What Community Circle does

Community Circle is an independent federal not-for-profit center of excellence founded in December 2008 and headquartered in Delta, British Columbia, Canada. Originally established as RESEAU under Canada's Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the organization rebranded in 2018 and now co-innovates sustainable water health solutions with Indigenous and rural communities across Canada and internationally (USA, Norway, Africa, Japan). Its primary beneficiaries are First Nations communities facing long-term drinking water advisories; secondary stakeholders include rural municipalities, federal and provincial government agencies, SMEs seeking entry into rural markets, and academic researchers. Community Circle operates a 'pay for success' funding model in which it identifies and develops novel water-health solutions, demonstrates viability, and then transitions capital and operational responsibility to government (for First Nations communities) or grant funders (for non-First Nations communities). Revenue is derived from provincial and federal government grants (most recently a CAD $30.4 million award from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada in December 2023) and private donors.

The organization's platform-plus-programs model centers on three core technology assets: (1) the Operators' Walkthrough Lab (OWL), a next-generation digital training platform built on Unity by Transform Interactive and distributed across iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows app stores to convey real-world understanding of drinking water disinfection; (2) Mobile Research Labs, advanced 'labs on wheels' featuring filtration, ion exchange, activated carbon absorption, and UV treatment systems used as design-thinking platforms rather than purely product demonstrations; and (3) the trademarked Community Circle™ methodology, a five-phase iterative co-innovation approach (Awakening, Discovery, Story, Engagement, Rewards & Risk) recognized through multiple industry awards. Adjacent methodologies include Innovation Jam Sessions™ (a front-end knowledge coordination protocol) and Research-based Theatre (RbT), the latter operationalized in the 2024 'Climate Play' national verbatim theatre project. Programs span pipeline-building (K-12 Youth Engagement, Mobilizing Symphony, Open Circle Series), technology (Design for People, Anchor Centres targeting 15 Indigenous communities), and policy/regulation (Indigenous Scholars' Circle, Braiding Knowledge Systems).

Cumulative impact metrics cited by the organization include 220 student trainings delivered, 60+ R&D pilot projects completed or underway, 800+ research and technical publications produced, 6 long-term water advisories lifted in First Nations communities, 50+ partner organizations engaged, and a 30% cost reduction on water-health systems achieved through the methodology. Community Circle is governed by a board chaired by Irving Leblanc (civil engineer, former Assembly of First Nations Director of Infrastructure, elected International Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering in 2025), with Keyvan Maleki as CEO (AI specialization, Imperial College London) and Madjid Mohseni, UBC Professor of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering, as Scientific Director.

Name

Community Circle

Legal name

Community Circle

Website

https://communitycircle.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Community Circle is a Canadian federal not-for-profit center of excellence that co-innovates sustainable water health solutions with Indigenous and rural communities via its trademarked five-phase methodology, OWL training platform, and Mobile Research Labs, funded under a 'pay for success' government and private grant model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Health Services and Community Co-Innovation

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Civic and Social Organizations (81341)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Justice & Community Environmental Health (BPAGAGAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH), Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement (BPADALAO)

Keywords

• Water health solutions
• Indigenous water services
• Community-led innovation
• Water operator training
• Mobile water research

Headquarters

HQ city

Delta

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Pay for Success Model: Community Circle operates on a 'pay for success' model. Funders contribute to Community Circle for identifying and developing novel water health solutions for at-risk communities. Once viability is demonstrated, capital and operational costs are provided by government (for First Nations communities) or grants (for non-First Nations communities). Community Circle also supports partner communities with grant application development. Success is measured by government agencies, community-defined value, and feedback from recipients, communities, and funders. Major funding comes from both private and public sectors including provincial and federal governments and private donors.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Community Circle is an independent federal not-for-profit center of excellence that co-innovates sustainable water health solutions with Indigenous and rural communities. Its offerings include the Operators' Walkthrough Lab (OWL) digital training platform, Mobile Research Labs featuring multiple water treatment technologies, the trademarked Community Circle™ five-phase co-innovation methodology, and programs across Pipeline-Building, Technology, and Policy & Regulation focus areas. The organization operates on a 'pay for success' funding model with government and grant support, providing collaborative building, team development, solution integration, and program administration services.

