Meet Bhanuka Harischandra, Founder and CEO of Surge Global, a Sri Lankan digital consulting and technology company helping businesses grow through marketing, data, and technology.
Bhanuka’s entrepreneurial journey began at just 19, when he launched a YouTube multi-channel network that helped more than 600 content creators generate and monetize over half a billion eSports video views. That early experience in digital media and audience growth eventually led to the creation of Surge Global in 2015.
What started as a digital marketing and consulting business evolved into a broader technology-focused company working with businesses across international markets. In 2018, Surge Global secured a $500,000 investment led by Tavistock Group, supporting its expansion and work across the group’s portfolio.
Beyond Surge Global, Bhanuka has become a serial entrepreneur and investor with involvement across technology, marketing, financial services, agriculture, and other ventures. His own profile states that he has built teams of more than 800 people across eight profitable organizations, with those businesses collectively reaching more than $100 million in valuation across Sri Lanka, Singapore, and the United States.
His involvement in Sri Lanka’s startup ecosystem extends beyond building companies. Bhanuka has backed and supported emerging businesses, with his entrepreneurial journey connected to ventures such as Rooster and other growing technology companies. Rooster, for example, raised $610,000 in its 2021 seed round from a group of angel investors across Sri Lanka, Australia, and Germany.
His contribution to the technology ecosystem has also received international recognition. He was named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia list in 2021 and was recognised by Rest of World among its RoW100 Global Tech Changemakers in 2022.
Today, Bhanuka’s journey represents more than the growth of a single company. It reflects the evolution of a Sri Lankan entrepreneur who has built businesses, invested in emerging ventures, and contributed to creating stronger connections between Sri Lankan talent, technology, capital, and global markets.
From starting with digital content at 19 to building and backing multiple businesses, Bhanuka Harischandra continues to play a significant role in shaping Sri Lanka’s modern startup and technology ecosystem.
