Biography of Jiffry Zulfer: Founder & CEO of PickMe- Entrepreneur & Angel Investor
Biography of Jiffry Zulfer:
Early Life and Career Foundations
Jiffry Zulfer's journey into the tech world began with a
deep-rooted curiosity about how things work, nurtured during his upbringing in
Sri Lanka. This fascination led him to pursue a career in technology and
management. He earned an MBA from Western Sydney University in 2006 and further
honed his strategic skills through an executive program at the Indian School of
Business in 2007. Additionally, he studied management and finance with the
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) between 2012 and 2014,
solidifying his foundation in financial management practices.
Professional Trajectory
Before founding PickMe, Zulfer served as the Chief
Technology Officer (CTO) at Digital Commerce Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd., overseeing
e-commerce platforms like wow.lk and Anything.lk. His tenure from December 2012
to September 2014 was marked by significant technological advancements and
infrastructure development. Earlier, he was a Partner at DB Consulting from
2006 to 2009, where he played diverse roles from programming to project
management. He also held a significant position at Microsoft as a Business Development
Manager, focusing on expanding Microsoft's business footprint in the region.
Biography of Jiffry Zulfer: Founder & CEO of PickMe- Entrepreneur, Investor/Digital Commerce/ Sri lanka/startup/E-commerce/age#net worth#entrepreneur
Founding PickMe: A Vision Realized
In June 2014, Zulfer resigned from his role at wow.lk to
embark on his next entrepreneurial venture. By September 2015, he had developed
a prototype for what would become PickMe, Sri Lanka's leading digital mobility
platform. He successfully attracted early investment from notable entities,
including Ajit Gunewardene, Ruchi Gunewardene, Interblocks Limited, and LOLC
Technology Services Limited. This led to the formation of Digital Mobility
Solutions Lanka Ltd., the company behind PickMe.
Technological Infrastructure and Growth
PickMe's backend services utilize a microservices
architecture, with over 100 microservices. The platform employs Google Cloud
Platform and Microsoft Azure, deployed using Docker and Kubernetes, and uses
Apache Kafka as a messaging service. Its data science platform incorporates
Apache Hadoop, Apache Spark, and Apache Hive, with microservices written in Go.
Expansion and Milestones
Under Zulfer's leadership, PickMe has expanded its services
beyond ride-hailing to include food delivery and logistics. In 2023, the
company completed over 100 million ride requests and launched its first
international market in Nepal. PickMe's IPO in September 2024 was
oversubscribed on its opening day, reflecting the company's strong market
presence.
Awards and Recognition
Zulfer's contributions to the tech industry have been
recognized with several accolades, including the ICTA Young IT Professional
Award in May 2006 and the FCCISL Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in April
2004. These honors underscore his impact on Sri Lanka's digital landscape.
Commitment to Innovation and Local Impact
Zulfer's approach to entrepreneurship is characterized by a
focus on innovation and understanding local needs. He has been instrumental in
shaping PickMe's journey, emphasizing the importance of building solutions that
resonate with the local context.
Conclusion
Jiffry Zulfer's journey from a curious child to a leading tech entrepreneur in Sri Lanka is a testament to his vision, resilience, and commitment to innovation. Through PickMe, he has not only transformed the transportation sector but also contributed significantly to the digital economy, inspiring future generations of entrepreneurs.