Product overview

Community Circle is a not-for-profit organization that operates as a platform-plus-programs model focused on co-innovating sustainable water health solutions with Indigenous and rural communities. The core offerings include the Operators' Walkthrough Lab (OWL), a next-gen training platform built on Unity for drinking water disinfection training available across iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows; Mobile Research Labs with virtual tours via Matterport featuring water treatment technologies; the Community Circle™ trademarked five-phase methodology; and various programs spanning Pipeline-Building, Technology, and Policy & Regulation focus areas including Youth K-12 Engagement, Indigenous Scholars' Circle, Braiding Knowledge Systems, Mobilizing Symphony, Treading Water, Open Circle Series, Design for People, and Anchor Centres. Services include Collaborative Building, Team Development, Solution Integration, and Program Administration. The organization also provides publications and resources on water health equity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Operators' Walkthrough Lab (OWL): A next-gen training platform designed for real-world understanding of drinking water disinfection approaches for Indigenous and rural communities, including system design and operation.
• Climate Play

Products and services

• Operators' Walkthrough Lab (OWL) A next-generation digital training platform built on Unity by Transform Interactive, designed to convey real-world understanding of drinking water disinfection approaches including system design and operation. Available as a free app on iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows, targeting water operators, communities, youth, students, professional associations, educational institutions, and regulatory agencies.
• Mobile Research Labs Advanced mobile labs on wheels featuring a wide range of water treatment options including filtration, ion exchange, activated carbon absorption, and both conventional and vacuum UV treatments. Used as a platform for questioning solution options, assumptions, and implications, functioning as a communication tool for reframing problems and enhancing design. Includes virtual tours via Matterport.
• Community Circle™ Methodology An award-winning, trademarked, iterative problem-solving approach comprising a five-phase methodology (Awakening, Discovery, Story, Engagement, Rewards & Risk) for co-innovating sustainable water health solutions with Indigenous and rural communities.
• Collaborative Building Service Service that brings together partners to create science, technology, and innovation ecosystems that solve unique Indigenous water-health challenges and improve community economic well-being.
• Team Development Service Service developing 'project fusion teams' to help with community technology adoption through four key stages: problem identification, requirements building, solution exploration and piloting, and supplier selection.
• Solution Integration Service Service that integrates solution technology, regulatory compliance, and operation onto one digital platform for a comprehensive resource that helps ensure the long-term sustainability of water-health solutions.
• Program Administration Service Service administering a range of innovative programs designed to bring people together to address the many facets of water-health in Indigenous and rural communities.
• Anchor Centres Program Program engaging 15 Indigenous 'anchor' communities from different regions selected based on water health challenges, willingness to participate, and ability to become ambassadors for the Community Circle process. Functions as frontline innovation platforms utilizing the strategic co-innovation model.
• First Nations Water Systems Locator An interactive map showing First Nations water systems in British Columbia and Yukon, with the goal of creating a peer network directory so water operators can share and learn best practices.
• Indigenous Scholars' Circle Program bringing together members from First Nations and Indigenous communities across Canada to capture insights of knowledge keepers and domain experts, providing a framework to guide Canada in formulating water policies that create value for Indigenous communities.
• Climate Play A national verbatim theatre project that weaves together real voices from eight communities across Canada into one national story about climate, land, and shared future. Created by Yvette Nolan, Joel Bernbaum, and Climate Play Artists with Community Circle.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30% cost reduction of water-health systems
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CAISICcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 January 2026Community Circle joined CAISIC as a founding member in January 2026, participating in Canada's AI strategy and digital research ecosystem for rural and Indigenous communities.
• Carollo EngineerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarollo Engineers serves as the lead partner in collaboration with Community Circle and Veolia Water Technologies on the Osoyoos surface water treatment pilot project for the Town of Osoyoos, British Columbia. Carollo brings engineering expertise as the lead on the plot study.
• Veolia Water TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeolia Water Technologies collaborates with Community Circle and Carollo Engineers on the Osoyoos surface water treatment pilot project, bringing water treatment technology expertise.
