Blue Sky Net
Blue Sky Net (Blue Sky Economic Growth Corporation) is a North Bay, Ontario-based non-profit that facilitates sustainable broadband deployment, GIS-based infrastructure mapping, and ICT adoption across Northern Ontario, serving municipalities, Indigenous communities, ISPs, SMEs, and governments through free public data products.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersNorth Bay, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Blue Sky Net does
Blue Sky Net, legally Blue Sky Economic Growth Corporation, is a not-for-profit organization incorporated in 2002 and headquartered in North Bay, Ontario. The organization facilitates sustainable broadband deployment, GIS-based infrastructure mapping, and ICT adoption across Northern Ontario, serving municipalities, Indigenous communities, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and federal/provincial policy makers. All services, data products, and tools are provided at no charge, and the organization operates with a small core staff of approximately five people. Blue Sky Net's mission, as stated publicly, recognizes that digital connectivity is essential and that it must be delivered collaboratively.
The organization's core technology stack centers on BAIMAP, a proprietary GIS application that maps broadband infrastructure down to the property-parcel level across Northern Ontario, integrating ISED National Broadband Data, Census Canada community data, Ontario Connects project data, and aggregated CIRA Internet Performance Test results. These capabilities are delivered publicly through Connectednorth.ca (re-launched June 2021), the Ontario Internet Access Map (OIAM) built on Esri's ArcGIS Experience platform, the Ontario Broadband Resource Hub (launched December 2023), and the ISP Search Tool. Adjacent offerings include the Tech-Talk Newsletter (distributed via Mailchimp), the annual Northern Ontario Broadband Reports, and a Municipal GIS Partnership serving 23 Northern Ontario municipalities (including a road traffic counter loan program using Trax Apollyon hardware and STARnext software).
Blue Sky Net's revenue model is entirely grant-based. Recurring operational funding comes from FedNor's Northern Ontario Development Program (most recently $1,034,050 over three years, announced January 2024), while project-level funding has historically flowed through the federal Universal Broadband Fund (e.g., $269,000 for Wahnapitae First Nation, January 2021) and the Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure (e.g., $267,473 for the Township of Chisholm tower project, January 2021). The organization has previously administered grant programs including the Northern Tech Accelerator Program (NTAP), the Covid-19 Technology Adoption Fund (CTAF), and the Business Technology Innovation Fund (BTIF), although NTAP funding is now exhausted. Distribution occurs via direct engagement with municipalities, First Nations, and ISPs; self-service web portals; and a partner ecosystem spanning five Northern Ontario ICTNs, Community Futures Development Corporations, Regional Innovation Centres, and Small Business Enterprise Centres.
Blue Sky Net firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Blue Sky Net
- Legal name
- Blue Sky Economic Growth Corporation
- Website
- https://blueskynet.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Blue Sky Net (Blue Sky Economic Growth Corporation) is a North Bay, Ontario-based non-profit that facilitates sustainable broadband deployment, GIS-based infrastructure mapping, and ICT adoption across Northern Ontario, serving municipalities, Indigenous communities, ISPs, SMEs, and governments through free public data products.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Blue Sky Net is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- North Bay
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Blue Sky Net business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Federal Government Operational Grants (FedNor): Multi-year operational funding from FedNor's Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP). January 2024 announcement of $1,034,050 over three years for ongoing operations and ICT activities. Since 2015, FedNor has provided more than $314M in NODP funding to support 894 projects across Northern Ontario. Recurring grant-based funding tied to government program cycles.
- Administered Grant Programs (CTAF, BTIF, NTAP): Between 2020-2023, Blue Sky Net administered the Covid-19 Technology Adoption Fund (CTAF) and the Business Technology Innovation Fund (BTIF), both funded by FedNor. Also administered the Northern Tech Accelerator Program (NTAP) which connected Northern Ontario SMEs with approved ICT vendors. NTAP grant funding is now exhausted.
