Kids Brain Health Network

What Kids Brain Health Network does

Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN) is a Canadian non-profit research network, founded circa 2009-2010 (originally as NeuroDevNet), that funds, develops, and scales evidence-based interventions for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities including ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, developmental coordination disorder, and learning disorders. The organization operates from a headquarters at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, BC, with distributed administrative staff across seven Canadian cities (Calgary, Delta, Kingston, Ottawa, Surrey, Toronto, Vancouver), and serves three core challenge areas: early identification, effective interventions, and family support.

KBHN's product surface includes the Dino Island therapeutic tablet video game for children ages 6-12 (designed to improve executive functioning, attention, working memory, and self-regulation, with an expansion funded by the Molson Foundation in April 2025 to extend the game to teenagers and remote delivery), the BCI4Kids pediatric brain-computer interface program that enables children with severe neurological disorders to control a robotic boccia ramp via brain impulses, and the RIPT (Resistance Intensive Personal Training) community-based power training program for children with cerebral palsy. The network also operates the biennial KBH+ Conference (next scheduled October 18-21, 2026 in Calgary), the KBHN Call for Proposals (in partnership with Brain Canada), the Indigenous Stream funding initiative, and the KBH Innovation Fund. An AI-powered sound-filtering application for autistic youth is in development under a TD Bank Group grant.

KBHN's revenue model is grant-based: the Government of Canada's Strategic Science Fund committed up to $17 million in May 2024, Brain Canada partnered on $4 million+ across 14 projects in March 2026, and corporate philanthropy from TD Bank Group ($500,000) and the Molson Foundation ($100,000) supplements institutional funding. Charitable donations flow through the Kids Brain Health Foundation (KBHF), established in 2016 as an adjacent operating subsidiary. KBHN's go-to-market is event-driven and network-mediated — biennial conferences, calls for proposals, and partnerships with academic institutions, hospitals (Alberta Children's Hospital), and community organizations (WinSport Calgary, Steadward Centre, MaRS Discovery District) — rather than commercial sales. The organization does not sell products or services and has no disclosed parent company, equity backers, or public listing.

Name

Kids Brain Health Network

Legal name

Kids Brain Health Network

Website

https://kidsbrainhealth.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN) is a Canadian non-profit research network, founded circa 2009-2010, that funds and scales evidence-based interventions including therapeutic video games, brain-computer interfaces, and rehabilitation programs for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities across Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Neurodevelopmental Research

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Neurodevelopmental & Behavioral Therapy Platforms (ADHD/Autism/Behavioral Coaching) (HLALAEAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

School-Based Mental & Behavioral Health Services (EDAJAIAB), Parent & Caregiver Training for LD/Dyslexia Support (EDAKAJAJ), Mental Health Counseling & Therapy Services (K–12) (EDAJALAG)

Keywords

• Pediatric neurodevelopmental research
• Therapeutic video games
• Brain-computer interface therapy
• Pediatric rehabilitation programs
• Implementation science network

Headquarters

HQ city

Burnaby

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Research Funding: KBHN receives funding from the Government of Canada's Strategic Science Fund (SSF), which invested up to $17 million in KBHN and 23 other organizations in 2024 to support neuroscience research and innovations for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Additional funding comes from Brain Canada through the Canada Brain Research Fund.
2. Philanthropic Donations: The Kids Brain Health Foundation (KBHF) accepts charitable donations to support KBHN's mission. Major grants include $100,000 from The Molson Foundation and $500,000 from TD Bank Group for AI-powered application development.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN) is a Canada-wide non-profit research network that funds, scales, and implements proven solutions for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families. Its core offerings include the Dino Island therapeutic video game for cognitive rehabilitation in children ages 6-12, the BCI4Kids brain-computer interface program, the RIPT power training program for children with cerebral palsy, an AI-powered sound-filtering application for autistic youth, the biennial KBH+ Conference, Calls for Proposals funding programs, the Indigenous Stream funding initiative, and the KBH Innovation Fund.

