Spike Community has partnered with Roar Global as its Venture Builder Partner, strengthening its monthly event platform for startups, founders, investors and entrepreneurship enthusiasts in Sri Lanka.

Active since 2014, Spike Community has built an informal but consistent space for founders, investors, technologists and ecosystem stakeholders to connect, exchange ideas and learn from one another’s experiences. Over the years, the community has contributed to Sri Lanka’s startup ecosystem by creating room for candid founder conversations, peer learning and practical insight-sharing outside traditional conference formats.

The partnership with Roar Global brings an operator and venture-building perspective into the Spike Community. As an APAC-based venture builder operating across marketing, platforms and AI, Roar Global will support Spike’s founder-focused programming by contributing practical insights on platform-led growth, AI adoption, market access and scaling beyond Sri Lanka.

Commenting on the partnership, Gayantha De Zoysa, Community Lead of Spike, said, “Spike has always been about bringing people in the startup ecosystem together in a setting that encourages open conversation, networking and shared learning. Having Roar Global come on board as Venture Builder Partner adds a strong operator perspective to the community, especially for founders looking at growth, market access and scale.”

Mustafa Kassim, Founder and CEO of Roar Global, added, “Roar Global’s evolution into a venture builder has been shaped by first-hand operating experience across markets, platforms and business models. That gives us a practical view of growth – not only how businesses find customers, but how they build the systems, talent and market readiness needed to scale. Our partnership with Spike gives us a meaningful way to engage with founders who are building with ambition, and to contribute perspectives that are grounded in real operating experience.”

The first joint event under the partnership was held on 28 April 2026 at Barefoot Gallery Café, under the theme “Breaking Through Barriers to Enter International Markets.” The session featured insights from Nithushan Uthayakumar of Blue Lotus 360, who shared his experience of entering the UK market from Colombo, and Mario Gooneratne of LinearSix, who brought perspective from over a decade of closing fintech deals within regulated banking environments.

The event brought together founders, operators and ecosystem stakeholders for a focused discussion on international growth, market access and scaling from Sri Lanka.

Spike Community

Spike Community is a monthly networking meetup for Sri Lankan startups, founders, investors, technologists and entrepreneurship enthusiasts. Founded in 2014, Spike has grown into a community-led platform for startup stories, founder learning and in-person ecosystem connection.

Roar Global

Roar Global is an APAC-based venture builder that builds, acquires and scales specialised companies across marketing, platforms and AI. The group operates through a portfolio of ventures focused on platform marketing, content and creator economy solutions, AI-enabled growth tools and professional employment services.

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Chocoholics, Sri Lanka’s premium dessert café brand renowned for its Belgian chocolate creations, today announced its first international expansion with plans to open outlets in Saudi Arabia, marking the beginning of a broader global journey.

The announcement follows the visit of Prince Waleed bin Nasser Al Saud, Founder and Chairman of Bayt Altawabel and Mr. Rizni Faizer, CEO of New Concepts at Bayt Altawabel to Chocoholics’ Colombo outlets. His recognition of the brand underscores the growing interest in lifestyle and hospitality ventures that align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

“Experiencing Chocoholics in Colombo gave me a strong sense of the brand’s potential to succeed in Saudi Arabia, where café culture continues to evolve in exciting ways,” said Prince Waleed bin Nasser Al Saud. “Their dedication to quality and innovation reflects the type of international partnerships that complement Vision 2030. This collaboration is about more than business, it is about introducing new experiences that enrich lifestyle, hospitality, and cultural exchange in the Kingdom and beyond.”

“Our journey has always been about passion, innovation, and delivering unforgettable experiences,” said Wazni Wazeer, Co-Founder and Director of Chocoholics. “Launching in Saudi Arabia is just the start. This partnership represents the foundation of Chocoholics’ global expansion, taking our culture of chocolate-inspired experiences to audiences worldwide.”

“Welcoming Prince Waleed was a meaningful milestone for us and a sign that Sri Lankan entrepreneurship can be recognised on a global scale,” added Fayaz Nizam, Co-Founder and Director of Chocoholics. “His support underscores our readiness to contribute to Saudi Arabia’s vibrant café culture while preparing to extend Chocoholics’ footprint across the Middle East and further afield.”

Since opening in Colombo seven years ago, Chocoholics has grown to four outlets across the city, becoming a beloved destination for café-goers who value the blend of authentic Belgian chocolate with innovative creations. With its expansion into Saudi Arabia, Chocoholics is setting the stage for a new wave of Sri Lankan born brands making their mark on the world.

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