Sometimes, big ideas start with a simple conversation. Forus at Inivos, it was a shared belief that Sri Lankan talent had untapped potential to contribute to one of the world’s most exciting industries which is the Automotive Industry.

That belief led to something bigger. A partnership with ICT Group Netherlands that is already making waves in the local tech scene and laying the groundwork for something truly transformative.

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Establishing the Partnership

Our partnership with ICT Group Netherlands officially began with a visit from the ICT Automotive team, a division of ICT Group, to our office in Sri Lanka. With over 30 years of experience in the automotive sector, ICT Group is a trusted partner for industry giants such as Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, DAF, and others. Their reputation for delivering innovative, high-quality software solutions has made them a leader in automotive technology, from embedded systems to connected vehicle solutions.

During this initial engagement, both teams aligned on a shared vision: to connect Sri Lanka’s growing pool of skilled engineers with the evolving needs of the global automotive software sector.

The objective was clear: it was to build future-ready talent solutions for the automotive industry while creating meaningful career pathways for Sri Lankan engineers.

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Building a Community

We knew from the beginning that this couldn’t be just about hiring talent. It had to be about building something sustainable. So, we kicked things off by hosting Sri Lanka’s first-ever Automotive Software Engineering Community Meetup.

We were especially honoured to welcome His Excellency Iwan Rutjens, Deputy Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Sri Lanka, and Dr. Upeka Premaratne from the University of Moratuwa. Their presence reinforced just how meaningful this initiative is, not just for us, but for the entire region.

Together with ICT Automotive, we brought global and local voices together. Industry leaders like Jan Smets, Frederick Bas, and Marco DeBakker shared fresh perspectives on Software Defined Vehicles (SDVs), ACES (Autonomous, Connected, Electric, and Shared) technologies, and the opportunities for C++ engineers in the automotive software domain.

The event was a true milestone. It was remarkable to witness the energy and enthusiasm of the participants, many of whom were experiencing firsthand the vast opportunities available in the global automotive software space. The audience was highly engaged, actively interacting with the speakers, asking insightful questions, and showing a genuine eagerness to understand how they could be part of this evolving field.

For many, it was more than just an event, it was a turning point. Participants reflected a deep sense of excitement and inspiration. Many shared that this was their first exposure to the depth and breadth of possibilities in automotive software engineering, and they expressed strong interest in continuing their learning journey and contributing to this emerging industry.

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It wasn’t just a knowledge-sharing session. It was a catalyst for ambition, sparking new ideas and aspirations among Sri Lanka’s engineering talent. It made clear that Sri Lanka is on the path to becoming an emerging hub for automotive software innovation.

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Creating a Market That Didn't Exist

The most exciting part? We’re building something that didn’t exist before.

By forming this community and expanding our internal teams, we’re actively creating a market for automotive software engineers in Sri Lanka. The demand for skilled professionals in this space is growing globally, and with the rise in local graduates from automotive and electronic engineering programs, we saw the perfect opportunity to bridge the gap.

Today, our engineers are already contributing to real-world automotive projects, developing embedded systems and exploring next-generation mobility solutions.

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Looking Ahead,

This partnership isn’t just about filling roles. It’s about setting the foundation for a long-term ecosystem, one where engineers grow, innovation thrives, and Sri Lanka takes its rightful place on the global innovation map.

We’re committed to continuing this journey. Whether it’s through growing the community, expanding our team, or creating new learning opportunities, we’re here for the long haul.

And as we drive forward, we’re doing so with purpose, collaboration, and a strong belief in what Sri Lankan talent can achieve.

We’re just getting started, and we can’t wait to see what’s around the next corner.

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