Product overview

Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN) is a Canada-wide research and implementation network, not a single-product company. The core offerings consist of: Dino Island, a therapeutic tablet-based video game that delivers cognitive exercises to improve executive functioning and attention in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities; KBH+ Conference, an annual national conference for knowledge-sharing among researchers, clinicians, families, and policymakers; and multiple funding programs including the Call for Proposals 2025 (in partnership with Brain Canada), the Indigenous Stream (supporting Indigenous community-driven projects), the KBH Innovation Fund, and KBHF Programs. These offerings work together to support early identification, effective interventions, and family support for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities across Canada.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dino Island Therapeutic Video Game A therapeutic tablet-based cognitive rehabilitation game for children ages 6-12 with neurodevelopmental disabilities (ADHD, ASD, FASD, learning disorders). Five dinosaur-themed games target executive functioning, attention, working memory, and self-regulation, grounded in over three decades of validated neuroscience and delivered with metacognitive coaching support from caregivers. Over 1,000 children have benefited.
• BCI4Kids Brain-Computer Interface Program A pediatric brain-computer interface program that develops BCI-enabled boccia (a robotic ramp controlled by brain impulses) to enable children with severe neurological disorders to participate in sports and play, in clinical partnership with Alberta Children's Hospital.
• RIPT Power Training Program Resistance Intensive Personal Training (RIPT), an innovative, individualized, community-based, goal-focused power training program for children with cerebral palsy to improve functional mobility. Implementation is supported through the PIONEER project with community partners including WinSport Calgary and the Steadward Centre in Edmonton.
• KBH+ Conference Biennial national conference that brings together researchers, clinicians, families, community partners, and policymakers to share knowledge and accelerate implementation of innovations for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.
• KBHN Call for Proposals 2025 Funding program run in partnership with Brain Canada that supports bold innovation and implementation projects to improve outcomes for children and youth with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families across Canada.
• Indigenous Stream Unique funding initiative supporting community-driven projects with major impact on Indigenous children and youth with neurodevelopmental disabilities across Canada, including Community Impact Grants and Connection Grants, guided by KBHN's Indigenous Advisory Circle.
• KBH Innovation Fund Fund committed to improving access to services and solutions families need to thrive, supporting the mission of transforming the lives of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.
• AI-Powered Sound-Filtering Application for Autistic Youth AI-powered application designed to filter disruptive sounds and enable autistic youth to participate in daily activities, funded through a $500,000 TD Bank Group TD Ready Commitment grant to the Kids Brain Health Foundation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 185,000 children in Canada can benefit from scaled solutions
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and minor.

• CHILD-BRIGHTstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2026KBHN supports the CHILD-BRIGHT network's annual conference, scheduled for February 2-3, 2026 in Toronto. KBHN's Scientific Director Dr. Jennifer Zwicker participated in a roundtable discussion at the 2026 conference.
• MaRS Discovery DistrictstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026KBHN and MaRS Discovery District announced a new collaboration to facilitate better outcomes for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families. KBHN-funded projects will gain access to MaRS business development expertise and initiatives, helping innovations move beyond experimental stage to reach families.
• Simon Fraser UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010KBHN is hosted at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, BC. The university provides administrative infrastructure and support for the network's operations. KBHN adopted SFU's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.
• WinSport CalgaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for the PIONEER project, collaborating on implementation of the RIPT power training program for children with cerebral palsy in Calgary.
• Steadward CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for the PIONEER project, collaborating on implementation of the RIPT power training program in Edmonton.
• Alberta Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical partner for the PIONEER project and BCI4Kids program, collaborating on pediatric rehabilitation research and brain-computer interface development.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CHILD-BRIGHT Network: Canadian patient-oriented research network focused on children with brain-based developmental disabilities and their families. Directly comparable to KBHN as a federally-funded, pan-Canadian pediatric neurodevelopmental research network; KBHN itself supports the CHILD-BRIGHT annual conference.
• CanChild (McMaster University): McMaster-affiliated research center dedicated to producing and disseminating knowledge to enhance the lives of children and youth with developmental conditions and their families. Closely comparable in mission, methodology (implementation science, family-centered care) and population served.

Broad incumbents

• Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital: Canada's largest pediatric rehabilitation hospital and a leading research center for children with disabilities, including cerebral palsy, ASD and acquired brain injury. Comparable to KBHN as a large-scale pediatric neurodevelopmental clinical-research institution with implementation reach.
• Ontario Brain Institute: Ontario-based provincially funded brain research organization that funds collaborative, multi-institution neuroscience research programs. Comparable as a Canadian brain-research network funding mechanism that supports translational neuro projects, although with broader (adult + pediatric) scope.
• Autism Canada: National advocacy and information organization addressing autism across the lifespan. Comparable to KBHN in serving Canadian families affected by autism spectrum disorder and funding/promoting related programs, although focused on advocacy rather than research translation.
• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH): Canada's largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital and a leading research center. Comparable in operating as a Canadian clinical-research powerhouse in behavioral/neurodevelopmental health; differs in being an adult-leaning clinical provider.

Emerging players

• PlaySpace.Health: Virtual playroom platform serving child, teen and neurodivergent therapy populations globally. Founded by KBHF board member Matt Cohen. Comparable as a digital therapeutic platform targeting neurodivergent children, with overlapping product/philosophy to KBHN's Dino Island.
• Neuro Solutions Group (NSG): Canadian company delivering accessible, personalized, evidence-informed companion technologies for neurodivergent children's mental health and daily functioning. Founded by KBHF board member Annie Martineau. Directly comparable as a commercial pediatric neurodevelopmental digital therapeutics player adjacent to KBHN's mandate.

Regional players

• Azrieli Centre for Neurodevelopmental Research: Pediatric neurodevelopmental research program based at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto. Comparable as an institutionally anchored pediatric neurodevelopmental research center; differs from KBHN in being hospital-hosted rather than a national network.
• BC Children's Hospital Research Institute: Provincial pediatric research institute located at the same SFU-adjacent academic ecosystem where KBHN is hosted. Comparable as a pediatric research environment focused on child health including neurodevelopment; differs in being province-bound and clinically embedded.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutu.be/lPVxkEPwz7k
• Xx.com/KidsBrainHealth
• Facebookfacebook.com/kidsbrainhealth
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kids-brain-health-network

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Kids Brain Health Network