In an age of data-driven decision-making, the distinction between insight and oversight increasingly hinges on the caliber of data we gather. Amidst the digital noise, one startup is quietly making waves by focusing on the most underrated aspects of analysis and research—data hygiene and respondent privacy.

Meet CrowdSnap, a privacy-first research platform that’s carving a niche in the B2B space—already trusted by publicly listed companies and government agencies alike.

In this edition of Newzchain Exclusive, we interviewed CrowdSnap founder Hasitha A. to delve into the startup’s journey: what inspired its creation, how it’s navigating the competitive landscape, and why solving fundamental data challenges may be the key to unlocking smarter decisions.

From Flawed Data to Focused Decisions

CrowdSnap was born from a simple yet critical observation: bad data leads to bad decisions. In a world where businesses are increasingly dependent on data to shape strategy, flawed or low-quality inputs can derail even the most sophisticated plans.

In fact, an industry research report suggests that poor-quality or "dirty" data is projected to cost businesses up to 25% of their potential revenue.

That’s precisely where CrowdSnap enters the frame, as Hasitha saw this gap as an opportunity.

“We’re solving data quality issues that lead to poor business decisions,” he tells Newzchain. “That’s where CrowdSnap steps in—ensuring higher quality data collection, advanced analytics, and secure reports, all while protecting respondent privacy.”

Designed specifically for researchers, brands, and decision-makers, CrowdSnap is more than just a survey tool—it’s a comprehensive research platform. With an AI-first approach, the platform transforms complex business problems into survey designs in seconds, integrates real-time analytics, and offers blockchain-backed authenticity to keep insights verifiable and tamper-proof. Respondent privacy isn’t an afterthought—it’s a core pillar, with Multi-Party Computation (MPC) baked into the system to preserve confidentiality.

Since its inception, CrowdSnap has grown steadily while remaining lean and focused. The company has already secured 10 long-term B2B clients, including two top 10 publicly listed companies and a leading government agency—all without spending a dollar on marketing.

Backed by Microsoft for Startups and fully bootstrapped, CrowdSnap’s six-member team, which began with just three, has expanded as the company continues to carve out its niche.

Course Corrections and Clear Horizons

For Hasitha, building CrowdSnap has been as much about internal clarity as external innovation. The company’s early journey was marked by what he describes as a “reality check,” a period when sales were a challenge and technology-driven marketing strategies fell short of expectations.

“We had a period of reality check, around a year,” Hasitha recalls.
“Trusting more on technology marketing… it was not going well. Then we immediately adjusted and started listening to clients to capture their most business-critical pain point and solve it.”

That shift from product-push to problem-solving became a defining moment. Rather than relying solely on its tech stack to speak for itself, the team leaned into real-world conversations, refining features to directly address the pain points businesses face when collecting and analyzing sensitive data. This user-first mindset not only improved product relevance but also shaped CrowdSnap’s evolving go-to-market strategy.

Additionally, CrowdSnap is the first research platform to successfully integrate MPC and fully preserve respondents' privacy, a technological milestone that Hasitha and his team take immense pride in.

Speaking of what the goal is down the line, Hasitha stated that CrowdSnap’s current short-term goal is laser-focused: achieving significant growth within the year. It’s an ambitious leap from their current position but well within reach. In terms of their longer-term vision, regional expansion through reseller partnerships takes the centre stage, beginning next year—an approach that aligns seamlessly with their B2B focus and lean operational model.

Underpinning this growth is a work culture built on both autonomy and accountability. The team operates fully remotely, in what Hasitha describes as a “flexible” environment, giving developers the freedom and ownership they need to excel. And it’s working! Each team member contributes meaningfully, boosting productivity without bloating costs.

Wisdom from the Trenches

As CrowdSnap looks ahead, the journey of entrepreneurship remains one of continuous adaptation and relentless focus. But Hasitha isn’t just building a business—he’s shaping a mindset. 

Reflecting on his experiences, he offers a piece of advice that resonates deeply with anyone considering the entrepreneurial path: 

"Understand that the product development journey is hard and be ready and prepared for it. Start building something immediately, because products can always pivot and adjust. But if you waste time overthinking, networking, meeting advisors, attending events, etc., then nothing will come out."

In many ways, this philosophy encapsulates CrowdSnap’s approach: it’s not about waiting for perfect conditions or a flawless plan—it’s about taking action, learning from mistakes, and course-correcting along the way. In the fast-paced world of startups, the pursuit of perfection can often paralyze progress. As Hasitha shows, moving forward, even imperfectly, is key.

CrowdSnap is still in its early chapters, but the foundation it’s building, focused on data integrity, privacy, and meaningful growth, lays the groundwork for a future where businesses and consumers alike can make smarter, more secure decisions. And for Hasitha, that’s just the beginning.

Edited by Harshajit Sarmah