“Galle” the perfect potential start-up ecosystem for Sri Lanka.
From the “Valley” of Northern California, Tel Aviv to Bangalore, and from Singapore, Sydney to Amsterdam these are few names that are highly cited when it comes to world’s top start-up ecosystems among many other leading cities,
Many successful start-ups and multinational corporations from U.S. / Europe and Oceania are investing in millions of rupees on the talent pool that is gathered around the city of Colombo in Sri lanka and are harvesting thousands of man hours worth billions of dollars every year.
Yes! it is true that these employees are highly paid more than the average guy who works for the government or the local private sector. but are they really happy? are they too comfortable and are afraid of change? There seems to be a lack of drive and passion towards what they do.
So I started asking questions from their immediate managers.
Here is what I asked and found.
Are they not innovative? The answer is Not Really!
Are they afraid of change? The answer is Not Really!
Are they hung-up so much on the benefits they get? Health Insurance, Paid leave, perhaps cocktail parties? Um… Nop!
So what seems to be the problem?
“Lack of Opportunities!” this was the answer I got when I raised the question to many talented professionals I interviewed or had a beer with during Jan 2013 to December 2014.
What if we could create opportunities?
What if we could divert the outsourced talent inwards? and focus on developing our own products?
What if we could build an ecosystem for start-ups ?
What if we could transform a city? by using its already existing infrastructure, resources, natural beauty, warmth and friendliness of the people who resides within.
For the task, I’ve Chosen City of Galle
But what about Colombo?
Why Galle?
Yes! Colombo is the commercial hub of Sri Lanka. and it’s got lots of resources and infrastructure and many other benefits, but then Colombo is too mechanized and is not easily transformable. on the other hand why Silicon Valley in Northern California Not NYC or Washington?
There is always something unique about each eco system.. each has it’s own unique culture, infrastructure, immigration, specialization or product offerings.
For Galle I have my rationale as follows.
Colombo is honest 1.2 hours away from Galle (If you drive within legal limits.. if not it’s just mere 45 mins and might cost you a speeding ticket around 50USD Max)
Infrastructure is as good and bad as in Colombo.
Low pollution, Enough fresh air to breathe. Sandy Beaches, Turquoise ocean with surf-able waves and Historic forts and museums to enjoy your weekends and afternoons. (Not to mention the great sea food. and whale watching, Diving and Snorkeling)
60% of the talented workforce in Colombo are from Southern Province of where Galle is the administrative capitol. (we could make them live with their family and loved ones instead of cramped boarding houses or expensive accommodations with cocky landlords in colombo)
Cheaper Rentals, Good Schools for Kids, Best Hospitals in the country after Colombo. (And less traffic after 6 PM)
All types of transportation is readily available to any adjacent city or suburb. (you could decide whether to take a train or a bus or a boat to Colombo)
A sudden Tsunami could pose a significant threat, but when you are living in an island; there is nowhere you could run and hide. (but you’d better run on such an event than waiting for a swim.)
I.M.H.O. I think Galle has the potential and capacity to grow and transform itself as an ecosystem for Start-ups, There are start-ups that are already in operation in Galle eg: www.lionweb.lk, www.rooms.lk and soon there will be more.
The ideal goal would be to get Galle on the Start-Up Gnome Yearly report and attract more investments and investors for products and services that are grown on our very own backyards by 2017.
In order to achieve that, we need young men and women who wants to become entrepreneurs. we need mentors who can support and guide them, we need angel investors who’d be dared enough to take on the challenge and last but most important the governments to open up many closed doors, such as making Paypal services available and further Tax reductions.
As Entrepreneurs are the consummate explorers of our generation. Every inch of land has been claimed by one of the world’s 204 countries but the world of ideas is expanding ever rapidly into the realm of the unknown.The future of the world was forever altered when Christopher Columbus and the Western World discovered The Americas. Today, societal transformations are triggered by the commercialization of new technology. The world of technology startups is our era’s Great Frontier.
More reads —
Why Startup Hubs Work- http://www.paulgraham.com/hubs.html
7 Startup Hubs From Around the World to Watch in 2014 — http://www.inc.com/ss/carolyn-cutrone/silicon-valley-cities-old
Creating A Great Entrepreneurial Ecosystem In Your City — http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FeldThoughts/~3/uX0pmeKdTkI/startup-communities-creating-a-great-entrepreneurial-ecosystem-in-your-city.html#ixzz3M5efBAR9
