Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)
SAIT is a publicly funded post-secondary technical institute in Calgary, Alberta, established in 1916, serving 40,000 students annually across 8-9 schools and 1,000+ career pathways. It offers degrees, diplomas, certificates, apprenticeships, and corporate training, funded by tuition (domestic and international), government grants, and philanthropy.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1916
- HeadquartersCalgary, Canada
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) does
SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology) is a publicly funded post-secondary technical institute established in 1916 in Calgary, Alberta, operating under the Government of Alberta's mandate. It is the first publicly funded technical school in North America and serves approximately 40,000 students annually across more than 1,000 career pathways, with 274,000+ alumni since founding. The institution offers baccalaureate and applied degree programs, diplomas, certificates, apprenticeships, and over 550 continuing education and corporate training courses, organized through 8-9 academic schools covering business, energy, health, hospitality, construction, manufacturing, transportation, and digital technology.
The core technology stack is built on Microsoft 365 for productivity and authentication (via Microsoft Entra ID) and Brightspace (D2L) as the primary learning management system for online course delivery. Specialized proprietary facilities include the SAIT Downtown Cyber Range for cybersecurity simulation training, the CIRUS Remotely Piloted Aviation Training Centre (Canada's first heavy-lift/BVLOS RPAS facility), the Green Building Technology Access Centre (GBTAC), and advanced manufacturing and energy research labs. AI/ML capabilities are limited to third-party tool deployment (Microsoft Copilot Chat, LinkedIn Learning) and curriculum offerings in data science and AI, with no disclosed proprietary AI research or in-house model development.
SAIT's revenue model combines domestic and international student tuition (the latter generating $670M CAD in 2023-24, up from $362M in 2020-21), federal and provincial government funding (provincial funding declined 10% over five years), corporate training programs (including the Mastercard-funded Cybersecurity Learning Collective), and philanthropic gifts (including a $30M gift from David Bissett). GTM motion is direct-to-consumer admissions with industry partnership support for work-integrated learning and applied research. The institution recently cut 30 permanent faculty positions (April 2026) due to declining international enrollment following federal permit cap reductions, signaling near-term revenue pressure offset by continued facility and program expansion.
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)
- Legal name
- Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
- Website
- https://sait.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1916
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- SAIT is a publicly funded post-secondary technical institute in Calgary, Alberta, established in 1916, serving 40,000 students annually across 8-9 schools and 1,000+ career pathways. It offers degrees, diplomas, certificates, apprenticeships, and corporate training, funded by tuition (domestic and international), government grants, and philanthropy.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Post-Secondary Education
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Educational Services (61), Computer Training (611420)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Polytechnic & Applied Sciences Universities (EDAHAEAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Technical Community Colleges (Applied/CTE-Focused) (EDAHADAD), Transfer/University-Parallel Community Colleges (EDAHADAF), Public Research Universities with Comprehensive Graduate & Professional Schools (EDAHAAAF), STEM-Focused Public Research Universities (EDAHAAAE), Technical Universities with Computing, Data & AI Focus (EDAHAEAK), STEM-Focused Technical Universities (EDAHAEAD)
Keywords
Where Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Calgary
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Domestic Student Tuition: Tuition fees from Canadian domestic students enrolled in certificate, diploma, degree, and apprenticeship programs
- International Student Tuition: Higher tuition fees from international students; generated $670 million in 2023-24
- Government Funding: Federal and provincial government funding for education and applied research; provincial funding declined 10% over five years
- Corporate Training: Customized training programs for industry partners and employers including cybersecurity and professional development
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Apprenticeship Tuition |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Residence Application |
| Subscription | Annual | Domestic vs International Tuition |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SAIT is a publicly funded polytechnic offering post-secondary education across nine academic schools, providing baccalaureate and applied degree programs, diplomas, certificates, apprenticeships, and over 550 continuing education and corporate training courses. It serves approximately 40,000 students annually with applied research centers (CIRUS for unmanned systems, GBTAC for green building) and specialized training facilities (Cyber Range, Remotely Piloted Aviation Training Centre).
