J’pura wins big at Nestle – Project Connect

Team Twinkle which represented the University of Sri Jayewardenepura emerged as the winners of Project Connect. Organized by Nestle Lanka PLC, Project Connect provided a unique platform for disruptive new thinkers to come up with fresh and innovative ideas and hence create a positive impact to Sri Lanka.

The participants of the competition were assigned the task of either, innovating a new healthy, tasty and a nutritious product or pitching a sustainable solution for Nestle Lanka PLC.

Out of 69 ideas presented by 3-member teams of undergraduates from 5 Universities, Team Twinkle consisting of; Vindula Perera, Ishanika Seneviratne and Tharushi Egodahewage, from the Department of Finance of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura emerged victorious. Team Twinkle pitched POWERGANIC, a coconut water-based hypertonic (Isotonic + Revitalizer) as its unique idea.

All teams in the competition were assigned industry mentors (by Nestle Lanka PLC) for guidance. Team Twinkle was guided and mentored by Mr. Bandula Egodage, VP Corporate & Regulatory Affairs at Nestlé Lanka PLC.

Next, it is Team Nesleaf who made University of Sri Jayewardenepura proud again by being the runners-up of the same competition. The Team Nesleaf consisting of Mohamed Shakib from Department of Finance and Wageesh Rajapakshe & Isuru Udayanga from Department of Entrepreneurship pitched the product idea to the judgers. The Team Nesleaf’s idea was to bring back the traditional “Kola Kada” as NESLEAF in a revolutionized way to the customers. As per Shakib, his Mother Mrs. Rilwana made a huge impact on Team Neleaf’s performance by helping them to make the prototype while, Mr. Shamshard Marikkar, Head of Categories, Nestle Lanka PLC guided and mentored the team.

Since the commencement of the competition in September 2020, Mr. Ruwanga Wijesooriya of the Department of Finance was the University Mentor for both the teams.

The competition spanned from September 2020 to April 2021.