What Smart Prosperity Institute does

Smart Prosperity Institute is a Canadian non-profit research network and policy think tank hosted at the University of Ottawa. It delivers policy-relevant research, briefs, and convenings aimed at advancing a 'stronger, cleaner economy', with active portfolios in sustainable agriculture and agri-food systems, green skills and labour transitions (zero-emissions vehicles, plant-based protein, mass timber, climate adaptation workforce), sustainable finance (taxonomies, climate transition plans, nature-related financial disclosures), circular economy, and nature-based solutions. Its outputs include peer-quality reports, policy briefs, infographics (e.g., the Skills Ecosystem model), interactive tools (the Global Sustainable Finance Taxonomy Tracker), webinars, and the annual Economics and Environmental Policy Research Network (EEPRN) Symposium; all research outputs are distributed free of charge with no registration required.

The institute does not market proprietary software or a technology platform. Its principal 'products' are research reports and convening infrastructure (EEPRN, parliamentary testimony, multi-stakeholder workshops). Its revenue model is grant-based and project-funded, drawing on three streams: (1) Canadian federal department grants and commissioned research (ECCC, NRCan CCAP, AAFC, SSHRC, Public Health Agency of Canada); (2) philanthropic and intermediary funding (Future Skills Centre, Scotiabank Climate Action Research Fund); and (3) commissioned research from private-sector and ENGO partners (Co-operators, Nature United, Farmers for Climate Solutions, National Zero Waste Council, NGen). Customer segments are primarily federal, provincial, and municipal policymakers, alongside agriculture and agri-food sector stakeholders, clean-economy employers and workers, and a broader academic and ENGO research network spanning every Canadian province and territory.

Name

Smart Prosperity Institute

Legal name

Smart Prosperity Institute

Website

https://institute.smartprosperity.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Smart Prosperity Institute is a Canadian non-profit policy think tank hosted at the University of Ottawa that delivers research, policy briefs, and convenings on sustainable agriculture, clean-economy skills, sustainable finance, and nature-based solutions for Canadian policymakers and partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Policy Research Services

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

akta.pro primary industry

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG)

Keywords

• Clean economy policy research
• Sustainable finance research
• Environmental policy think tank
• Agricultural sustainability policy
• Green skills research

