Growing by Doing ⚙️

With the first half of the year behind us, we're excited to share some of the inspiring work unfolding across the Good Life X community. From our alumni making waves globally to programme participants building new skills and collaborations, here's a look at what's been growing this month ✨

→ The 3rd workshop for Cohort 1 of Hyacinthesis Accelerator took place at Panda Farmacy, focusing on practical knowledge on environmental responsibility, safety, and sustainability in water hyacinth harvesting 🌱 Informative sessions were facilitated by GLX Expert and Co-founder of Thuru and Zero Trash Hasanka Padukka, Dilip Alwis from MAS Foundation for Change, as well as Shalila, local inventor of the water hyacinth harvesting machine.

Through a hands-on learning experience led by Panda Farmacy Founder Dr Paul Christopher, participants explored how water hyacinth can be used in worm composting systems to repurpose production offcuts ♻️ The workshop also included a tour of the experiential farm, showcasing circular economy principles and organic farming practices.

→ Cohort 2 of the Circular Economy in the Food Sector programme featuring Silk Route Ventures, Clean Tech, Saara Labs, AR Naturals, Navigata, Jaffna Horticulture, Seashore Garden, and Ai Grow kicked off its Design Labs this month. Co-facilitated by Director & Advisor Arj Wignaraja and Director Vihangun Ariyaratne, the companies were taken through personalised sessions on each THRIVE Canvas Pillar, aligned with their programme priorities, enabling them to rethink their businesses regeneratively through a future-proof lens.

Next, the cohort will take on an implementation sprint, actively pursuing the goals they set during the Design Labs! 🎨

→ Our founder, Randhula de Silva, joined a panel discussion at #FutureWorks: A Conversation on the Next Generation of Jobs in Sri Lanka. Organised by The World Bank Group and University of Colombo, the gathering brought together thought leaders to discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping the country’s evolving workforce 🎓

→ The 4th workshop of Hyacinthesis Accelerator was conducted by Shopbooks at the Good Life X offices. Participants learned practical approaches to financial management, including how to stay organised, track finances effectively, and build stronger financial foundations for their ventures 📊 They also received one-on-one guidance on using the Shopbook app, helping them apply these tools directly to their businesses.

→ The workshop was followed by Market Exposure Visits to the facilities of the programme's retail partners: Lady J, Pendi, Selyn and BAREFOOT Colombo, allowing participants to better understand the local retail ecosystem, explore different merchandising approaches, and connect their learning to real-world market contexts.

→ Workshops for the GCF Knuckles Accelerator officially kicked off, covering key areas essential for building resilient and regenerative enterprises. Participants explored Business Foundations and the THRIVE Business Model Canvas, Building Climate-Resilient Value Chains, Digital Tools, Branding & Growth Pathways, and Market, Customer & Value Proposition, laying a strong foundation for the journey ahead.

→ Our Founder Randhula de Silva, was a featured speaker at Catalyze 2026, hosted by the UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka. She shared thought-provoking perspectives on the future of business and innovation, exploring how AI can remain a tool while people lead the vision through creativity, how organisations can move beyond compliance towards courage, and how strategies can be built with communities at the center 💡 Her message highlighted a powerful idea: the future is not something we inherit, but something we choose to create 🫆

→ Congratulations to alumnus Lala Studio on being featured in Elevare Magazine ✨ The feature highlights the studio’s creative journey, distinctive design approach, and growing impact within Sri Lanka’s creative landscape, bringing well-deserved recognition to their work and vision 🎨

→ Alumnus Plantation Villa is showcasing their remarkable venture of success through an independent documentary “A Quiet Heart” inspired by the story of founder Ishara De Silva and the origins of Plantation Villa 🎬 Produced by a BAFTA-nominated British director and a Hollywood producer as a passion project, the film has already been selected for screening at the Portugal Film Festival and is confirmed to screen at the London World Film Festival later this year, with additional consideration underway for the New York World Film Festival 🎭

→ Alumnus artist Kuweni Dias was selected as a finalist for the prestigious Churchie Emerging Art Prize. Her artwork, originally created for The Routes We Take, was chosen among just 17 finalists from over 1,500 entries. As Australia’s longest-running award for emerging artists, the prize offers valuable exposure, professional development, and networking opportunities, further recognising Kuweni’s growing impact in the contemporary art space. Congratulations!✨

New here? Good Life X designs regenerative solutions for South Asia’s transition from extractive to thriving systems. We have worked with over 200 businesses and entrepreneurs across food, agriculture, textiles, wellness, technology, and tourism to build models where profit and purpose grow together - like nature intended.