Product overview
SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology) is a post-secondary educational institution established in 1916, serving approximately 40,000 students annually. The institution offers a comprehensive portfolio of educational products and services organized through nine academic schools (School for Advanced Digital Technology, MacPhail School of Energy, School of Business, School of Health and Public Safety, School of Hospitality and Tourism, School of Construction, School of Manufacturing and Automation, School of Transportation, and Academic Services). SAIT's offerings include baccalaureate and applied degree programs, diplomas, certificates, apprenticeship programs, and over 550 continuing education and corporate training courses. Key products include specialized research centres such as CIRUS (Centre for Innovation and Research in Unmanned Systems) and GBTAC (Green Building Technology Access Centre), facilities like the SAIT Downtown Cyber Range and Remotely Piloted Aviation Training Centre, and the new SAIT Cybersecurity Learning Collective powered by Mastercard. SAIT also operates student athletics (Trojans), esports programs, youth programs, and provides applied research services across four award-winning areas. The institution holds top global rankings in hospitality and business education, with notable recognition from CEOWORLD Magazine and QS University Rankings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SAIT Cybersecurity Learning Collective, powered by Mastercard A 10-week, 80-hour fully funded cybersecurity training course for small businesses, non-profits, and social enterprises in Western Canada. Combines online self-study with live interactive sessions and a one-day Cyber Range simulation exercise at the SAIT Downtown Cyber Range.
- Centre for Innovation and Research in Unmanned Systems (CIRUS) Applied research centre advancing remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS/drones) across multiple industries, including medical supply delivery, wildfire mitigation, and emergency management drone systems.
- Green Building Technology Access Centre (GBTAC) Advancing sustainable and affordable housing solutions through applied research, partnerships, and innovative building practices focused on energy efficiency and carbon reduction. Partnerships include Attainable Homes Calgary Corporation and Nunavut Housing Corporation.
- School for Advanced Digital Technology One of SAIT's academic schools offering programs in cybersecurity, data science and AI, graphic and digital media, information technology, and software development with state-of-the-art labs.
- MacPhail School of Energy SAIT's energy-focused academic school offering programs in electrical, instrumentation, petroleum, process operations, and sustainability.
- School of Business Business and administration programs including accounting, finance, communications, marketing, human resources, leadership, and supply chain management. Ranked #53 on CEOWORLD Magazine's Best Business Schools list (2025).
- School of Health and Public Safety Health sector academic programs including dental, diagnostic imaging, early childhood, emergency care, medical laboratory, vision care, and wellness programs.
- School of Hospitality and Tourism Hospitality and tourism academic programs ranked #1 in Canada, including culinary arts, entrepreneurship, and hospitality management. Ranked #13 globally on CEOWORLD Magazine's list (2025).
- Remotely Piloted Aviation Training Centre Canada's first training centre dedicated to heavy-lift and beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) RPAS training and certification. Operated by CIRUS.
- Continuing Education and Professional Studies Flexible online and in-class courses, certificates, professional development, bootcamps, micro-credentials, international professional certificates, and corporate/group training in business, health, and technical programs. Over 550 offerings.
- Apprenticeship and Trades Programs Skilled trades apprenticeship and journeyperson certification programs with classroom instruction, paid apprenticeship tuition at $1,256 per period plus additional fees, and employer partnerships across trades industries.
- Youth Programs Community outreach, digital programs, dual-credit programs, exploring skilled trades, Indigenous youth programs, and summer camps for youth learners.
- Trojans Esports Competitive and casual esports program featuring teams in Rocket League, League of Legends, Overwatch, Valorant, and recreational gaming, supported by a dedicated Esports studio with 20 Alienware computers with 3080 GPUs.
Companies that use Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Feature2 records
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- MastercardcorePartnership for cybersecurity training program - SAIT Cybersecurity Learning Collective, powered by Mastercard. Provides specialized cybersecurity education and training opportunities.
- Attainable Homes Calgary CorporationcorePartnership for Green Building Technology research and development. Supports applied research in sustainable building practices.
- Nunavut Housing CorporationcorePartnership for Arctic housing strategies research. Supports development of housing solutions for northern communities.
- University of CalgaryminorCollaboration for federal funding for aerospace projects. Joint research and academic partnerships in aerospace sector.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) social profiles
Digital presenceSouthern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) 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 Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)
What does Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) do?
SAIT is a publicly funded polytechnic offering post-secondary education across nine academic schools, providing baccalaureate and applied degree programs, diplomas, certificates, apprenticeships, and over 550 continuing education and corporate training courses. It serves approximately 40,000 students annually with applied research centers (CIRUS for unmanned systems, GBTAC for green building) and specialized training facilities (Cyber Range, Remotely Piloted Aviation Training Centre).
Is Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) a public or private company?
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) founded?
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) was founded in 1916. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) based?
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) is headquartered in Calgary, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Domestic Student Tuition is the primary driver. The others are international Student Tuition, government Funding and corporate Training.
Does Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) have an API?
No public API is recorded for Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT).
What industry is Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in?
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)'s product category is Post-Secondary Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAEAB, Polytechnic & Applied Sciences Universities, with a secondary code of EDAHADAD, Technical Community Colleges (Applied/CTE-Focused). Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.