LeadSpring | Second Podcast: Startup Growth Secret
Second Podcast: Startup Growth Secret
A Historic Milestone for IEEE Student Branch of SLIIT Launching the Very First Podcast Series – December 2025
In a bold step toward redefining student-led innovation at the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), the IEEE Student Branch of SLIIT proudly introduced its inaugural podcast series as the cornerstone of the groundbreaking LeadSpring 2025 initiative.
This marked the very first time the IEEE Student Branch at SLIIT ventured into podcast production — a creative fusion of digital storytelling, leadership inspiration, and real-world entrepreneurial opportunity. The series was masterfully organized by the IEEE IAS (Industry Applications Society) and IEEE PES (Power & Energy Society) Student Branch Chapters of SLIIT, in strong partnership with the IEEE IAS Sri Lanka Section and the wider IEEE Student Branch of SLIIT.
Both episodes were professionally recorded in a state-of-the-art environment at SpaceHub Studio, Malabe, and released on YouTube in early December 2025, instantly making high-quality mentorship accessible to undergraduates, young professionals, and aspiring entrepreneurs across Sri Lanka and globally.
Episode 2 – From Inspiration to Execution
Full Title: Startup Growth Secret with Mr. Yehan Bandara | LeadSpring Podcast | Episode 2
Release Date: December 12, 2025
Duration: 46 minutes
Platform & Link: YouTube – [Watch Episode 2 here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26_wV-WQQBU Growth Secret with Mr. Yehan Bandara | LeadSpring Podcast | Episode 2)
Moderated by Mr. Ramudu Welikala, this powerful follow-up featured Mr. Yehan Bandara, Managing Director of VYCO International. Key takeaways:
- Entrepreneurship reality check: “Not for the weak” – high pressure tolerance required
- Real journey: Childhood ventures → failed T-shirt business → successful Scaleup Socials & Lower Juice
- Strong advocacy for bootstrapping and service-based startups
- Golden rule: Superior customer relationships = best long-term marketing
- Advice: Build soft skills through IEEE/Rotaract, embrace AI changes, treat failure as fuel for deeper success
This debut podcast series perfectly complemented the high-energy LeadSpring 2025 physical event (December 13, 2025), which featured the Pitch Perfect startup competition and Discover Track workshops — creating an unforgettable pathway from inspiration → education → real investment opportunity.
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Yehan of Managing Director of VYCO International, founder of Scaleup Socials and Lower Juice, and a third-generation entrepreneur
PODCAST - EPISODE 02 - "Startup Growth Secret "
Episode 2: Startup Growth Secret
Date: Uploaded on December 12, 2025
Platform: YouTube
Youtube link: Startup Growth Secret with Mr. Yehan Bandara | LeadSpring Podcast | Episode 2
Duration: 46 minutes
Speaker name: Mr. Yehan Bandara
Moderated by Mr. Ramudu Welikala, this episode featured Mr. Yehan Bandara, Managing Director of VYCO International. Mr. Yehan Bandara shared his journey and insights into the world of startups, emphasizing that entrepreneurship is "not for the weak" and requires a high tolerance for pressure. Mr. Bandara detailed his transitions from early childhood ventures and a failed T-shirt business to founding thriving companies like Scaleup Socials and Lower Juice, highlighting how his network engineering background provided him with essential problem-solving skills and a strategic mindset. He strongly advocated for bootstrapping and starting with service-based businesses to build capital rather than relying on risky early-stage loans or external funding, noting that "calculated risk" is vital for sustainable growth. A central theme of the session was the importance of customer relationship management, where providing "something extra" and maintaining personal connections serve as the most effective long-term marketing strategies. Furthermore, he encouraged undergraduates to enhance their soft skills through networking, volunteering in societies like IEEE or Rotaract, and staying adaptable to rapid technological advancements like AI. Mr. Bandara concluded by noting that failure is an essential part of the process, suggesting that the roots of success are deeper for those who learn from their early setbacks.
Biography:
Mr. Yehan Bandara is an ambitious entrepreneur, engineer, and marketer specializing in computer networking, systems engineering, marketing, and enterprise resource planning. Holding a postgraduate degree in professional marketing and business strategy, he navigates dynamic business realms to drive innovation and growth across multiple ventures. His work continues to inspire emerging professionals through strategic insights and practical approaches in entrepreneurship and technology.