Chrysalis

What Chrysalis does

Chrysalis is a Sri Lankan non-profit social enterprise headquartered in Colombo, established in 2016 as a spin-off from CARE Sri Lanka's 60-year development legacy. The organization focuses on catalyzing inclusive growth for women and youth across Sri Lanka through seven thematic business solutions: Emergency Planning Preparedness and Response, Building Peace, Climate Justice, Gender Equality, Ending Gender-Based Violence, Inclusive Business, and Inclusive Governance.

Its operating model combines direct community-level programme delivery with institutional advisory work. At the grassroots, Chrysalis implements donor-funded projects supporting MSMEs, farming communities, and marginalized populations through grants, equipment provision, training, and infrastructure. It runs three internal sub-brands: Chrysalis Advisory Services (a paid consulting arm serving 35+ clients in 30+ countries), Made by Her (women's economic empowerment), and HIVE (innovation and collaboration platform). Revenue comes primarily from international donor grants (EU, BMZ, GIZ, UN agencies, Gates Foundation, Hilton Foundation, FCDO, Global Affairs Canada, DFAT) supplemented by fee-for-service advisory work and individual donations. The organization partners extensively with Sri Lankan government ministries, civil society organizations, private sector companies (Standard Chartered, Diageo, Unilever, H&M), and academic institutions, employing approximately 55 staff.

Name

Chrysalis

Legal name

Chrysalis

Website

https://chrysaliscatalyz.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Chrysalis is a Sri Lankan non-profit social enterprise, spun off from CARE Sri Lanka in 2016, that delivers gender equality, youth empowerment, and inclusive economic growth programmes domestically while providing paid gender and inclusion advisory services to 35+ clients in 30+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Development and Advisory Services

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

akta.pro primary industry

Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment (BPAGABAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Gender Equality & Women’s Rights (BPADAGAF)

Keywords

• Gender equality programs
• Women empowerment services
• Youth development programs
• Development advisory consulting
• Inclusive governance solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Colombo

HQ country

Sri Lanka

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donor Funding and Grants: Primary funding comes from international donors, foundations, and development organisations. Chrysalis receives grants and co-funding from entities such as EU, BMZ, GIZ, Hilton Foundation, and various UN agencies to implement development programmes.
2. Chrysalis Advisory Services: A subsidiary providing paid consulting, research, and training services to organisations seeking expertise in gender equality, inclusion, and development programming. Backed by 35+ clients in 30+ countries.
3. Donations: Individual donations are accepted to support programmes that uplift women and youth across Sri Lanka.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Chrysalis is a Sri Lankan social enterprise that delivers development programmes focused on women's and youth empowerment, gender equality, climate justice, and inclusive growth across Sri Lanka. It implements grassroots community projects funded by international donors and government partners, and operates a paid advisory subsidiary (Chrysalis Advisory Services) that provides research, training, and expert consulting on gender equality, social inclusion, and GBV prevention to organisations globally.

Product overview

Chrysalis is a Sri Lankan social enterprise that operates as a platform of interconnected programs and business units focused on catalyzing inclusive growth for women and youth. The organization is structured around its core entity (Chrysalis) and several specialized sub-brands: Chrysalis Advisory Services provides research, training, and expert consulting to organizations; Made by Her focuses on women's economic empowerment through entrepreneurship; and HIVE drives innovation and collaborative development approaches. The portfolio also includes seven thematic business solutions covering Emergency Planning Preparedness and Response, Building Peace, Climate Justice, Gender Equality, Ending Gender Based Violence, Inclusive Business, and Inclusive Governance. These products and services work together to deliver comprehensive support across community empowerment, enterprise development, and governance strengthening throughout Sri Lanka.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Chrysalis Advisory Services: Advisory services providing research, training, and expert advice to organizations advancing gender equality and inclusive growth

Products and services

• Chrysalis Advisory Services Paid advisory arm providing gender analyses, GBV prevention strategies, conflict sensitivity training, organizational change support, and research services to public, private, and civil society organisations seeking expertise in gender equality and inclusive growth; backed by 35+ clients across 30+ countries.
• Made by Her Sub-brand and initiative advancing women's economic empowerment through entrepreneurship development, market access support, and enterprise strengthening for women-led businesses across Sri Lanka.
• HIVE Business unit platform for youth and women's empowerment through innovative and collaborative approaches to inclusive development, engaging young people and partners in programme design and delivery.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reached millions across 25 countries through CARE International's Life Free from Violence programme coordination (2017-2023)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

32 partnerships are on record, tiered foundational, core, moderate and minor.

