Dr. Madhu Fernando, CEO of Innova Strategies and an editorial member of Global CEO Magazine, recently engaged in a conversation with Ms. Lakmini Wijesundara, founder and CEO of BoardPack and IronOne Technologies. Below are the excerpts from their discussion.
Q: Lakmini, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your success journey with BoardPack?
Lakmini: Thank you so much. It’s a great pleasure to be here, and I truly appreciate the invitation. To share a bit about myself, I am a tech entrepreneur from Sri Lanka. This is somewhat rare, particularly as a female entrepreneur, which adds an interesting dimension to my journey.
I am the founder of two companies—IronOne Technologies and BoardPack. Today, I’d like to focus on BoardPack. When we started the company, we were searching for innovative, globally scalable products. Success didn’t come instantly; it required perseverance and experimentation.
BoardPack began when a Sri Lankan bank wanted to move from paper-based board meetings to a secure digital platform. Within weeks, we realised the demand extended across Sri Lanka, and astonishingly, within a month, we went global. The product went viral, and today, I am proud to say we serve over 50,000 board members in 40 countries. Our clientele includes industry giants like Petronas, OCBC Bank, the Reserve Bank of India, and many Forbes and Fortune-ranked companies. It has been an incredible journey, and I’m excited to share this story with you.
Q: That’s truly inspiring. Did you face any challenges during your journey, especially as you expanded globally?
Lakmini: Absolutely. Being in technology, we’ve been fortunate to work in an industry without physical boundaries. Unlike manufacturing, which faces logistical and regulatory constraints, IT offers limitless possibilities if the product and service are strong.
That said, there’s often a mindset in small countries like Sri Lanka that we should limit our ambitions to smaller markets before expanding globally. Thankfully, BoardPack’s growth was so rapid that we bypassed those limitations entirely. We immediately entered global markets, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.
For tech entrepreneurs, my advice is this: if you believe in your product, don’t let doubts or conventional thinking hold you back. BoardPack’s journey proves that a Sri Lankan company can thrive internationally if the product delivers value.
Q: What sets BoardPack apart from other products, and how has it transformed board meetings?
Lakmini: BoardPack stands out because of its unique combination of advanced technology and exceptional customer service. We place immense importance on engaging with our clients to understand their needs and evolve the product accordingly.
Some of our key features include advanced security, efficiency, and now Artificial Intelligence (AI). For instance, our AI-powered feature, AIQ Me, enables board members to ask questions and receive intelligent, summarised answers instantly. This saves them hours of preparation and allows them to focus on decision-making.
We also provide document summarisation, which helps streamline lengthy board meetings. Meeting minutes, summaries, and actionable insights are generated intelligently, making the entire process seamless. Currently, we’re the first in the market to offer these AI-driven capabilities, and I’m thrilled to share that BoardPack has been ranked number one in Asia and number two globally.
Q: That’s remarkable. What’s your vision for the future, both for BoardPack and the Sri Lankan ICT industry?
Lakmini: My vision is twofold. First, on a national level, I want Sri Lanka to achieve greater recognition in the global ICT industry. The country needs export income, and the ICT sector is poised to contribute significantly.
Second, I aspire for BoardPack to become Sri Lanka’s first unicorn—a privately-held startup valued at over $1 billion. Achieving this milestone would not only elevate our company but also inspire other entrepreneurs to pursue ambitious goals. I’m confident we are on the right track to achieve this vision.
Q: That’s a bold and admirable goal. Finally, what advice would you give to young entrepreneurs, especially those aspiring to follow in your footsteps?
Lakmini: My advice is simple: Anything worthwhile is rarely easy. Challenges are a given, but they are what make success meaningful. Find something you are passionate about, something rare and valuable, and commit to it wholeheartedly. Perseverance is key.
I also want to emphasise the importance of teamwork and the support of the community. My success is not just my own—it is the result of countless people and collaborations. Focus, determination, and a strong network will take you far.
Q: Thank you, Lakmini Wijesundera, for sharing your inspiring journey with us. Your story is a testament to the potential of Sri Lankan innovation on the global stage.
Lakmini: Thank you Global CEO Magazine for this opportunity. It has been a pleasure speaking with you today.
