Fortude concludes all-female Ignite 2.0 tech internship

Fortude has reaffirmed its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion with the successful conclusion of the second edition of Ignite, Sri Lanka’s first all-female technology internship programme.

Held from August 11 to 22, Ignite 2.0 brought together 12 young women from six leading universities for two weeks of immersive learning, mentorship and industry exposure. The programme was designed to equip participants with both technical knowledge and professional skills, preparing them to be successful future leaders in the technology industry.

The initiative comes against the backdrop of persistent challenges around female participation and retention in technology. As AI continues to reshape every industry, without proactive upskilling and inclusive pathways the changes could deepen these inequalities. Ignite was conceived to address this challenge head-on by providing a structured pathway for women to enter—and thrive in the evolving tech ecosystem.

Fortude Chief People Officer Oshana Dias said, “Ignite is not just an internship; it is our commitment to reshaping the future of technology. We believe that balanced gender representation is essential to driving innovation and competitiveness. Through Ignite, we are creating a platform where young women are equipped with the skills, mentorship and confidence to lead from the outset of their careers. This is how we begin to close the industry gap and build a technology sector that is more inclusive, resilient and prepared for the challenges ahead.”

Ignite 2.0 featured more than 25 curated sessions and 600+ learning hours, supported by over 40 Fortude facilitators. Each intern was paired with a mentor, ensuring personalised guidance and at least two dedicated ‘mentor connects’. The learning plan was designed to provide a holistic understanding of the technology industry, exposure to Fortude’s practices and professional development for a smoother transition into the corporate world.

Participants engaged in Fortude’s Inside Fortude deep-dive series covering consulting, AI and product development, along with workshops on corporate etiquette, personal branding, LinkedIn strategy, critical thinking and problem-solving. They also connected with Fortude’s leadership through a fireside chat, panel discussions with women in tech and an alumni sharing session, while the company’s Guiding Leadership & Outreach team conducted two full-day immersive engagements.