PickMe marks 10 years with AI push and rural expansion plan

Winners of Rs. 100, 000 cash prizes – Independent drivers 

• 10th anniversary celebrations see a series of giveaways worth Rs. 10 m 

PickMe, Sri Lanka’s first digital mobility platform, marks its 10th year with a plan to focus on artificial intelligence to improve customer service, route optimisation and data analytics, and build research partnerships with local universities to develop homegrown talent. The company aims to create inclusive digital ecosystems that reach beyond cities into rural Sri Lanka.

PickMe marked the culmination of its 10th anniversary celebrations recently with the grand finale of a nationwide raffle draw. A loyal PickMe user walked away with a Rs. 1 million cash prize, the centrepiece of a series of giveaways amounting to Rs. 10 million. 

The celebration not only recognised a decade of impact in transforming mobility and logistics across the island but also looked firmly to the future, under the theme, “We’re building for the next 100 years.”

From humble beginnings as a tech startup in 2015, PickMe has become a household name and one of Sri Lanka’s Top 30 most valuable brands. The digital mobility platform has grown beyond ride-hailing to facilitate island-wide services in food and grocery delivery, logistics and is now eyeing new verticals.

Speaking at the celebration, PickMe Founder and CEO Jiffry Zulfer reflected on the journey. “This is more than a business milestone; it’s a collective achievement. We didn’t reach this point alone. Every ride, every delivery, every independent driver, independent merchant, investor, employee, and user has contributed to this moment. That’s why we made our 10-year celebration about giving back to the people who made it possible.”

The anniversary campaign was designed around rewarding loyalty and inclusivity. In addition to the grand prize, PickMe rewarded 108 winners selected through weekly draws with iphones, Samsung mobile phones, Apple watches, cinema vouchers, PickMe vouchers and mobile data bundles, throughout the promotional period. 

The competition rewarded 40 independent drivers, who achieved their daily and weekly criteria of providing reliable services to passengers on the platform, with Rs. 100,000 each.

PickMe also recognised long-standing top-performing drivers on their platform from across the island, and users who had been part of their journey from inception, with appreciation awards. 

Looking ahead, PickMe is doubling down on technology and innovation. The company is investing heavily in artificial intelligence to enhance customer service, route optimisation, and data analytics. It is also forging research collaborations with local universities to nurture homegrown talent. The CEO emphasised that PickMe’s future lies in creating inclusive digital ecosystems that extend benefits beyond urban centres and into rural Sri Lanka.

“We are not just a transport app, we are a digital solutions company,” he explains. “Our platform connects people, businesses, and services. With continued innovation and the right policy support, we are confident PickMe can serve Sri Lanka for the next 100 years.”

However, he also used the occasion to urge policymakers to accelerate reforms that support the country’s digital economy. While commending recent moves such as VAT parity between local and foreign players, he highlighted the urgent need for broader regulatory equity, stronger data protection laws, and clearer digital consumer rights. “If we want to unlock the full potential of Sri Lanka’s digital future, we need smarter, more inclusive digital policy,” Zulfer said.

PickMe’s anniversary celebrations serve not only as a reflection of past achievements but as a launchpad for the platform’s next phase, one defined by innovation, inclusivity, and long-term national value creation.