Centre for a Smart Future
Centre for a Smart Future is a Colombo-based non-profit think tank conducting interdisciplinary policy research and advocacy on climate, urban development, inclusive technology, and sustainable tourism for Sri Lankan government, international organizations, and civil society.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersColombo, Sri Lanka
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Centre for a Smart Future does
Centre for a Smart Future (CSF) is an independent, non-profit interdisciplinary think tank founded in 2021 and headquartered at Bay 12, TRACE City, Maradana, Colombo 10, Sri Lanka. It conducts primary policy research and stakeholder advocacy across four thematic pillars: urban development (through the Colombo Urban Lab), nature and climate-economic recovery, inclusive technology and digital governance, and sustainable tourism. The organization targets Sri Lankan policymakers and government institutions (notably the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, where co-founder Anushka Wijesinha sits on the Governing Board), international development organizations (World Bank, ADB, ILO, UNCTAD, IFPRI), civil society groups, and the private sector.
CSF's offerings are research initiatives rather than commercial products: policy briefs, primary research reports, op-eds, expert roundtables, the YPPP learning platform for young policy professionals, and the Natural Capital Forum. Notable proprietary outputs include the Colombo Settlements Survey 2023 (1,360 settlements across 27 indicators) and the Green Finance Maturity Assessment 2024 (20 financial institutions). The underlying technology stack is conventional—website, newsletter, and webinar infrastructure—with no proprietary software, APIs, or AI/ML systems disclosed.
Revenue is generated through research grants and project-based partnerships with international foundations and institutions (Open Society Foundations, Max Planck Foundation, Blue Resources Trust, Institute of Development Studies, London School of Economics, The Asia Foundation). CSF does not sell commercial services or license intellectual property; grants fund specific research streams. Distribution occurs through direct stakeholder engagement, policy submissions, media partnerships (Echelon, Sunday Times FT), events, and digital content. With 11–50 employees, CSF operates a community-led go-to-market model anchored by two co-founders and an international Global Advisory Council.
Centre for a Smart Future firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Centre for a Smart Future
- Legal name
- Centre for a Smart Future
- Website
- https://csf-asia.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Centre for a Smart Future is a Colombo-based non-profit think tank conducting interdisciplinary policy research and advocacy on climate, urban development, inclusive technology, and sustainable tourism for Sri Lankan government, international organizations, and civil society.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Centre for a Smart Future industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Policy Research and Advisory
- NAICS
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (9251), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541)
- SIC
- International Affairs (9721)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming (BPADAEAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Climate Finance, Carbon Markets & MRV Systems (BPADALAB), Central Government Policy, Strategy & Performance (incl. OMB-style functions) (BPAIAAAB), Project Preparation Facilities & Technical Assistance Windows (BPADAOAI)
Keywords
Where Centre for a Smart Future is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Colombo
- HQ country
- Sri Lanka
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Centre for a Smart Future business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Research Grants and Partnerships: CSF receives funding from international development organizations, foundations, and research partners including Institute of Development Studies, Open Society Foundations, Max Planck Foundation, and Blue Resources Trust to conduct specific research initiatives.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Centre for a Smart Future product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Centre for a Smart Future (CSF) is an interdisciplinary public policy think tank based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It conducts high-quality primary research and advocacy across thematic pillars including equitable urban development, nature-linked climate and economy, inclusive technology and gig work, and sustainable tourism. Deliverables include research reports, policy briefs, surveys (e.g., the Colombo Settlements Survey), op-eds, expert convenings, and learning platforms such as the Young Professionals in Public Policy (YPPP).
Product overview
Centre for a Smart Future is an interdisciplinary public policy think tank rather than a product company. Its offerings consist of research programs and platforms: Colombo Urban Lab (urban policy research), Nature Climate and the Economy Programme (sustainable finance and climate research), Inclusive Technology and Innovation (gig economy and digital policy), Young Professionals in Public Policy (YPPP) networking platform, Natural Capital Forum (collaboration forum), and Tourism and Nature research. These are research initiatives, not commercial software products.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Colombo Urban Lab: A collaborative and interdisciplinary space enabling connections between research, practice and public policy for equitable and sustainable cities in Sri Lanka.
- Natural Capital Forum
- Young Professionals in Public Policy (YPPP)
Quantifiable outcome
- Colombo Settlements Survey 2023: 1,360 settlements surveyed with 27 indicators for physical infrastructure, tenure, and socio-economic conditions
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Centre for a Smart Future
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Centre for a Smart Future technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Centre for a Smart Future partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Institute of Development Studies (IDS)coreCSF collaborates with IDS on interdisciplinary research initiatives including the Living Off-Grid Food and Infrastructure Collaboration (LOGIC), a five-country research project exploring the infrastructure-nutrition nexus among urban poor communities.
- Blue Resources TrustcoreCSF partners with Blue Resources Trust on sustainable finance research, marine conservation financing, and the Natural Capital Forum. Joint project on innovative financing for sustainable marine conservation in Sri Lanka.
- London School of Economics (LSE)coreAcademic partnership for research collaboration, with CSF researchers holding degrees from LSE and advisory council members from LSE including Professor Ulrich Volz.
- Biodiversity Sri LankacoreCSF collaborates with Biodiversity Sri Lanka on green finance research, including the Green Finance Maturity Assessment 2024 surveying 20 financial institutions.
