Colombo Innovation Tower

What Colombo Innovation Tower does

Colombo Innovation Tower (CIT) is a 20-floor innovation hub located at 477 R A De Mel Mawatha, Colombo 4, Sri Lanka, operating as a coworking and design services platform under parent Design Corp Group. Founded in 2019 by award-winning entrepreneur Linda Speldewinde and powered by AOD (Sri Lanka's leading design educator), CIT offers tiered membership packages — Resident, Roaming, Networked, and Student — providing access to physical workspace, a curated network of designers and innovators, training programs, and events. The platform is positioned as the innovation epicenter for South Asia, combining physical infrastructure (quiet zones, making spaces, fast WiFi) with a multi-disciplinary community spanning startups, enterprises, educators, and global banks such as HNB.

CIT's product surface extends beyond coworking through CIT Labs, a wholly-owned multi-disciplinary design and innovation studio offering brand development, product design, content creation, campaigns, and specialist training in Design Thinking (partnered with Silicon Valley's Pauline Strijland), Circular Design (partnered with Dutch firm Circo), and Futures Insights (partnered with The Future Laboratory). Revenue is generated through four streams: recurring membership subscriptions, professional design services via CIT Labs, training and seminar fees, and event space rentals. Distribution is direct, relying on in-person facility tours, personalized consultation, and event-driven lead generation, with social media and PR as supporting channels.

The company's strategic positioning leverages 15+ years of pre-existing network relationships and exclusive partnerships with international design and sustainability experts. Key customers include MAS Holdings (fashion design collaboration producing the "Revamp" brand), Hansa Ceylon Coffee (brand and packaging design refresh), and network members HNB, SLINTEC, Fashion for Good, and SLASSCO. The business model targets companies, startups, individual professionals, and students seeking access to global innovation infrastructure, with the membership and CIT Labs services functioning as complementary recurring and project-based revenue engines.

Name

Colombo Innovation Tower

Legal name

Colombo Innovation Tower

Website

https://www.cit.lk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Colombo Innovation Tower (CIT) is a 20-floor innovation hub in Colombo, Sri Lanka, offering tiered coworking memberships, event space, and CIT Labs design services for startups, enterprises, freelancers, and students across South Asia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Innovation Hub & Coworking Services

NAICS

Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)

SIC

Services-Equipment Rental & Leasing, Nec (7359)

akta.pro primary industry

Makerspace, Innovation Lab & Fab Lab Operations (Tools, Safety, Programming) (EDAEAGAI)

Keywords

• Innovation coworking space
• Design services studio
• Membership coworking hub
• Design thinking training
• Circular design consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Colombo

HQ country

Sri Lanka

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: CIT generates primary revenue through tiered membership packages: Resident (dedicated physical space), Roaming (drop-in access), Networked (network access without physical space), and Student (discounted for students). All members receive access to the building, network, training, and events.
2. Design Services (CIT Labs): Professional design and innovation services including brand development, product design, content creation, campaigns, and communication strategy. Services span fashion design, interior design, visual communication, and motion graphics for enterprise clients.
3. Training and Seminars: Specialist training and seminars for organizations including Design Thinking, Circular Design and Business Modeling, and Futures Insights. Knowledge democratization to help organizations thrive.
4. Event Space Rental: Private office spaces, meeting rooms, and event venues available for booking with priority given to members at preferential rates.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Colombo Innovation Tower (CIT) operates a 20-floor innovation center in Colombo, Sri Lanka providing coworking spaces, event venues, and a global innovation network. It sells tiered memberships (Resident, Roaming, Networked, Student) granting access to workspace, networking, training, and events. CIT Labs, its design subsidiary, offers multi-disciplinary design and innovation services including brand development, product design, content creation, and specialist training in Design Thinking, Circular Design, and Futures Insights.

Product overview

Colombo Innovation Tower (CIT) is a 20-floor innovation center and coworking ecosystem based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, functioning as a platform for design, technology, and business collaboration. The core offering includes physical coworking spaces and memberships (Resident, Roaming, Networked, and Student tiers) providing access to workspace, networking, and events. CIT Labs serves as the design and innovation services arm, offering multi-disciplinary design services including brand development, product design, content creation, and campaigns. The ecosystem also includes specialist training programs in Design Thinking, Circular Design, and Futures Insights. The platform is powered by AOD (Academy of Design) and part of the Design Corp Group.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CIT Labs: Multi-disciplinary design and innovation studio specializing in visual communications, motion graphics, fashion design and marketing, and interior design.

