In a rapidly evolving digital economy, companies across Europe are rethinking how they build and scale technology products. Rising development costs, talent shortages, and increasing demand for speed have pushed many startups and scaleups to explore new operating models that extend beyond traditional in-house teams.
One company operating at the centre of this shift is Acendae, a Netherlands-based digital agency that is building a cross-border model connecting European startups with Sri Lankan digital talent.
Founded in 2017, Acendae works primarily with startups and scaleups in the Netherlands and Belgium, helping them design, develop, and scale digital products through a structured delivery model that combines local client management with international engineering capabilities.
Today, the company operates through four specialist business units: Experience, Development, Engineering, and Outsourcing. Each unit focuses on a specific part of the digital product lifecycle, from UX/UI design and software development to technical engineering and dedicated team extension.
According to Acendae Founder and CEO Pramuka Godakanda, the company was built around the idea of removing traditional barriers between businesses and high-quality digital execution.
Startups today don’t just need developers or designers,” he said. “They need partners who understand product thinking, can scale with them, and integrate seamlessly into their teams. That is the model we have built at Acendae.”
While client relationships and project coordination are managed from the Netherlands, much of Acendae’s delivery capability is based in Sri Lanka, where a team of around 14 designers, developers, and engineers contributes to international projects.
This structure reflects a broader trend in the global tech industry: the rise of distributed product teams. Instead of relying solely on local hiring markets, companies are increasingly building hybrid teams that combine onshore strategy with offshore execution.
For Acendae, this approach has also created a bridge between European startups and Sri Lanka’s growing pool of technology talent. Sri Lankan professionals working with the company are involved in building and maintaining digital products used by international businesses, highlighting the country’s expanding role in the global digital economy.
Beyond development and engineering, Acendae’s Outsourcing unit allows clients to embed dedicated professionals directly into their teams, enabling them to scale capacity without the complexity of traditional recruitment cycles.
The company says this model has become increasingly relevant as startups focus on efficiency and flexibility rather than expanding large internal teams.
To support its continued growth, Acendae recently introduced a refreshed brand identity and upgraded its digital presence, aligning its positioning with its long-term ambition to become a leading European digital partner for startups and scaleups.
Looking ahead, Acendae plans to expand its presence in the Dutch and Belgian markets while continuing to invest in its people, strengthen its service units, and grow its cross-border delivery model connecting Europe with Sri Lanka.
The company is also expanding its talent base in Sri Lanka, with opportunities available for designers, developers, and engineers working on international projects.
About Acendae
Acendae is a Netherlands-based digital agency serving startups and scaleups across the Netherlands and Belgium. Through its four business units: Experience, Development, Engineering, and Outsourcing, the company delivers UX/UI design, software development, technical engineering, and dedicated team solutions through a hybrid model combining European client management with Sri Lankan digital talent.
For more information, visit Acendae's official website:
Explore current career opportunities:
https://acendae.com/careers