Headquarters

HQ city

Ottawa

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government grants and commissioned research: Funded through grants and commissioned research from federal departments and agencies, including Environment and Climate Change Canada, Natural Resources Canada's Climate Change Adaptation Program (CCAP), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). The 2026 EEPRN Symposium and the new adaptation workforce research are explicitly funded this way.
2. Private sector research partnerships: Co-funded research with private-sector partners such as the Scotiabank Climate Action Research Fund (supporting the on-farm risk-management pilots with Farmers for Climate Solutions and the Nature Investment Hub) and Co-operators (supporting the carbon offsets for farmers guide).
3. Philanthropic/non-profit program funding: Multi-year program funding from non-profit intermediaries such as the Future Skills Centre, which has supported the 18-month green skills research program (ZEVs, plant-based protein, mass timber) and the related 'Planning for sustainable jobs 101' guide.
4. Commissioned research reports for partner organizations: Research contracts to produce reports for partners such as the National Zero Waste Council, Guelph-Wellington's Our Food Future, NGen (Canada's Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster), and Nature United (the Unlocking the Economic Power of Natural Climate Solutions report).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Smart Prosperity Institute is a national research network and policy think tank that delivers commissioned policy research, policy briefs, and expert testimony on the clean economy, sustainable finance, climate adaptation, sustainable agriculture, and green skills. It produces free, open-access research reports, interactive tools (including the Global Sustainable Finance Taxonomy Tracker), and stakeholder convening events such as the annual EEPRN Symposium. Its work targets government policymakers, ENGOs, industry, and academia across Canada.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Global Sustainable Finance Taxonomy Tracker An interactive web-based tool that maps the rapidly evolving global landscape of sustainable finance taxonomies. It is available as a multimedia resource on the SPI website for policymakers, financial institutions, and researchers.
• Growing in a Riskier World Report A research report exploring new insurance tools for Canadian agriculture, including Best Management Practices insurance and sustainability-linked loans, and on-farm innovation. It is aimed at government policymakers, farmers, agri-food businesses, and financial institutions.
• Mass Timber Skills & Workforce Reports (British Columbia) A three-report series published by SPI with support from the Future Skills Centre that identifies the skills and workforce needs of BC's growing mass timber sector, evaluates readiness of workers and policies in Northern BC, and provides a summary for policymakers. It is intended for policymakers, training providers, employers, and workers in BC's mass timber industry.
• Plant-Based Protein Skills & Workforce Reports (Manitoba and Saskatchewan) A three-report series published by SPI with support from the Future Skills Centre that examines labour and skills shortages in plant-based protein agriculture and food manufacturing in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. It provides recommendations for educational institutions, federal policymakers, communities, and businesses, and includes a summary for policymakers.
• ZEV & Battery Manufacturing Skills Reports (Ontario) A three-report series published by SPI with support from the Future Skills Centre that examines Ontario's push to manufacturing zero-emissions vehicles and its impact on the workforce. It includes support for the auto sector workforce through the ZEV transition and a summary for policymakers.
• Planning for Sustainable Jobs 101 Guide A how-to guide for groups leading and supporting green labour and skills transitions, published with support from the Future Skills Centre. It synthesizes findings from SPI's ZEV, plant-based protein, and mass timber sector research combined with international case studies.
• The Case for Nature-related Financial Disclosures in Canada A research report making the case for nature-related financial disclosures in Canada, arguing that integrating nature into financial decision-making is essential to Canada's economic resilience. It is targeted at financial institutions, regulators, and policymakers.
• The Credibility Imperative: Building "Made-in-Canada" Climate Transition Plans A research paper translating global principles on climate transition plans into Canadian practice. It is targeted at financial institutions, corporate sustainability leaders, and policymakers.
• Circular Food Solutions in Canada Landscape Scan A landscape scan report compiled by SPI for the National Zero Waste Council, Guelph-Wellington's Our Food Future, and NGen: Canada's Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster, as part of Circular Economy Leadership Canada's CE Solution Series. It maps circular food systems across Canada.
• Efficient Nitrogen Fertilizer Management Report A research report identifying novel policy options (behavioral economics, BMP insurance schemes, modified business risk management programs) for efficient nitrogen fertilizer management to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions in Ontario and Prince Edward Island.
• Clean Growth in Canada's Agriculture and Agri-food Sector Report A research report exploring promising policy options to motivate the adoption of environmentally beneficial management practices and increase clean technology deployment across Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector.
• Submission to the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry A written policy submission to the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry on how sustainability and resilience are key to Canada's food security, accompanied by expert witness testimony from SPI's Executive Director and Director of Nature Economies.
• Skills Ecosystem Model Infographic An infographic describing the Skills Ecosystem Model of Skills Development, mapping the roles of employers, learners, education and training providers, unions, coordinating bodies, and policymakers in Canada's green skills transition. It builds on SPI's regional studies on ZEV, plant-based protein, and mass timber sectors.
• Unlocking the Economic Power of Natural Climate Solutions Report A research report co-authored by SPI, the Nature Investment Hub, and Nature United evaluating the economics of on-farm nature-based solutions in Canada. It is aimed at policymakers, farmers, and financial institutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 300,000 new green jobs projected by 2030 (from 'Ready for Green Jobs' report)
• +5 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• University of OttawaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmart Prosperity Institute is hosted at the University of Ottawa. Its Executive Director (Dr. Geoff McCarney) is also Director of the Institute of the Environment at uOttawa. The 2026 EEPRN Symposium was held at uOttawa's Alex Trebek Alumni Hall, and uOttawa researchers (Nubi Afolasade, Katharine Mullock) present at SPI events.
• Future Skills CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-year programmatic partner for SPI's green skills research, including the 18-month studies on ZEVs (Ontario), plant-based protein (Manitoba/Saskatchewan), mass timber (BC), the 'Ready for Green Jobs' report, and the 'Planning for sustainable jobs 101' guide.
• Farmers for Climate SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint de-risking project to develop risk-management tools (production guarantees, BMP insurance, sustainability-linked loans) that help Canadian farmers trial climate-smart practices. Includes the first Split Nitrogen Application Profit Guarantee Pilot in Ontario, supported by the Scotiabank Climate Action Research Fund.
• Nature Investment HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developer with SPI of the de-risking project for farmers and a co-author of the 'Unlocking the Economic Power of Natural Climate Solutions' report (with Nature United).
• Nature UnitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-author with SPI and the Nature Investment Hub of 'Unlocking the Economic Power of Natural Climate Solutions', a report evaluating the economics of on-farm nature-based solutions.
• Generate CanadaflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-running collaboration partner; SPI explicitly collaborates with Generate Canada to advance a shared vision of 'a strong and inclusive Canadian economy that thrives within nature's limits'.
• National Zero Waste CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned SPI to deliver the 'Circular Food Solutions in Canada: A Coast to Coast Landscape Scan' report as part of Circular Economy Leadership Canada's CE Solution Series and the Circular Food Systems work stream.
• Guelph-Wellington's Our Food FutureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-commissioner of the 'Circular Food Solutions in Canada' landscape scan report.
• NGen: Canada's Advanced Manufacturing SuperclusterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-commissioner of the 'Circular Food Solutions in Canada' landscape scan report (part of the Circular Economy Leadership Canada CE Solution Series).
• Co-operatorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner with SPI for the 'Carbon Offsets for Farmers' guide to Canadian agricultural carbon markets.
• Canadian Alliance for Net-Zero Agri-food (CANZA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive research collaboration; SPI supports CANZA's Million Acre Challenge with research on MMRV accessibility and soil carbon measurement for farmers.
• Missing Middle InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint publication partner with SPI on 'The Politics of Infill Housing: What 15 Years of Planning Decisions Reveal' — a study of 4,059 planning committee decisions in London, Ontario.