- Broadband Infrastructure Project Facilitation: Facilitates broadband infrastructure projects in Northern Ontario by identifying demand, conducting tendering, partnering with ISPs (e.g., Spectrum Group/Telecom), writing funding applications to UBF/CRTC/ICON/Ministry of Infrastructure, and managing funding allocations. Recent example: $267,473 Ministry of Infrastructure grant for Chisholm internet towers (total project $424,560). Not direct revenue but enables funded project work.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Blue Sky Net product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Blue Sky Net (legally Blue Sky Economic Growth Corporation) is a non-profit organization that facilitates sustainable broadband deployment across Northern Ontario by maintaining GIS-based broadband mapping platforms (BAIMAP, OIAM, Connectednorth.ca), administering government grant programs for SME digital adoption, and coordinating broadband infrastructure projects between municipalities, Indigenous communities, and Internet Service Providers. Its core deliverables include broadband coverage data, open data resources, funding application support, ICT training programs, and convening stakeholder workshops across 23 partner municipalities.
Product overview
Blue Sky Net (legally Blue Sky Economic Growth Corporation / BSEGC) is a non-profit organization based in North Bay, Ontario since 2002 that operates a portfolio of broadband-advocacy, GIS-mapping, and digital-adoption products rather than a single unified SaaS product. Its core public-facing product is Connectednorth.ca — the umbrella portal that hosts the Ontario Internet Access Map (OIAM), the Ontario Broadband Report tool, and the CIRA Internet Performance Test integration — used to map and report on broadband availability across Northern Ontario. Behind the scenes, BAIMAP is the internal GIS analysis tool that feeds the public products and produces the annual Northern Ontario Broadband Reports, while the Ontario Broadband Resource Hub (launched December 2023) extends the same data into a downloadable open-data hub. Adjacent offerings include the Municipal GIS Projects partnership (with 23 municipalities and a road traffic counter lending program), the now-closed Northern Tech Accelerator Program (NTAP) grant, the ISP Search Tool, and the Tech-Talk Newsletter distributed via Mailchimp.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Connectednorth.ca Public-facing broadband service availability portal for Northern Ontario maintained by Blue Sky Net. Presents broadband coverage and speed information mapped down to the property/address level, hosts the Ontario Internet Access Map, the Ontario Broadband Report tool, and the integrated CIRA Internet Performance Test for collecting speed test data. Available free to Northern Ontario residents, businesses, communities, ISPs, and researchers.
- Ontario Internet Access Map (OIAM) Interactive GIS map built on Esri's ArcGIS Experience platform embedded in connectednorth.ca. Displays federal broadband availability, federally and provincially announced broadband projects, ISP listings by region, and aggregated CIRA Internet Performance Test data down to the neighbourhood level across Ontario. Available free to the public.
- BAIMAP (Broadband and Associated Infrastructure Mapping Analysis Project)
- Ontario Broadband Resource Hub Open data repository launched December 2023 containing shapefiles, static and interactive maps, data resources, and reports specific to Northern Ontario and Ontario-wide broadband coverage, including quick reporting tools for communities and regional districts. Includes in-house GIS open data sets, links to external agency/organization GIS open data, and links to the Ontario Internet Access Map.
- Municipal GIS Partnership Program Shared GIS infrastructure serving 23 municipalities in Northern Ontario, supporting capital planning, project planning, zoning, permits, maintenance, and health/education/lifestyle planning. Includes a road traffic counter loan program (Spring/Summer/Fall) with Trax Apollyon hardware and STARnext software integration.
- Northern Tech Accelerator Program (NTAP) Grant program administered by Blue Sky Net for small and medium-sized businesses in Northern Ontario to adopt digital technologies, with categories including website development, software development and/or integration, cybersecurity, hardware integration, and internal broadband networking, using a pre-approved Northern Ontario vendor list of 30+ vendors. The NTAP grant has exhausted available funds and is no longer accepting applications.
- ISP Search Application GIS map and search application that allows users to find Internet Service Providers who own broadband infrastructure near their specific address, based on ISED hexagonal coverage data showing ISPs within a 25KM area.
- Northern Ontario Broadband Reports (annual research series) Annual research reports published by Blue Sky Net combining ISED National Broadband Data, Census Canada community data, and Ontario Connects broadband project data to analyse broadband availability across Northern Ontario communities, district-by-district and community-by-community. Editions published in 2020, 2023, 2024, and 2026.
- Tech-Talk Newsletter Monthly email newsletter distributed via Mailchimp providing the latest information and communication technology news and tips for business owners in Northern Ontario, with editions archived from at least February 2022 through April 2026.
