Companies founded by Darren Goonawardana
Darren Goonawardana has spent more than 30 years founding and building technology companies across four continents. The through-line is consistent: take data and emerging technology and turn it into businesses that help organisations decide and operate better. He helped establish MIS in the UK and across Asia-Pacific, founded the Systems Union business intelligence division for the Americas, and today leads Collectiv, a Microsoft data and AI consultancy.
Collectiv
Co-founder & CEO Founded 2019Collectiv is a Chicago-based Microsoft data and AI consulting firm that Darren Goonawardana co-founded in 2019. It helps organisations build modern data architectures, analytics, and connected planning across the Microsoft data platform, including Power BI, Microsoft Fabric, Azure, and Databricks, and turn AI pilots into production systems. Collectiv is a Microsoft Solutions Partner and a 2025 Inc. 5000 honouree.
Darren Goonawardana is the co-founder and CEO of Collectiv.
HotFit.tv
Co-founder Earlier venture 2010 to 2012HotFit.tv was a fitness technology venture that Darren Goonawardana co-founded, built around the idea of strength in body and mind. It was an early move into consumer technology between his enterprise software roles.
Darren Goonawardana co-founded HotFit.tv.
FizzyLime
Co-founder Earlier venture 2008 to 2010FizzyLime was a business consulting and solutions firm for the airport, transport, and mass-transit industries, co-founded by Darren Goonawardana in the Greater Chicago area. It helped management make informed decisions across strategy, operations, and technology.
Darren Goonawardana co-founded FizzyLime.
Systems Union Americas
Founder Earlier venture 2006Darren Goonawardana founded the business intelligence division of Systems Union for the Americas, leading sales, marketing, and consulting teams across North and South America. He was part of the executive team that managed the sale of the organisation to Infor Global Solutions.
Darren Goonawardana founded Systems Union Americas.
MIS Asia Pacific
Co-founder Earlier venture 2001 to 2004Darren Goonawardana co-founded MIS Asia Pacific in Sydney, establishing the company’s first presence in the Asia-Pacific region. He led sales, marketing, and strategy as the business grew across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Malaysia.
Darren Goonawardana co-founded MIS Asia Pacific.
MIS UK
Co-founder Earlier venture 1999 to 2001Darren Goonawardana was a founding member of MIS UK, responsible for developing and executing direct sales in the United Kingdom. He won the company’s first clients in the region, including Honda Motor Europe, Pirelli Tyres, and HSBC.
Darren Goonawardana co-founded MIS UK.
A builder across industries
Darren Goonawardana's track record spans business intelligence, enterprise software, and AI, built across the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States. From establishing new market divisions for global software companies to co-founding his own ventures, he has a consistent pattern of turning data and technology into businesses that scale.
| Company | Role | Period | Country | Industry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collectiv | Co-founder & CEO | 2019 to present | United States | Microsoft Data & AI Consulting |
| HotFit.tv | Co-founder | 2010 to 2012 | United States | Fitness & Media |
| FizzyLime | Co-founder | 2008 to 2010 | United States | Management Consulting |
| Systems Union Americas | Founder | 2006 to 2006 | United States | Business Intelligence Software |
| MIS Asia Pacific | Co-founder | 2001 to 2004 | Australia | Business Intelligence Software |
| MIS UK | Co-founder | 1999 to 2001 | United Kingdom | Business Intelligence Software |
Darren Goonawardana has been the co-founder of Collectiv since 2019.
Darren Goonawardana co-founded HotFit.tv, which operated from 2010 to 2012.
Darren Goonawardana co-founded FizzyLime, which operated from 2008 to 2010.
Darren Goonawardana founded Systems Union Americas, which operated from 2006 to 2006.
Darren Goonawardana co-founded MIS Asia Pacific, which operated from 2001 to 2004.
Darren Goonawardana co-founded MIS UK, which operated from 1999 to 2001.
Across more than 30 years and four continents, Darren Goonawardana has consistently built businesses at the edge of data and emerging technology. His current focus, Collectiv, applies that operator experience to help organisations get real value from the Microsoft data platform and AI.