Description

The XELERATE’25 Awareness Session marked the official commencement of the entrepreneurship and innovation program organized by the IEEE Student Branch of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University. This inaugural event introduced participants to the vision, objectives, and structure of the XELERATE’25 series, aimed at empowering aspiring entrepreneurs with the skills and resources needed to transform ideas into viable ventures. Dr. Kalpana Ambepitiya delivered an engaging keynote highlighting the differences between business and entrepreneurship, with innovation as the defining factor. She explained the journey from invention to innovation to commercialization using relatable examples like Netflix, smartphones, and electric cars. The session covered essential entrepreneurial concepts such as value creation, market opportunity analysis, and calculated risk-taking, while also providing an overview of upcoming workshops. Participants engaged in an interactive Q&A before the session concluded with a virtual token of appreciation and a group photo.