Empowering
Innovation
Anywhere.
Our mission is to help ambitious tech ventures accelerate growth with dedicated teams, so they can focus on innovation while we handle recruitment and team management.
Our Accolades
Our Story
Gapstars was founded with a vision to bridge the global tech talent gap by building dedicated, high-performing teams for innovative scale-ups and established companies. The inspiration for Gapstars took root in Sri Lanka, a country known for its tenacity and incredible software talent. It all started in 2010 with a desire to uplift and empower, leading to the establishment of a software development venture that set the foundation for something bigger.
The early venture, WebGurus, showcased the potential of Sri Lankan tech talent on the global stage, serving renowned clients like Randstad and BMW with a handful of expert developers. It was a promising start, but the dream evolved. In 2015, Gapstars emerged as a reimagined entity
with a clear mission: to help Dutch tech companies scale globally through dedicated, long-term tech teams based in Sri Lanka.
The company’s growth was exponential, expanding from a small, agile team to a powerhouse of 250+ experts across tech hubs in Amsterdam, Lisbon, Dubai, and Colombo. Today, Gapstars partners with over 50 companies worldwide, driving success for clients in the Benelux Region, Austria, the UK, the UAE and the US. Our teams are built to scale, bringing deep expertise across various technology domains and actively supporting businesses in their journey from startup to scale-up.
We are Gapstars, empowering innovation, everywhere.
Leadership Team
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Hugo
Hemmen
CEO
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David
Bijker
COO
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Matthijs
Wolf
Sales Director
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Edo van
der Bas
Director of Accounts
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Stasz
Zernicke
Country Director - SL
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Meditha
Karunatillaka
Head of Operations
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Liliana
Pereira
HR & Office Manager - Portugal
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Peumalee
Chandrasiri
Head of Delivery
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Phillipa
Lawless
Head of Academy
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Pasan
Katipearachchi
Group Finance Controller
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Gihan
de Silva
Head of Engineering
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Uthum
Milinda
Head of Talent
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Pujana
Wethasinghe
Head of Marketing
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Leticia
De Costa
Head of Regional Sales (MENA)
Our Values
Growth
Our employees’ personal growth matters as much as their career. We encourage big dreams and provide the resources and support needed to achieve them.
By fostering a culture of continuous learning, mentorship, and skill development, we ensure that every individual has the opportunity to thrive and grow alongside us, both personally and professionally.
Impact
Beyond making an impact in tech, we're deeply committed to creating positive change through social responsibility initiatives and uplifting underprivileged communities.
By empowering lives, supporting education, and promoting sustainability, we strive to leave a lasting legacy that goes far beyond the workplace.
Community
At Gapstars, our employees are part of a supportive, inclusive community where their contributions truly matter. It's not just a workplace but a network of experts who inspire and uplift one another.
By celebrating diversity, and encouraging shared growth, we create an environment where everyone is valued and empowered to succeed together.
Giving Back
There are countless lives that yearn for empathy, love and kindness, and we believe that if we are in a position to help, then we have a duty to do so.
Our Hubs
Scaling with expertise across
the globe
Scaling with expertise across the globe
Dubai
With initiatives like Dubai Internet City, Dubai draws ambitious tech startups ready to expand across the Gulf. Supported by government incentives and 100% foreign ownership authorization, Dubai is quickly becoming a top ecosystem for blockchain, crypto, and AI ventures, offering an ideal environment for innovative growth.
Lisbon
Silicon Valley of the old continent," Lisbon is a top destination for tech innovation. Being just an hour behind the Netherlands, Lisbon offers nearshoring solutions and relocation options for existing partners, making it ideal for clients seeking seamless collaboration and vibrant, tech-forward talent.
Colombo
Colombo, with its vibrant culture and tropical setting, is our mission control for dedicated partner teams and key functional teams. Sri Lanka’s Western-aligned culture, high education standards, strong English proficiency, and emphasis on integrity create a close cultural fit with our partners, making it an ideal hub for collaboration.
Amsterdam
Our main commercial seat is located in Amsterdam, the home of our company’s founders, some of our most trusted, long-standing clients and the birthplace of the Gapstars dream. The Dutch capital is known for bearing technological revolutions that changed the world, much like the innovation we aim to empower internationally.
Brand Kit
The Gapstars essence, broken down into easy-to-use elements. Find everything that you’ll need for your co-branding, here.
