BISpreneur: A New Chapter for BIS Innovators and Founders
On 21st November 2025, the Department of Information Technology at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura proudly launched BISpreneur, a long-term initiative designed to guide, support, and empower BIS undergraduates as they take their first real steps into the world of entrepreneurship.
This milestone didn’t appear overnight. It grew from a simple but powerful belief:
Students learn entrepreneurship best by experiencing it.
That belief led to our bold new final-year course introduced this year, “Technopreneurship in IS.” Instead of merely learning theories in a classroom, every student was asked to undertake a very real task, forming a Private Limited Company, starting operations, and working toward genuine business goals. For many, it was their first time dealing with customers, handling finances, or pitching an idea. For all, it was eye-opening.
This hands-on approach is one of the first of its kind in Sri Lanka. It pushed our students beyond comfort zones and into the mindset of founders. But we quickly realised that entrepreneurship does not fit into a single semester. Ideas need time. Businesses need support. Young innovators need guidance, reassurance, and space to grow.
That is how BISpreneur was born, not just as a project, but as a continuing ecosystem.
From Classroom Ideas to Real Businesses
The results from the first cohort were deeply inspiring:
- Every group successfully registered their own Private Limited Company, a major milestone for any young entrepreneur.
- One student venture, already active before the course, accelerated its growth dramatically and is now earning over LKR 1 million per month.
- Other newly formed startups are making steady, meaningful progress speaking to customers, refining their ideas, and building prototypes with passion and persistence.
Behind each of these achievements are young people discovering what they’re capable of when given the chance.
The Heart of BISpreneur: Support That Truly Matters
To help these ventures continue beyond the semester, BISpreneur now provides three key forms of support, each designed with real student needs in mind.
1. Mentorship that feels personal
Students receive guidance from academics and industry professionals who genuinely care about their growth, including
Ms. Miuli Kalubowila (Generation ALPHA) and
Mr. Sanjeeva Perera (BCS The Chartered Institute for IT – Sri Lanka Section).
Their advice, encouragement, and lived experience make all the difference.
2. Guidance on funding and investment
Through the support of Mr Oshin Bodhiwansa (Director, IT, NEDA, and BIS Alumna), students to real funding pathways and investor communities. Knowing that someone who once sat in the same classrooms is now helping them dream bigger is incredibly motivating.
3. A home for young startups
Thanks to the generous support of Nvision Holdings and Mr. Prasanna Pallegedara, a dedicated workspace similar to a startup incubator now serves as a home for BISpreneur teams. It’s a place where ideas can grow, teams can collaborate, and students can feel like the entrepreneurs they’re becoming.
A Launch That Matches the Moment
The official launch of BISpreneur was intentionally aligned with Global Entrepreneurship Week 2025, led in Sri Lanka by ICTA. This timing reflects our commitment to nurturing a vibrant entrepreneurial culture within the university, one that not only encourages creativity but also celebrates it.
Gratitude to the People Behind the Mission
BISpreneur is made possible by a collective effort. We extend heartfelt thanks to:
- Prof. Dushan Jayawickrama and the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce for trusting and supporting this pioneering initiative.
- The Department of Entrepreneurship, especially Prof. Rukmal Weerasinghe and Mr. Dhanuka Perera, whose mentorship shaped the learning journey.
- All staff members of the Department of Information Technology worked tirelessly behind the scenes.
- Our BIS Alumni Entrepreneur Network, whose presence reminded students of what’s possible.
- And of course, Nvision Holdings, for hosting the event and believing in our vision.
A Promise for the Future
BISpreneur is more than a program; it’s a commitment.
A commitment to help BIS students dream boldly.
A commitment to guide them as they build real solutions for real problems.
A commitment to support them not just for one semester, but for years to come.
With BISpreneur, we are opening the door for a new generation of innovators, founders, and changemakers. And if the early results are any indication, the future of BIS entrepreneurship looks bright, determined, and full of possibility.
