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
Collectiv is a Chicago-based data and AI consultancy that Darren Goonawardana co-founded in 2019, and one of the foremost boutique firms in the space. A Microsoft and Databricks partner, it helps organisations build modern data architectures, analytics, and connected planning across Power BI, Microsoft Fabric, Azure, and Databricks, and turn AI pilots into production systems. Collectiv is a four-time Inc. 5000 honouree.
Darren Goonawardana is the co-founder and CEO of Collectiv.
Earlier ventures
HotFit.tv
Co-founder2010 to 2012 · United States
Fitness technology venture.
Learn moreFizzyLime
Co-founder2008 to 2010 · United States
Consulting for airport, transport and transit industries.
Learn moreSystems Union Americas
Founder2006 · United States
Business intelligence division for the Americas.
Learn moreMIS Asia Pacific
Co-founder2001 to 2004 · Australia
First Asia-Pacific presence for MIS, based in Sydney.
Learn moreMIS UK
Co-founder1999 to 2001 · United Kingdom
Founding member of MIS in the UK.
Learn moreA 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.