Redefining Possibilities Through Innovation, Design & Inclusion
Entrepreneurship, for me, has never been just about building businesses—it’s about designing ecosystems, fostering inclusivity, and driving transformative change. From grassroots community-building to AI-driven innovation, my journey has been a continuous pursuit of impact, creativity, and regeneration.
A Journey of Reinvention
It began with a vision to challenge the status quo. In 2012, I Co-founded Push Skateboards, Sri Lanka’s first skateboarding brand, not just as a business, but as a cultural movement. Through design, community-building, and strategic partnerships, I helped foster a new generation of skateboarders, redefining urban culture and youth empowerment. This venture earned me recognition as a finalist in the Venture Engine startup platform and the Asia-Pacific Young Entrepreneur Award.
But my entrepreneurial journey didn’t stop at Push Skateboards—it expanded into design, branding, and technology over time.
Building Brands That Drive Change
As the Co-Founder of KiCo Design Studio, I led a multidisciplinary design agency working across sports, sustainable fashion, entertainment, and education. Through collaborations with Nike, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, UNDP, Save the Children, and the Carter Center, I developed brand strategies and creative solutions that challenged norms and amplified meaningful stories.
At Ceylon Hop, I now lead branding and communications, shaping immersive storytelling and digital experiences for a new era of travel and cultural exploration in Sri Lanka.
Each venture has reinforced my belief that entrepreneurship is not just about business—it’s about creating experiences that shift perspectives and build lasting impact.
Proud Co.Lab – Innovating for Inclusion + Diversity
Recognizing the gaps in workplace diversity and inclusion, I founded Proud Co.Lab, an AI-powered HR tech platform designed to redefine hiring and talent development through inclusivity-first solutions. Selected as an incubatee at Euratechnologies, France, this venture is at the forefront of using technology to challenge biases and build equitable opportunities in the corporate world.
Through AI, data-driven insights, and human-centered design, Proud Co.Lab is paving the way for a new era of workplace culture—one that is diverse, regenerative, and built for the future.
The Entrepreneurial Mindset:
Regenerative, Inclusive & Conscious
Entrepreneurship, for me, is deeply intertwined with my commitment to regenerative consciousness, biohacking, and holistic growth. To me, entrepreneurship is an opportunity to weave together technology, spirituality and creativity to shape a world where innovation serves both humanity and the environment.
Each venture I build, every brand I shape, and all the technology I develop stem from the same core principle: creating impact that lasts beyond the present, crafting businesses that regenerate rather than exploit, and designing solutions that empower rather than exclude.
Kayleb Bandara 