The Audacity and Vision to Challenge Convention 

Pushing the boundaries of self and technology to defy naysayers, Delaxshana Manoharan, also known as Shana Karan, has shattered stereotypes and cultural norms by realizing her dream of being the first woman tech startup founder employing local youth and serving a global clientele out of the Vavuniya District in the Northern Province.

Operating far from the tech hubs of Colombo, Shana faced scepticism. Many doubted her ability to build and scale a tech startup in such a remote area, let alone attract a global clientele. But rather than deter her, these doubts fueled her resolve. Driven by a desire to prove the naysayers wrong, Shana took on the challenges of a conservative culture, a male-dominated industry, and fiercely competitive global markets.

She founded Shades IT Solutions at 24 soon after completing her Degree in Computer Science and Software Engineering. The company provides tech solutions to a growing clientele in the US, Canada, Australia, the UK and Europe, served by ten young tech professionals in the area, and Shana says revenue has grown on average 20% annually. The company provides a suite of tech solutions from web development to system applications, business branding, and social media management, and ventured into developing in-house platforms from POS systems, online restaurant management, customer relationship management and learning management systems.

Beyond her business, Shana is shaping the future. As a member of SLASSCOM, a board member of the Vavuniya ICT Association and a visiting lecturer, she is committed to democratizing technology and nurturing the next generation of innovators. Through Shades IT Solutions, she empowers young girls to break barriers just as she did, supporting them with resources to start their own ventures.