• CARE InternationalfoundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerChrysalis was established out of CARE Sri Lanka's 60-year legacy and maintains close operational ties with CARE offices globally. CARE International is a key founding partner providing programme support, technical guidance, and network connections.
• UN WomencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner for Women's Economic Empowerment training package development and gender equality programmes in Sri Lanka.
• UNDPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner collaborating on governance, poverty reduction, and inclusive growth programmes across Sri Lanka.
• UNFPAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on population and development programmes, particularly related to gender equality and youth empowerment initiatives.
• UNHCRmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on protection and humanitarian programmes for displaced populations in Sri Lanka.
• CARE USA / CARE UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContinued partnership with CARE offices for tea plantation community empowerment programmes and humanitarian initiatives. CARE Australia supported flood relief efforts.
• British CouncilmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK cultural relations and development organisation partner on education and governance programmes.
• Standard Chartered BankmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate sector partner providing support for financial inclusion and economic empowerment programmes.
• Twinnings / Twinings Global CaremoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerTea company partnership supporting tea plantation communities through sustainable livelihood programmes.
• Bogawantalawa Tea Estates PlcmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerTea plantation company partner for estate community development and worker welfare programmes.
• DiageominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeverage company partner for responsible business and community programmes.
• SABMillerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrewery company partnership for community development initiatives.
• UnileverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsumer goods company partnership for inclusive business and sustainability programmes.
• General ElectricminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner for development initiatives and skills training programmes.
• International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerDemocracy and governance partner for electoral and political participation programmes.
• National Democratic Institute (NDI)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerDemocracy support organisation partner for civic engagement and governance programmes.
• The Asia FoundationmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational development organisation partner for governance, gender, and development programmes in Sri Lanka.
• Government of Sri Lanka - Ministry of Women and Child DevelopmentcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGovernment ministry partner for policy implementation and programme delivery on women's and children's issues.
• Women's Bureau of Sri LankacoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGovernment body partner for women's empowerment and gender equality programmes.
• Women In NeedmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal NGO partner for women's protection and support services.
• Law and Society Trust (LST)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegal rights organisation partner for advocacy and justice programmes.
• Monash UniversitymoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for research collaboration and knowledge sharing on development issues.
• Global CommunitiesmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerHumanitarian and development organisation partner for community development programmes.
• HI / LuxembourgmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerHumanitarian organisation partner for disability inclusion and protection programmes.
• Ethical Tea PartnershipmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerTea sustainability organisation partner for tea sector worker welfare and environmental programmes.
• SVRI (Sexual Violence Research Initiative)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch network partner for gender-based violence prevention research.
• European Return and Integration Network (ERIN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partner for migration and reintegration support programmes.
• Welthungerhilfe Global Care (via CARE Deutschland)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman humanitarian organisation partnership for food security and nutrition programmes.
• CARE Deutschland-LuxemburgmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerCARE office partnership for development and humanitarian programmes.
• Cardno Emerging Markets (Australia)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInternational development consultancy implementing programmes on behalf of donors.
• SIGS (Maldives)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaldives-based governance and security institute partnership.
• Institute of Health BureauminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth sector partner for public health and nutrition programmes.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Restless Development: Youth-led development organization focused on youth leadership and employment; comparable niche focus on one of Chrysalis's primary beneficiary segments (youth).
• The Asia Foundation: Listed as a Chrysalis partner; both organizations work on governance, gender, and inclusive development across Sri Lanka with comparable donor-funded programme structures.
• Women in Need (WIN): Sri Lankan NGO partner of Chrysalis providing women's protection and GBV response services; directly comparable as a local women's rights nonprofit operating in the same geography and thematic space.

Broad incumbents

• UN Women: UN agency leading global gender equality and women's empowerment programming; comparable because it is a major funder/strategic partner to Chrysalis and operates parallel policy and capacity-building programmes.
• Mercy Corps: Global INGO operating women's economic empowerment, climate resilience, and MSME programmes in fragile markets; comparable model and donor base to Chrysalis.
• ActionAid International: Federation of INGOs focused on women's rights, governance, and poverty alleviation across Asia and Africa; comparable as a large-scale gender-focused development organization competing for similar donor funding.
• BRAC: One of the world's largest development NGOs operating women's empowerment, MSME support, and livelihoods programmes across South Asia; comparable as a scale leader in the same thematic space.
• Oxfam: Global INGO with extensive gender justice, MSME support, and governance programming; comparable donor-funded model and thematic overlap.
• Plan International: Global INGO focused on children's rights, girls' empowerment, and gender equality; comparable as a major competitor for the same institutional donor funds targeting women and youth.
• CARE International: CARE is Chrysalis's parent legacy organization and one of the world's largest gender and poverty-focused INGOs; directly comparable as it operates the same donor-funded, women-empowerment model globally.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chrysalisgtesl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries3 records

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 Chrysalis