# Vinoda Basnayake

> Vinoda Basnayake is a Washington-based entrepreneur and government relations consultant. He is the founder and CEO of VERSUS Equity, whose work spans hospitality, marketing, events, and venture investments, and managing partner of VS Global. His career began in student party promotion and touring with Jay Sean; he later trained in law at the University of Pennsylvania and became the first chair of Washington’s Commission on Nightlife and Culture.

- **Role:** Founder and Chief Executive Officer at VERSUS Equity
- **Organizations:** VERSUS Equity, VS Global, DC Commission on Nightlife and Culture, Georgetown Entrepreneurship, AAPI Victory Fund, Nelson Mullins (former partner), Patton Boggs (former counsel), Aspiration (former president and senior advisor on global partnerships)
- **From:** Washington, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor of Business Administration; finance and international business, Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business, Juris Doctor, University of Pennsylvania Law School, Certificate in Public Policy, The Wharton School
- **Known for:** First chair of Washington’s Commission on Nightlife and Culture, appointed in 2020., Recognized as a Top Lobbyist of 2020 by the National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics., Recognized in Washington Business Journal’s 40 Under 40.

## Career timeline

- **2003** — Graduated from Georgetown; booked early US shows for Jay Sean and organized a US tour.
- **2005-2008** — Studied at Penn Law; served as senior editor of the Journal of International Law.
- **2010** — Opened Eden nightclub in Washington.
- **2012** — Opened Heist, later part of the VERSUS hospitality portfolio.
- **2014** — Opened the original Sheppard with chef Spike Mendelsohn.
- **2018** — Morris American Bar opened; Heist received the Nightclub & Bar Awards Lounge of the Year recognition.
- **2020** — Appointed first chair of Washington’s Commission on Nightlife and Culture.
- **2021** — Acquired Kanye West’s teenage artwork; operated a Heist rooftop series at the Kennedy Center; opened Ciel Social Club.
- **2025** — Reported reappointment as chair of the Commission on Nightlife and Culture in June.
- **2026** — Listed among 202CreatesCon participants and appeared on In the Weeds with Spike Mendelsohn in September.

## Achievements

- First chair of Washington’s Commission on Nightlife and Culture, appointed in 2020.
- Recognized as a Top Lobbyist of 2020 by the National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics.
- Recognized in Washington Business Journal’s 40 Under 40.
- Executive producer of Sprinter alongside Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith.
- Georgetown student graduation speaker and recipient of the Dean’s Citation for Outstanding Contribution to the Campus.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Named among participants in the mayor’s announcement for the September 28 202CreatesCon at the National Geographic Museum of Exploration.
- **2026-09** — September 29 episode of In the Weeds with Spike Mendelsohn featured his music, hospitality, and lobbying career.
- **2025-08** — The Pennsylvania Gazette profiled his work and reported his June 2025 reappointment to the nightlife commission chair.

## Links

- Website: https://versusequity.com/vinoda-basnayake/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinoda-basnayake-5670238/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinodab/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/vinoda-basnayake
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-10