Quantifiable outcome
- Connected 74 households (including 68 Indigenous households) in Wahnapitae First Nation to high-speed Internet via $269,000 UBF project
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Blue Sky Net
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Blue Sky Net technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature6 records
Blue Sky Net partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Wahnapitae First NationcoreIndigenous community partner on the Universal Broadband Fund Rapid Response project. Blue Sky Net facilitated the $269,000 funding application and partnership with Spectrum Group to deliver fibre-based high-speed Internet to 74 households (including 68 Indigenous households). Chief Larry Roque publicly endorsed the collaboration.
- Spectrum Telecom Group (Spectrum Group)flagshipSpectrum Telecom is Blue Sky Net's primary ISP partner for broadband infrastructure builds. Co-invested $127,368 in the Township of Chisholm tower project (Jan 2021) and partnered on the $269,000 Universal Broadband Fund project to bring high-speed Internet to Wahnapitae First Nation (Jan 2021). Jason Bionda is VP of Broadband Division at Spectrum Group.
- Township of ChisholmcoreMunicipal partner on the two-tower broadband expansion project. Council and staff worked with Blue Sky Net to engage ISPs, brainstorm solutions, and put together the funding application. Township contributed $29,719 (from 2019 Modernization Funding) and committed to ongoing annual contributions to a Broadband Reserve fund created in 2020.
- NEOnetcoreNEOnet is one of five Northern Ontario Information and Communication Technology Networks (ICTNs) collaborating with Blue Sky Net for nearly 20 years (since early 2000s) to connect northern communities. Together with FedNor support, the ICTNs address geographic challenges of Northern Ontario collectively — including the Broadband and Associated Infrastructure Mapping Analysis Project (BAIMAP).
- Parry Sound Muskoka Community NetworkcoreOne of the five Northern Ontario ICTNs collaborating with Blue Sky Net for nearly 20 years to expand broadband infrastructure and ICT access across Northern Ontario.
- Northwestern Ontario Innovation CentrecoreJoined the ICTN consortium in 2012, ensuring there was an ICTN advocate for every region of Northern Ontario. Director of ICT Jeff Coull referenced re: $6 million Northern Ontario Backhaul and Fixed Wireless Project (30 sites across Northwestern Ontario).
- Sault Ste. Marie Innovation CentrecoreJoined the ICTN consortium in 2012. Led TechEdge Algoma program — a community-based partnership involving district school boards and post-secondary institutions to bridge the gap between education, training and industry ICT needs. Susan George serves as ICT Sector Lead at SSMIC.
- CIRA (Canadian Internet Registration Authority)coreCIRA operates the Internet Performance Test (IPT) and BSN/connectednorth.ca partnered with CIRA to collect detailed Northern Ontario internet speed data via a custom-branded municipal testing portal at performance.cira.ca/connectednorth. BSN also displays aggregated IPT data on the OIAM at connectednorth.ca. CIRA has been contracted by ISED to collect national speed test data — BSN calls this 'a more direct linkage to the decision-makers' on the federal level.
- 23 Municipal GIS Partner MunicipalitiescoreBlue Sky Net works with 23 municipalities across Northern Ontario in a GIS partnership to facilitate Geographic Information Systems services including capital planning, project planning, zoning, permits, maintenance, and planning in health/education/lifestyle. Includes a road traffic counter loan program (Spring/Summer/Fall) using Trax Apollyon hardware and STARnext software.
- Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA)minorBSN distributes ROMA's Broadband Connectivity publications — the Municipal Primer and Municipal Roadmap — as part of its community resources, providing municipal elected officials with foundational briefings on regulatory and funding regimes for telecommunications in Canada.
- Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO)minorBSN distributes AMO's Municipal Cyber Security Toolkit to Northern Ontario communities as part of its resources for municipalities.
- Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs)coreBSN distributes resources and referrals through the CFDC network across Northern Ontario, including NECO (North Bay), Economic Partners (Sudbury East/West Nipissing), Nickel Basin (Sudbury), Lambac (Gore Bay), Waubetek (Birch Island), and many others spanning both Northeastern and Northwestern Ontario.
- Regional Innovation Centres (Northern Ontario)coreBSN partners with Innovation Initiatives Ontario North (North Bay), NORCAT Innovation (Sudbury), Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre (Thunder Bay), and Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre to refer SMEs to innovation and technology programming.
