renewable-energy operations smarter. Its systems monitor and optimise clean-energy assets, and the company’s solutions are already supporting more than 500 MW of renewable energy capacity.
The figure offers a sense of the scale at which the company’s work is being applied. Renewable energy systems rely on effective monitoring and coordination, and digital tools can help operators manage assets more intelligently. Through its focus on monitoring and optimisation, Thingsnode is working in a sector with relevance both within Sri Lanka and internationally.
The Springboard mentorship will give the founding team access to guidance on areas including product development and business strategy. As the company continues to develop its solutions, advice from experienced technology and business leaders may help it assess how best to refine its products and plan for further growth.
An AI-powered approach to video editing
MonChron, founded by 18-year-old Ganidhu Kandepola, is reimagining video editing through an AI-powered tool. The platform is designed to let content creators around the world automate complex post-production tasks through simple conversations.
Video editing can involve a series of detailed and time-consuming processes. MonChron’s approach uses conversational interaction to make those tasks more accessible, enabling creators to describe what they need rather than manage every element of post-production manually. The idea places the startup at the intersection of artificial intelligence and digital content production.
Kandepola’s age adds a notable dimension to the story, while the selection itself recognises the potential of a product aimed at a global community of creators. The forthcoming mentorship sessions will offer an opportunity to examine product development and the practical considerations involved in building a technology business capable of serving users in different markets.
Sri Lanka has also seen other technology initiatives developed by young teams, including SLIIT’s Team Akura and its AI platform for teaching Sinhala. Such projects illustrate the variety of ways in which local innovators are applying digital tools to language, creative work and everyday challenges.
A Jaffna startup tackles warehouse logistics
NeuroFleets, a Jaffna-based startup co-founded by Lavanya Ratanbala and Robinroy Peter, is developing a different kind of technology solution. The company uses edge AI and autonomous hardware to coordinate logistics fleets and eliminate downtime in third-party logistics warehouses.
The startup’s location is significant in the context of this year’s programme, which includes a business emerging from beyond Colombo. Its work also illustrates how new technology can be applied to the practical movement and coordination of goods. In warehouse environments, fleet coordination and reduced downtime can contribute to more efficient operations.
NeuroFleets’ combination of edge AI and autonomous hardware places it among the winners working at the meeting point of artificial intelligence, robotics and logistics. The Hyderabad programme will provide structured mentorship for the co-founders as they develop their product and consider the demands of scaling an operational technology business.
Mentorship and the opportunity to scale
The founders will receive hands-on support from senior Uber technology and business leaders at the Hyderabad Tech Centre. The programme is intended to provide practical guidance rather than recognition alone, with topics spanning product development, technology, business strategy and scaling operations.
For emerging companies, access to experienced expertise can help founders test assumptions, identify areas for improvement and consider how their products may serve customers as they grow. The programme’s structure gives the three teams an opportunity to engage with perspectives shaped by Uber’s global technology and business experience.
Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne congratulated the winners and described the applications as a sign of innovation and enterprise emerging from Sri Lanka. He 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.’
Varun Wijewardane, Country Manager – Delivery, Uber Sri Lanka, also highlighted the range of sectors represented among the winners and the emergence of innovation from beyond Colombo. He 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.’
A positive signal for entrepreneurs
The record 150 applications indicate a strong level of interest in the initiative this year, while the selected startups demonstrate the variety of ideas being developed across the country. Thingsnode, MonChron and NeuroFleets differ in their technologies and markets, yet each is building a practical solution with potential relevance beyond its immediate setting.
Their selection is encouraging for young Sri Lankan entrepreneurs at home and abroad, including those considering how to turn technical skills or original ideas into sustainable businesses. The programme’s focus on mentorship underscores the value of pairing entrepreneurial drive with practical advice, specialist knowledge and a clear approach to growth.
As the founders prepare for structured sessions in Hyderabad, their progress will be followed with interest by a broad community of Sri Lankans who value achievement in technology and enterprise. Uber Springboard 2026 places three promising local ventures in conversation with global expertise, and highlights the talent and ambition being developed across Sri Lanka.
Source: https://www.dailymirror.lk/business/Uber-backs-Sri-Lankas-next-wave-of-tech-entrepreneurs/215-354743 (Daily Mirror; Uber programme details as reported by Daily Mirror).
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