From Small Contributions to Big Change: Why Sri Lanka Needs a New Kind of Crowdfunding Platform

Sri Lanka has never lacked generosity.

From temple fundraisers to school development projects, from disaster relief to community-driven initiatives, Sri Lankans have always stepped forward to help each other. What we have lacked is a trusted, modern, and transparent crowdfunding platform that can channel this collective power into sustainable impact—especially for startups and entrepreneurs.

At Syeta Labs, we are building exactly that.

The Inspiration: Arunella and the Power of Small Contributions

This idea is deeply personal.

During my university days at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, while living in hostels, we organized a charity initiative called “Arunella.” We collected small donations from the general public—on buses, on streets, from everyday people. No one gave much individually. But together, those small contributions built something incredible: a building for a school that desperately needed it.

That experience taught me a simple but powerful truth:

When many people contribute a little, something big becomes possible.

Sri Lanka’s community spirit is strong. What’s missing is a system that people can trust and scale.

The Problem: Funding Is Broken for Startups in Sri Lanka

If you are a startup founder or entrepreneur in Sri Lanka, you already know this reality:

• Bank loans are slow, complex, and often inaccessible without collateral
• VC funding is limited, highly selective, and often disconnected from early-stage realities
• Angel investors are few, and access is mostly based on networks

For many founders, even validating an idea or building an MVP becomes an uphill battle.

We believe there is a better way—before founders are forced into debt or power imbalances.

Our Vision: A Trusted Crowdfunding Platform for Sri Lanka

Syeta Labs is building a Sri Lanka–focused crowdfunding platform, designed for both founders and everyday investors.

We support four crowdfunding models:

1. Charity-Based – For social causes and community impact
2. Reward-Based – Back a project and receive early access or rewards
3. Equity-Based – Invest in startups and own a stake
4. Debt-Based – Structured, transparent returns over time

For the initial phase, our focus is clear:

Empowering startup founders and entrepreneurs to launch campaigns and raise early capital.

Trust & Transparency: The Core of Our Platform

One of the biggest challenges in crowdfunding is trust. Fraud, misuse of funds, and lack of accountability have damaged confidence worldwide.

We are addressing this head-on.

Syeta Labs is being registered as a Workers’ Cooperative under the Sri Lankan Cooperative Department. This makes us fundamentally different from a typical private startup.

• Cooperative structure
• Collective ownership
• Transparent governance
• Community accountability

This structure positions us as a semi-public, highly accountable organization, reducing trust barriers for both investors and campaign creators.

Why This Matters Now

Sri Lanka is at a turning point.

We need:

• More local startups
• More grassroots innovation
• More community-backed businesses
• More ways for everyday people to invest in progress

Crowdfunding allows ordinary people to participate in building the future—whether by supporting a social cause, backing a promising startup, or investing in long-term growth.

Join the Journey

This platform is more than software.
It’s a movement.

• If you’re a founder, create a campaign and validate your idea
• If you’re an investor, support someone trying to create real change
• If you believe in community-driven growth, be part of this journey

And if you believe in what we are building,
invest in us.

Together, let’s prove once again that small contributions can create big change.