http://Array
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Apply Now
Inquire Now
John Keells wants to invest in you.
We’re offering seed funding of Rs. 2.5 million, our conglomerate’s connections, and follow up rounds of up to Rs. 50 million to accelerate your growth. We want to help you grow!
http://Array
Why JKX?
Early Stage Investment
You get vital early stage investment from a blue-chip investor. Up to 7 teams will get a Rs. 2.5 million investment EACH, for 6.25% of their company and follow up rounds of up to Rs. 50 million.
Not bad for 6 months work!
Training And Support
Each team gets trained on the ‘Disciplined Entrepreneurship’ framework created by Bill Aulet, Managing Director of the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship. Winners also get customized training focused on Growth and Scale, expert advice from Europe’s first growth hacking academy and mentorship from John Keells
Connections
You will have direct access to our Group’s businesses, employees and other connections. You could use our customers, channels, systems and data to test your MVP’s and iterate. Attracting customers, investors, and talent is much easier with Sri Lanka’s top conglomerate in your corner.
It’s also easier to explain to your parents 🙂
How it works
Apply
By February 6th, send a quick application and video to introduce your team and your idea. We’ll select around 30 teams.
Prepare To Pitch
Get trained on ‘Disciplined Entrepreneurship’ framework to get your product (MVP) and business model ready for Demo Day
Get Funded
Everyone pitches on Demo Day (June) and up to 7 teams win Rs. 2.5 million in seed capital, EACH.
Sky’s The Limit
JohnKeellsX will continue to support and grow with you along the way.
More Funding
Once your team is ready, you can get up to Rs. 50 million in follow-on funding.
Accelerate
Winning teams get office space, access to JKH companies, mentorship and training focused on growth from leading international trainers.
Experts
Growth Tribe
Europe’s first Growth Hacking Academy
Marius Ursache
Founder & MIT Teaching fellow
Vlad Bodi
Growth Consultant / Mentor
Judges
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Timeline
Phase I – March to June (2019)
Pre-Acceleration
3rd December | Applications Open
Applications open on December 3rd. Send a brief description of your idea and a video of your team. If you apply early we will have more time to read your application, which gives you a better chance to be selected.
6th January (Midnight) | Early Applicant Deadline
If you apply by the 6th of January (Midnight), we’ll give you feedback and you can re-apply based on that. Also, the first 60 applicants get invitations for an exclusive meetup (to meet the JKX team, judges, mentors and JKX alumni).
6th February (Midnight) | Applications close
February 6th (Midnight) is the last day to submit your application. We hope to announce teams on a weekly basis after the Early Applicant Deadline, so if you apply early we have more time to read your application, which gives you a better chance to be selected.
Up to 30 teams will be selected and informed during the month of March. Get ready!
March to May | Tuesday Meetups
Connect with the JohnKeellsX mentors and advisors each Tuesday as you prepare for Demo Day.
March to May | Disciplined Entrepreneurship
Don’t get ahead of yourself young Jedi, train up first. We’ll guide you through the latest MIT support
March to May | Training and Workshops
Get hands on training from JKH corporate services on important aspects such as legal, finance, secretarial, HR, etc.
The big day! Pitch your startup to the panel of judges. Up to 7 teams will be selected for a seed round investment of Rs. 2.5 million each.
Phase II – June to December (2019)
JKX Accelerator
Get customized training from leading international trainers. You will get comprehensive training on Customer Development, Products and Road maps, Building and Managing Teams, Growth, Marketing, Sales, Business Model Selection, Unit Economics, Execution and Planning etc.
June to December | Access to Customers and Channels
Funded teams get access to John Keells customers and channels to hit the ground running. Don’t underestimate how important your first customers are.
June to December | Weekly Progress Reviews
We’ll keep checking in with each company weekly, guiding and preparing them for the next steps in their journey.
June to December | Growth Marketing Curriculum
Experts from Growth Tribe (Netherlands) will train the JohnKeellsX startups on creating and managing rapid growth.
The second big day! Each team gets a chance to present their companies and vision to the JKH board. There’s the potential to earn up to Rs. 50 million in follow-on investment.
Phase I – March to June (2019)
Pre-Acceleration
3rd December | Applications Open
Applications open on December 3rd. Send a brief description of your idea and a video of your team. If you apply early we will have more time to read your application, which gives you a better chance to be selected.
6th January (Midnight) | Early Applicant Deadline
If you apply by the 6th of January (Midnight), we’ll give you feedback and you can re-apply based on that. Also, the first 60 applicants get invitations for an exclusive meetup (to meet the JKX team, judges, mentors and JKX alumni).
6th February (Midnight) | Applications close
February 6th (Midnight) is the last day to submit your application. We hope to announce teams on a weekly basis after the Early Applicant Deadline, so if you apply early we have more time to read your application, which gives you a better chance to be selected.
Up to 30 teams will be selected. Get ready!
March to May | Tuesday Meetups
Connect with the JohnKeellsX mentors and advisors each Tuesday as you prepare for Demo Day.
March to May | Disciplined Entrepreneurship
Don’t get ahead of yourself young Jedi, train up first. We’ll guide you through the latest MIT support
March to May | Training and Workshops
Get hands on training from JKH corporate services on important aspects such as legal, finance, secretarial, HR, etc.
The big day! Pitch your startup to the panel of judges. Up to 7 teams will be selected for a seed round investment of Rs. 2.5 million each.
Phase II – June to December (2019)
JKX Accelerator
Get customized training from leading international trainers. You will get comprehensive training on Customer Development, Products and Road maps, Building and Managing Teams, Growth, Marketing, Sales, Business Model Selection, Unit Economics, Execution and Planning etc.
June to December | Access to Customers and Channels
Funded teams get access to John Keells customers and channels to hit the ground running. Don’t underestimate how important your first customers are.
June to December | Weekly Progress Reviews
We’ll keep checking in with each company weekly, guiding and preparing them for the next steps in their journey.
June to December | Growth Marketing Curriculum
Experts from Growth Tribe (Netherlands) will train the JohnKeellsX startups on creating and managing rapid growth.
December | Board/ Investor pitch
Each team gets a chance to present their companies and vision to the JKH board. There’s the potential to earn up to Rs. 50 million in follow-on investment.
Our Industries
Startups that focus on the following industries will have an added advantage. This is where the synergy between your startup and Keells will be the best. We are also open to startups that operate in other industries.
Testimonials
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Our Partners
National Partner
Campaign Partner
Digital Media Partner
YouTube Partner
National Partner
Campaign Partner
Digital Media Partner
YouTube Partner
Latest Blog Posts
Shortlisted Teams For JKx 2017
This is the list of the 20 teams shortlisted for John Keells X, 2017. Of these, up to 7 may be funded companies after Demo Day (October),
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The JKX Meet-Up
Thank you for everyone who attended the meet-up. If you missed it, you can watch the whole live-stream here: If you haven’t already
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Meetup – June 5th
Would you like to attend a meetup with the leadership of John Keells Holdings and the KeellsX team? If you register now you.
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Latest News
John Keells X: Time to make that daydream your dream job!
13 January 2019
John Keells X Open Innovation Challenge gearing up for yet another edition
4 December 2018
Second John Keells Open innovation challenge 2017 gets underway
7 May 2017