- Good Life XcoreCollaboration on research exploring Sri Lanka's sustainable business landscape and regenerative business models for nature-positive recovery.
- Sevanatha Urban Resource CentercoreCSF collaborates with Sevanatha on the Colombo Settlements Survey 2023, the third iteration surveying 1,360 urban settlements in the City of Colombo.
- International Labour Organization (ILO)coreCollaboration on research related to gig economy, platform work, and future of work in Sri Lanka.
- IFPRI (International Food Policy Research Institute)coreCSF collaborates through Colombo Urban Lab on the FRESH (Fruit and Vegetables for Sustainable Healthy Diets) initiative led by IFPRI/CGIAR, exploring food environments in Colombo.
- Conservation Finance AlliancesupportingCollaboration on conservation finance knowledge sharing, including roundtable discussions on Conservation Trust Funds with CFA Executive Director David Meyers.
- Echelon MediacoreCollaborative media series on 'Nature-Positive Economic Recovery for Sri Lanka' producing interview series with policymakers, financial sector leaders, and conservation practitioners.
- The Asia FoundationcoreCSF collaborates with The Asia Foundation on various research initiatives including gig economy work and youth engagement, with co-founder having previously served on their Board of Trustees.
- Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS)supportingPartnership through LOGIC research collaboration and advisory connection through Global Advisory Council member Dr. Gautam Bhan.
- African Centre for Cities, University of Cape TownsupportingPartner in Living Off-Grid Food and Infrastructure Collaboration (LOGIC) exploring infrastructure-nutrition nexus across five cities.
- University of GhanasupportingPartner in LOGIC research collaboration as part of five-city study on infrastructure and urban food environments.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Centre for a Smart Future competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI): International research institute on environment and development policy. Directly comparable to CSF's climate, urban, and sustainability research portfolio and engagement with international donors.
- World Resources Institute (WRI): Global research organization working on environment and sustainable development. Comparable to CSF's urban, climate, and nature-positive economic recovery research agenda at much larger scale.
- Overseas Development Institute (ODI): Major global development think tank. Comparable in scale and thematic breadth on economic development, climate, and governance to CSF's broader ambition, and operates as an established incumbent in the space.
- The Asia Foundation: International development organization working across Asia. A direct partner of CSF, with comparable focus on governance, economic reform, and policy engagement in South Asia.
- International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD): International think tank on sustainable development and climate policy. Comparable to CSF's Nature, Climate and Economy programme in particular, with strong overlap on green finance and policy advisory.
Direct peers
- Centre for Poverty Analysis (CEPA): Sri Lankan think tank focused on poverty, inequality, and social policy. Overlaps directly with CSF's work on social protection, urban equity, and inclusive economic recovery.
- Verité Research: Colombo-based independent think tank producing policy research on economics, politics, and media. Comparable to CSF as a Sri Lanka-based interdisciplinary research organization engaging government and civil society.
- Institute of Development Studies (IDS): UK-based global research and learning organization on international development. A direct research partner of CSF on the LOGIC collaboration, operating in adjacent development research themes.
- Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS Sri Lanka): Sri Lanka's flagship economic policy think tank. Most directly comparable to CSF as a domestic policy research organization producing economic and social analysis for the same Sri Lankan policymaker audience.
Regional players
- Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS): India-based research and action institute on urbanization and human settlements. Comparable to CSF's Colombo Urban Lab in particular and a LOGIC research partner, operating in a different geography but on adjacent urban equity themes.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Centre for a Smart Future social profiles
Digital presenceCentre for a Smart Future financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Centre for a Smart Future leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Centre for a Smart Future subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Centre for a Smart Future funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Centre for a Smart Future M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Centre for a Smart Future
What does Centre for a Smart Future do?
The Centre for a Smart Future (CSF) is an interdisciplinary public policy think tank based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It conducts high-quality primary research and advocacy across thematic pillars including equitable urban development, nature-linked climate and economy, inclusive technology and gig work, and sustainable tourism. Deliverables include research reports, policy briefs, surveys (e.g., the Colombo Settlements Survey), op-eds, expert convenings, and learning platforms such as the Young Professionals in Public Policy (YPPP).
Is Centre for a Smart Future a public or private company?
Centre for a Smart Future is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Centre for a Smart Future founded?
Centre for a Smart Future was founded in 2021. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Centre for a Smart Future based?
Centre for a Smart Future is headquartered in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in the Asia region.
How does Centre for a Smart Future make money?
One revenue line is on record: research Grants and Partnerships.
Who are Centre for a Smart Future's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), World Resources Institute (WRI), Overseas Development Institute (ODI), The Asia Foundation and International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). Direct peers are Centre for Poverty Analysis (CEPA), Verité Research, Institute of Development Studies (IDS) and Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS Sri Lanka). Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS) is listed as a regional player.
Does Centre for a Smart Future have an API?
No public API is recorded for Centre for a Smart Future.
What industry is Centre for a Smart Future in?
Centre for a Smart Future's product category is Public Policy Research and Advisory. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADAEAK, Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming, with a secondary code of BPADALAB, Climate Finance, Carbon Markets & MRV Systems. Its NAICS code is 54172 and its SIC code is 9721.