Hatch holds Govi Lab AgriTech Accelerator 2nd cohort

Hatch, an innovation and entrepreneurship platform, announced the successful conclusion of the second cohort of its GoviLab AgriTech Accelerator programme, run in partnership with the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement. 

The programme is designed to champion technological innovation and scale-up high-potential solutions within Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector, with a specific focus on uplifting smallholder farmers.

GoviLab was launched in August 2023 under the government’s Inclusive Digital Agriculture Transformation initiative. It operates as a national accelerator for post-revenue agri and agri-tech businesses, providing structured support including technical expertise, business advisory, market access, ecosystem partnerships and capacity building.

Over the past two years (2024-2026), the accelerator has supported a total of 20 start-ups across two cohorts. These efforts are closely aligned with the national priorities on agricultural productivity, sustainability, digital adoption and inclusive economic growth.

Hatch Innovation CEO Mevan Peiris stated, “Through the GoviLab AgriTech Accelerator, we are providing the national platform necessary to positively disrupt this sector and take it to the future-ready state it needs to be.”

The programme has showcased a diverse range of innovative agritech solutions, including:

• Drone technology for paddy fertiliser application and coconut cultivation management
• Precision agriculture solutions for greenhouses and open-field cultivation
• Multiple technologies to better manage human-wildlife conflict
• Locally manufactured agri-machinery
• Digital technologies aimed at significantly improving working conditions of labourers, access to finance and yield optimisation

The second cohort’s journey culminated in a highly successful demo day on March 10, 2026, where the participating start-ups presented their refined solutions to the industry stakeholders, partners and ecosystem leaders, connecting them with vital networks and resources to scale their impact.

Sarvodaya Shramadhana Movement President Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne added, “Our collaboration with Hatch on GoviLab is a testament to the power of combining technological innovation with grassroots development.”