Hatch appoints Dilhan Fernando as Chairman

Hatch has officially announced the appointment of Dilhan Fernando as their new Chairman, marking a significant milestone for the organization. Dilhan, who is also the Chairman, CEO, and Executive Director of Dilmah Tea, brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation, which have been instrumental in maintaining Dilmah’s leadership in the global tea industry.

Under Dilhan’s guidance, Dilmah has not only excelled in growing a globally renowned high-quality tea brand but has also prioritized social and environmental initiatives through the MJF Charitable Foundation and Dilmah Conservation. His dedication to community welfare and environmental stewardship reflects a deep-rooted commitment to making a positive impact beyond business.

Jeevan Gnanam, Co-founder and CTO of Hatch, expressed enthusiasm about Dilhan’s appointment, stating, “Dilhan brings years of experience of supporting the human spirit, and we are excited to have him on board, dawning a new era of purpose-driven entrepreneurship to enable Sri Lanka to rise to its economic challenges through entrepreneurship.” This sentiment underscores Hatch’s vision of fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka, aligning perfectly with Dilhan’s values and experience.

Dilhan Fernando’s appointment is expected to guide Hatch as it navigates the complexities of the current economic landscape, emphasizing the importance of purpose and community engagement in driving sustainable growth. His appointment is seen as a strategic move to enhance Hatch’s mission and expand its impact within the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Sri Lanka.

About Hatch

Hatch is an award-winning Sri Lankan co-working space, start-up incubator and accelerator.  Founded by Jeevan Gnanam and Brinda Selvadurai-Gnanam in 2018. Hatch operates physical co-working spaces in both Colombo and Jaffna and are on a mission to make innovation and entrepreneurship more accessible, sustainable, and inclusive to reflect the diversity we see in the world.

Hatch firmly believes in the role of entrepreneurs as drivers of economic progress and acknowledges the force of collaboration in sparking innovation. Hatch’s comprehensive approach supports startups extensively through meticulously designed programs, robust mentorship, and the facilitation of connections within local and global networks comprising partners, investors, and contributors.

Starting with just 28 start-ups, in five years, Hatch has supported over 700 start-ups. Of these, 33% of the founders are women-led or focused businesses. Hatch envisions an economy fueled by purpose-driven innovators and is on a mission to develop a thriving startup ecosystem to firmly set Sri Lanka as a startup nation.

ENDS