• Water for People CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater for People Canada is a funding and implementation partner in the Decentralized Water Systems - Safe Access & Maintenance Training Initiative, which focuses on improving water system safety and maintenance in rural First Nations communities in Manitoba, with initial implementation in Norway House Cree Nation.
• Norway House Cree NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorway House Cree Nation is the community partner for the Decentralized Water Systems - Safe Access & Maintenance Training Initiative, focusing on improving water system safety and maintenance through a program encompassing assessment, customized training development, community awareness campaigns, and hands-on training workshops.
• Climate Play ArtistsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClimate Play Artists (Yvette Nolan, Joel Bernbaum and Climate Play Artists) created the national verbatim theatre project 'Climate Play' with Community Circle, which weaves together real voices from eight communities across Canada into a national story about climate, land, and shared future.
• Indigenous Services CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous Services Canada partnered with Community Circle to create the Operators' Walkthrough Lab (OWL) and supports various water health initiatives. Ted Molyneux, Senior Water and Wastewater Engineer at Indigenous Services Canada, serves on Community Circle's Board of Directors.
• Transform InteractivecoreTechnology or IntegrationTransform Interactive is the industry collaborating partner that compiled and built the OWL (Operators' Walkthrough Lab) training platform using Unity, making it available on smartphones (iOS and Android) and Windows and Mac computers.
• University of British Columbia (UBC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUBC collaborates with Community Circle on the Osoyoos surface water treatment pilot project and other initiatives. Madjid Mohseni, Professor of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering at UBC, serves as Scientific Director of Community Circle.
• Yukon UniversityminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerYukon University piloted the OWL AR apps for virtual walkthroughs of water treatment plants in 2020 to support operator training and design accuracy.
• Canadore CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Circle signed a five-year collaboration agreement with Canadore College in 2024 to foster new opportunities for joint community-driven infrastructure projects in water, sanitation, food, health, and education. The first activity is the Mobilizing Clean Water! stream at Canadore's Innovation Challenge.
• 50+ Partner Organizations (Governments, Industries, NGOs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Circle partners with more than 50 experts from national and international governments, industries, and NGOs, categorized into Government Agencies, Local Communities, Small-Medium Enterprises, and Scientific Communities.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Veolia Water Technologies: Global water technology provider; collaborator with Community Circle on Osoyoos pilot. Overlaps in water-treatment focus for underserved communities but operates at vastly different scale as a commercial enterprise.
• charity: water: Large global NFP funding clean water projects in developing regions. Mission-aligned and structurally similar, though operating internationally rather than Indigenous-focused.
• Carollo Engineers: Large North American water/wastewater engineering firm; lead partner on the Osoyoos pilot with Community Circle. Overlaps in delivering water infrastructure to communities.
• WSP Global / WSP Canada: Global consulting engineering firm recognized for insulated sea-container water solutions in remote First Nations communities. Directly comparable in remote-community water delivery.
• Thirst Foundation / Thirst Project: Large water-focused NFP delivering clean water through community-built infrastructure globally. Comparable in model of donor-funded, community-led water programs.

Direct peers

• WaterAid Canada: Water-focused not-for-profit working on safe water access for marginalized communities, including Indigenous populations. Direct peer in mission and beneficiary profile.
• WaterFirst Education & Training Centre: Not-for-profit focused on training Indigenous water operators in Canada. Most direct peer in Indigenous drinking-water operator training and community engagement.
• Water for People Canada: Global NFP ensuring lasting access to safe water and sanitation. Community Circle is already a partner; comparable in mission and 'pay for success' style programming.

Emerging players

• Engineers Without Borders Canada: Canadian NFP using engineering and innovation for community development, including Indigenous communities. Overlaps in mission, talent pool, and partnership structure.

Others

• Indigenous Services Canada (ISC): Federal department funding and administering programs for First Nations water infrastructure. Operates in the same beneficiary space; Community Circle partners with ISC but they are not a competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CommunityCir
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@communitycircle
• Facebookfacebook.com/communitycir
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thecommunitycircle

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Community Circle