Description

The Grand Finale of IX 24, Hosted at the GP Square Auditorium, Bambalapitiya, on September 7th and 8th 2024, brought together over 100 participants, including delegates from IIT, representatives from partner companies, the organizing committee, and a distinguished panel of judges. The finale, a 24-hour designathon, commenced at 9 AM on the 7th and concluded at 6 PM on the 8th. The top 12 finalist teams, selected from the initial phase of the competition, participated in an intense 24-hour challenge held overnight at the IIT premises. During this period, they worked tirelessly to refine their innovative solutions. After the completion of the challenge, each team presented their final pitches to the panel of judges, showcasing their ideas, progress, and strategies developed throughout the competition. This evaluation culminated in the award ceremony, where the most innovative and creative solutions were recognized and celebrated. The judging panel featured distinguished industry experts, including Ms. Sajani Lokuge, Senior UX Designer at IFS, Mr. Mino Gallawatta, Lead UX Designer at Atmoz, Mr. Hiran Karunananda, Head of UX/UI at Ascentic, and Mr. Mark Goonewardene, Senior UI/UX Lead at Surge Global. The event’s success was made possible by the invaluable support of 20 partner companies, whose contributions were instrumental. Now in its fourth edition, IX 24 attracted over 500 students from universities across Sri Lanka. Over the course of two months, participants and the organizing committee worked tirelessly to ensure the event's success. A series of workshops, held both virtually and in person, provided valuable hands-on learning experiences, enhancing the overall journey for participants. IX 24 highlighted the creativity, commitment, and entrepreneurial spirit of Sri Lanka’s emerging innovators, raising the bar for future competitions.