Products and services

• Colombo Innovation Tower (CIT) Coworking Hub A 20-floor innovation center in Colombo, Sri Lanka providing coworking spaces, networking areas, making spaces, event venues, and access to a global innovation network for startups, enterprises, and creatives.
• CIT Labs Design Services A multi-disciplinary design and innovation studio offering brand development, product design, content creation, campaigns, visual communications, motion graphics, fashion design, and interior design services for enterprise clients.
• Resident Membership Top-tier monthly subscription providing dedicated physical workspace with fast WiFi, business services (postal address, legal & financial support, lockers, copying & printing), access to specialist design services, guest access, meeting room priority booking, global network access, partner service discounts, and exclusive member-only event access.
• Roaming Membership Pay-as-you-go drop-in membership for individuals and freelancers wanting flexible access to CIT workspace, network, and events without dedicated space.
• Networked Membership Monthly subscription for individuals who want access to the CIT network and events without requiring physical workspace.
• Student Membership Discounted monthly membership option for students, with priority access for AOD (Academy of Design) students.
• Design Thinking Training Specialist training seminar on Design Thinking methodologies placing people's real needs at the centre of product development, offered by CIT Labs for organizations.
• Circular Design and Business Modeling Training Specialist training on circular design processes and sustainable business modeling practices, delivered in partnership with Dutch design firm Circo for organizations.
• Futures Insights Training Specialist training program providing strategic futures intelligence and insights to help organizations anticipate and prepare for future market conditions.
• Private Office & Event Space Rental Private office spaces, meeting rooms, and event venues available for booking, with priority access and preferential rates for members.

Quantifiable outcome

• Tea company client received 10 fresh and unique Point Of Sale Marketing Material options, successfully addressing marketing objectives with scalability from 2,500 to 50,000 locations.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• AOD (Academy of Design)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAOD is Sri Lanka's groundbreaking design educator powering CIT. Provides constant access to new generation of creative designers and disruptors. AOD students receive priority for CIT student memberships. The talent pool ranges from undergraduate changemakers with fresh perspectives to seasoned industry professionals.
• Design Corp GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIT is part of Design Corp Group of companies which launches ventures to bridge creative innovation and business. Founded by award-winning female entrepreneur Linda Speldewinde. Design Corp is the parent company operating ventures across design and innovation.
• Pauline StrijlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilicon Valley design innovator and one of CIT's main partners for Design Thinking methodology. Design Thinking is a proven process putting people's real needs at the centre of product development with innovation outcomes that are people and market-driven rather than technology-led.
• CircocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch circular design partner for CIT's Circular Design process. Together they crack open serious problems to find new sustainable solutions. Product development is radically rethought to provide solutions specific to the South Asian region.
• The Future LaboratoryflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the world's most renowned and respected futures consultancies. A leader in strategic futures intelligence providing insights that enable clients to make decisions and investments to survive and thrive in the future. CIT Labs collaboration partner bringing global experience and knowledge.
• Hussle HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal sales, marketing and communications consultancy with international network of highly skilled professionals. Brings expertise honed over many years working for multinational corporations, startups, and social enterprises worldwide. CIT Labs collaboration partner for communications expertise.
• Fashion for GoodminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal initiative making fashion more sustainable. Member of CIT network hosting events such as Fashion for Good Innovation Day. Represents fashion industry sustainability collaboration within CIT ecosystem.
• SLINTEC (Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology is a member of CIT network. Contributes research and technology expertise to the innovation ecosystem.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• WeWork: Global coworking giant offering flexible office space and member community services. Directly comparable business model (tiered memberships, physical workspace, networking events) but at vastly larger scale and broader geographic footprint than CIT.

Direct peers

• Industrious: Premium flexible workspace provider with tiered membership options and enterprise focus. Compares to CIT's Resident membership model and enterprise customer segment (HNB, MAS Holdings).
• IDEO: Global design and innovation consultancy pioneering Design Thinking methodology. Directly comparable to CIT Labs' design services and partnership-style engagement model with enterprise clients.
• The Future Laboratory: Strategic futures consultancy providing insights to help brands anticipate market change. Directly comparable to CIT Labs' Futures Insights training offering and a current CIT partner.
• Galvanize: Tech-focused coworking and education ecosystem combining workspace, learning, and community. Comparable to CIT's blend of coworking, AOD-powered education, and community events.
• Pentagram: Multi-disciplinary design consultancy with partner-led studios across brand, interior, and digital design. Comparable to CIT Labs' multi-disciplinary service offering spanning visual communications, fashion, and interior design.

Regional players

• Mindspace: Coworking and flexible office operator with strong presence in Israel and Europe, serving enterprise clients. Comparable to CIT's enterprise-focused membership tier and design-forward workspace positioning.
• Kafnu: Asia-Pacific coworking and community space operator combining workspace, events, and networking. Comparable regional play focused on emerging-market creative/tech communities.
• Hubud: Community-led coworking space in Bali targeting entrepreneurs, creatives, and remote workers. Comparable emerging-market innovation hub model with community-driven GTM similar to CIT.

Others

• AOD (Academy of Design): Sri Lanka's leading design educator and CIT's strategic partner/powering entity. Related as the upstream talent pipeline and brand affiliation, not a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/Wix
• Facebookfacebook.com/ColomboInnovationTower
• Instagraminstagram.com/colomboinnovationtower
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/colombo-innovation-tower

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Colombo Innovation Tower