We provide a place for tech with special needs

Our early work laid a strong foundation in grassroots innovation, but long-term sustainability demanded a new approach. By reflecting on past challenges and future opportunities, we redefined our structure to better align with deep tech ecosystems and global collaboration models.

Problem

Despite the success of our grassroots initiatives, sustaining deep tech innovation in underserved regions revealed persistent structural challenges. Limited access to reliable infrastructure, the difficulty of retaining trained youth, and the constraints of operating under a non-profit model restricted both scale and continuity. These factors made it difficult to translate promising ideas into viable, long-term solutions. Without stronger institutional support and deeper private sector engagement, the potential for regional transformation remained largely untapped.

Motivation

Recognising the limitations of our earlier model, we saw a unique opportunity to reimagine our approach. We aimed to create a platform that could harness Sri Lanka’s local talent and contextual insights, while connecting with global expertise, tools, and resources. Our ambition was not just to solve problems—but to build a future-proof innovation engine that could co-develop sustainable technologies, scale beyond pilot projects, and foster a new generation of deep tech pioneers. This vision became the foundation of DTF.

Solution

Recognising the limitations of our earlier model, we saw a unique opportunity to reimagine our approach. We aimed to create a platform that could harness Sri Lanka’s local talent and contextual insights, while connecting with global expertise, tools, and resources. Our ambition was not just to solve problems—but to build a future-proof innovation engine that could co-develop sustainable technologies, scale beyond pilot projects, and foster a new generation of deep tech pioneers. This vision became the foundation of DTF.