Post by The Day News Global

Startup Series - 01 How PickMe Digitized Sri Lankan Transport And Defeated Global Tech Giants Launched in 2015 by Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka, founded by Jiffry Zulfer, PickMe has grown to become the undisputed heavyweight of Sri Lanka's startup ecosystem. It successfully digitized the island’s highly fragmented transport sector, completely transforming how millions of citizens commute, eat, and move goods daily. Before PickMe, hailed transportation, particularly the iconic three wheeler or "tuk tuk" lacked price standardization, transparent routing, and safety regulations. Passengers frequently negotiated arbitrary fares, while drivers struggled to find consistent passengers. By introducing a localized, GPS driven mobile application, PickMe brought structural order to the roads. Passengers gained the ability to hail metered tuks, cars, and bikes with real time tracking, while drivers secured a steady, predictable stream of income that elevated their livelihood. What truly sets PickMe apart is its resilience and localized agility. While global ridesharing giants entered the Sri Lankan market with massive capital backups, PickMe leveraged its deep understanding of local geography and consumer behavior to maintain a dominant market share. The platform rapidly diversified beyond ride hailing into PickMe Food (on demand meal delivery) and PickMe Flash (an instant courier and logistics service), building an indispensable multi service ecosystem. During acute macroeconomic challenges and fuel shortages, PickMe pivoted into an essential supply chain lifeline. It ensured the delivery of cooking gas, groceries, and medical supplies directly to doorsteps when traditional logistics failed. Today, with thousands of registered drivers and millions of completed rides, it stands as a shining blueprint for domestic technological innovation. PickMe proved that a homegrown startup can out-engineer global competitors simply by staying close to its roots and solving deeply embedded, real-world local problems. GovTech Sri Lanka Information Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka Ministry of Digital Economy - Sri Lanka #thedaynewsglobal #PickMe #tdng #JffryZulfer #mobility #SmartCommute #Startup #SriLanka