Pledger Spotlight: Suriyaa Sundararuban

Meet Suriyaa Sundararuban, an entrepreneur and Oxford Cambridge Fellow living in Munich, Germany.

We recently spoke about what effective giving, the 🔶 10% Pledge, and Giving What We Can mean to him.

“I grew up in poverty,” Suriyaa told me. “My parents lost everything during the Sri Lankan civil war and came to Germany with nothing.”

Despite these struggles, Suriyaa has always valued giving back. As a child, he admired the legacies of philanthropists like Carnegie, Rockefeller, Gates, and other public figures. But it was the classic 2007 Tamil film Sivaji: The Boss that really hit home. The film had a profound influence on Suriyaa, shaping many of his core beliefs:

“Some of the values that led me to take the Pledge are actually lessons from that movie: Take action because others won’t. Lead by example. And be a role model – even if you have to overcome obstacles to do so."

Suriyaa took the Pledge In January 2023. Since then, his giving streak has remained uninterrupted.“The realisation that effective giving doesn’t require extraordinary wealth was liberating,” he told me.

“I’ve always wanted to give back, but traditional charities often proved less impactful than I hoped. When I discovered that there are more effective options, everything changed.”

Here's more about Suriyaa and his approach to giving.

1. Tell us about yourself. What keeps you busy and what makes you tick?

I would call myself a tech enthusiast. I’m constantly exploring innovations that shape the present and the long-term future. Professionally and personally, I enjoy diving into new technologies, collaborating with builders, and creating solutions that move society forward. I’m passionate about using my income and wealth to help others and create better systems for social mobility, and I’m fueled by creative problem-solving and ambitious goals.

2. What are the issues in the world that you care most deeply about?

Poverty reduction and health improvement are my top priorities, as they lay the foundation for human flourishing and opportunity.

3. Which organizations do you give to (and why)?

I regularly donate to Against Malaria Foundation, Deworm the World, GiveDirectly, Helen Keller International, Malaria Consortium, and New Incentives. These organizations embody rigorous evidence-based approaches and deliver measurable impact for those most in need.

4. Do you ever find it difficult to give?

At the start, allocating 10% of income was challenging. But it becomes second nature, especially after setting up systems and habits that make regular giving seamless.

5. Do you try to effect change in any other way?

In addition to financial giving, I contribute through volunteering, Open Source projects to make technology more accessible, and other initiatives that empower others — like teaching coding on StackOverflow before the AI era, investing in high-impact startups, and mentorship.

6. What effective giving tips would you like to share?

Start small! Donate just 1% of your monthly income and gradually increase. Set up automatic transfers to savings accounts dedicated to giving; this makes budgeting easier and giving regular.

7. What suggestions do you have for other people considering the Pledge?

Don’t just promise, take action. Be a doer! The real impact comes from follow-through, not intentions.

8. What are your visions for the future?

My vision is to lead and build transformative organizations that positively impact billions, creating enduring prosperity for humanity across generations. Some of my startups and innovation projects include an initiative to make Open Source the new primary industry standard, projects to empower the “unbanked” (those who lack access to financial services), and healthcare to address chronic diseases.

9. Have you found anything to be helpful in talking to people about effective giving?

Absolutely. Sharing personal experiences and insights has inspired others to explore effective giving themselves. The ripple effect is real!

10. Any final words?

The Pledge connected me with some of the smartest, most principled people globally. I felt so inspired to join this global community where integrity and impact come first. I’m really interested in getting to know other pledgers and driven people who want to make the world a better place, and think the Pledge helps us connect and empower each other. This community has enriched my perspective and strengthened my commitment – it’s been a real privilege.