First Capital and Hatch share a common vision for Sri Lanka’s future.
Both organisations believe that true progress comes from empowering bold ideas and supporting entrepreneurs with the courage to build innovative solutions for the country and beyond.
For Hatch, the initiative marks a natural next step.
Over the years, it has been the first home for Sri Lanka’s startup dreamers, providing a safe space where ideas grow into ventures and ventures evolve into stories of impact.
Hatch has walked alongside founders, helping them secure funding, access markets and imagine a future beyond borders.
For First Capital, the partnership represents an extension of its legacy.
With more than four decades of building trust, creating access and fueling progress in Sri Lanka’s financial markets, the company now brings that spirit of investment to a more human level, backing the innovators who will shape the next chapter of the nation’s story.
First Capital Startup Nation by Hatch is designed to identify the top 10 startups in Sri Lanka from a competitive pool of more than 183 applications.
The selected ventures will gain access to best-effort support to secure USD 100,000 in funding, as well as follow-on funding opportunities.
Beyond capital, the programme provides exposure, mentorship, and access to global investor networks.
With a focus on solutions that address pressing local challenges, fast-growing early-stage startups with post-revenue traction, and B2C models with global expansion potential, the initiative seeks to position Sri Lankan startups on the international stage while contributing to economic growth at home.
The programme schedule includes startup onboarding, workshops and competitions from September 16 to 25, investor networking, policy dialogues and roundtables on September 29 and 30, and a grand showcase event, investor demo day and closing celebrations on October 1.
Commenting on the sponsorship, Dilshan Wirasekara, Managing Director and CEO of First Capital Holdings PLC said,
“At First Capital, innovation and entrepreneurship are central to who we are.
For more than 40 years we have opened doors in Sri Lanka’s financial markets by building trust and creating access.
Partnering with Hatch on First Capital Startup Nation allows us to bring that legacy into the startup ecosystem, supporting entrepreneurs with bold ideas who can make a real impact on our economy and society.
We are committed not only to sponsoring, but also to exploring opportunities to invest in these startups and walk with them as they grow.
This is about continuing our founder Mr. C.T.A. Schaffter’s vision of purposeful progress and building the next chapter of Sri Lanka’s innovation story.”
Jeevan Gnanam, Co-founder of Hatch, added,
“First Capital Startup Nation is designed to address persistent gaps in funding and market access, providing startups with the resources, mentorship and global exposure they need to grow.
For Hatch, this programme is a natural continuation of what we have always done, being the first home for Sri Lanka’s founders, helping them raise capital, find markets and dream beyond borders.
Partnering with First Capital is the obvious next step.
Their financial expertise, networks and decades of trust make them the ideal ally in taking Sri Lankan startups to the global stage.
Together we are not just running a programme, we are shaping an ecosystem where Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurs can thrive and compete internationally.”
As Sri Lanka stands at a pivotal moment in unlocking its entrepreneurial potential, First Capital Startup Nation by Hatch represents more than a competition.
It is a catalyst for long-term growth, innovation and global competitiveness.
By joining forces, First Capital and Hatch reaffirm their role as partners in progress, enabling startups to chart new frontiers and shaping a future where Sri Lankan enterprises thrive on the world stage.
About First Capital Holdings PLC
First Capital Holdings PLC is a listed full-service investment institution in Sri Lanka, operating as a primary dealer, corporate finance advisor, wealth manager and stockbroker.
With strong emphasis on upholding stability, fostering a competitive advantage, and providing an exceptional customer experience, together with the support of JXG (Janashakthi Group), First Capital focuses on staying true to its ‘Performance First’ ethos.
The company has been recognised as the Most Valuable Consumer Brand in the Investment Banking sector by Brand Finance for two consecutive years.
With over four decades of expertise in providing capital market solutions, the Credit Ratings of First Capital Holdings PLC and First Capital Treasuries PLC (subsidiary) were upgraded by Lanka Credit Rating Agency Limited (LRA) from “A” to “A+” with the outlook revised from positive to stable.
About Hatch
Hatch Works (Pvt) Ltd is Sri Lanka’s flagship startup hub, an award-winning incubator, accelerator, and co-working space based in the heart of Colombo.
Since its founding in 2018 by Jeevan Gnanam, Brindha Selvadurai-Gnanam, and Nathan Sivagananathan, Hatch has evolved into a dynamic ecosystem that champions innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic growth.
Purpose-built to empower startups from ideation to scale, Hatch offers not only state-of-the-art coworking facilities, from hot desks to private offices, but also a deeply curated support system for founders at every stage.
Its incubation and acceleration programmes, such as Slingshot, provide critical access to mentorship, funding opportunities, and global investor networks.
Hatch has been instrumental in nurturing over 700 startups and currently serves more than 1,000 entrepreneurs through its coworking infrastructure, with plans underway to scale capacity to over 3,000 seats.
Recognised globally, Hatch earned the title of “Best Co-Working Space in the World” at the 2021 Global Startup Awards, a testament to its impact on Sri Lanka’s innovation landscape.
Beyond infrastructure, Hatch serves as a vibrant community where founders, creatives, technologists, and changemakers come together to build the future.
With a mission to position Sri Lanka as a leading hub for entrepreneurship in South Asia, Hatch continues to play a catalytic role in shaping the country’s innovation economy, one startup at a time.
Photo captions left to right - Jeevan Gnanam, Co-founder of Hatch and Dilshan Wirasekara, Managing Director and CEO of First Capital Holdings PLC.