Scale indicators13 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pembina Institute: Long-standing Canadian clean-economy policy think tank delivering independent research and policy advice on energy, climate, and sustainable finance. Closest direct peer to SPI given overlapping federal advisory role, multi-vertical scope, and similar non-profit, evidence-based model.
• Clean Energy Canada: Canadian clean-energy policy think tank focused on accelerating the transition to a clean economy through research, policy advice, and public engagement. Comparable to SPI's clean-economy and sustainable-jobs portfolio.
• International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD): Winnipeg-headquartered policy research organization with a global mandate on sustainable development, climate adaptation, and resilient agriculture. Comparable on multi-vertical clean-economy research and government advisory model, with broader international scope.
• Institute for Sustainable Finance: Queen's University-based research and policy hub on sustainable finance. Closely comparable to SPI's Sustainable Finance Policy and Practice team, including work on taxonomies, transition planning, and blended finance.
• Canada Climate Institute: Ottawa-based national climate policy research organization producing independent analysis to inform Canada's path to net-zero. Directly comparable to SPI on federal policy advisory role and clean-economy research mandate.

Regional players

• Smart Growth America: U.S.-based coalition advancing policies for sustainable, equitable, and economically productive land use. Comparable to SPI on evidence-based policy research and convening role, but operates in a different geography and a narrower built-environment focus.
• C.D. Howe Institute: Toronto-based national policy research organization producing independent analysis on economic and public policy issues. Comparable on the Canadian independent-think-tank model and federal policy advisory role, though with a broader economic (not climate-specific) mandate.

Broad incumbents

• Environmental Defence Canada: Canadian environmental advocacy organization working on climate, biodiversity, and human health policy. Comparable on the Canadian environmental-policy engagement model and federal advisory role, though with more advocacy weight than SPI.
• David Suzuki Foundation: Established Canadian environmental advocacy organization combining research, policy engagement, and public campaigns. Comparable on environmental policy research and convening capacity, though with a more advocacy-led posture than SPI's evidence-first model.

Emerging players

• Farmers for Climate Solutions: Canadian farmer-led coalition advancing climate solutions in agriculture. Comparable to SPI's Sustainable Agriculture portfolio and a direct co-development partner on the de-risking project, though organized as a farmer coalition rather than a research institute.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sustainable-prosperity-sp-
• Xx.com/sp_inst

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

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 Smart Prosperity Institute