- Small Business Enterprise Centres (Northern Ontario)coreBSN distributes business technology resources through SBECs including The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound, Regional Business Centre (Sudbury), Muskoka Small Business Centre, Enterprise Temiskaming, Business Enterprise Centre (Timmins), Millworks Centre for Entrepreneurship (Sault Ste. Marie), Thunder Bay and District Entrepreneur Centre, and Northwest Business Centre (Kenora).
- Digital Main StreetminorDigital Main Street assists main street Ontario businesses with adoption of technology through easy-to-use tools, resources, and grants — BSN refers SMEs to this program as part of its resources for businesses.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Blue Sky Net competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Community Futures Ontario: Provincial network of Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) that BSN partners with for SME referrals across Northern Ontario. Comparable as a non-profit rural economic-development ecosystem serving similar geography, but focused on lending and business services rather than broadband.
Direct peers
- Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre: One of the five Northern Ontario ICTNs and a BSN collaboration partner since 2012. Comparable as a regional innovation and ICT intermediary in Northwestern Ontario, overlapping with BSN on broadband expansion and SME digital adoption.
- Parry Sound Muskoka Community Network: Another of the five Northern Ontario ICTNs and a long-standing BSN collaborator. Directly comparable as a regional non-profit ICT development organization serving a defined Northern Ontario catchment with overlapping broadband-advocacy and digital-adoption programming.
- Connected Nation (US): US-based non-profit focused on broadband mapping, research, and access advocacy for underserved communities. Closest international analogue to BSN's BAIMAP/OIAM broadband-mapping mandate and digital-divide policy work.
- NEOnet: One of the five Northern Ontario Information and Communication Technology Networks (ICTNs) that collaborate with Blue Sky Net on broadband and ICT initiatives. Directly comparable in mandate (ICT advocacy, broadband facilitation, SME digital adoption) and operates in an adjacent Northern Ontario geography (Northeastern Ontario).
- Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre: Fifth of the Northern Ontario ICTNs collaborating with BSN. Comparable as an Algoma-region ICT intermediary running programs like TechEdge Algoma that bridge education and ICT careers, overlapping with BSN's 'Improve Knowledge' pillar.
- Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN): A Canadian non-profit initiative improving broadband access and cellular coverage across Eastern Ontario. Functionally comparable to BSN's BAIMAP and broadband facilitation role, but operating in Eastern Ontario rather than Northern Ontario, making it both a direct model and a regional analogue.
Regional players
- NORCAT: Sudbury-based Regional Innovation Centre and BSN ecosystem partner. Comparable as a Northern Ontario innovation intermediary serving SMEs and technology adoption, but with a broader technology/innovation mandate beyond broadband.
- Innovation Initiatives Ontario North: North Bay Regional Innovation Centre and BSN distribution partner. Comparable as a Northern Ontario economic development and innovation intermediary supporting SMEs and entrepreneurs, sharing North Bay as a base.
Broad incumbents
- CIRA (Canadian Internet Registration Authority): .ca registry operator and operator of the Canadian Internet Performance Test. BSN's technology partner and a broader incumbent in the Canadian internet ecosystem whose IPT data feeds BSN's OIAM. Comparable in mandate (Canadian internet quality advocacy and data) but operates nationally rather than regionally.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Blue Sky Net social profiles
Digital presenceBlue Sky Net financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Blue Sky Net leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Blue Sky Net subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Blue Sky Net funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Blue Sky Net 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 Blue Sky Net
What does Blue Sky Net do?
Blue Sky Net (legally Blue Sky Economic Growth Corporation) is a non-profit organization that facilitates sustainable broadband deployment across Northern Ontario by maintaining GIS-based broadband mapping platforms (BAIMAP, OIAM, Connectednorth.ca), administering government grant programs for SME digital adoption, and coordinating broadband infrastructure projects between municipalities, Indigenous communities, and Internet Service Providers. Its core deliverables include broadband coverage data, open data resources, funding application support, ICT training programs, and convening stakeholder workshops across 23 partner municipalities.
Is Blue Sky Net a public or private company?
Blue Sky Net is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Blue Sky Net founded?
Blue Sky Net was founded in 2002. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Blue Sky Net based?
Blue Sky Net is headquartered in North Bay, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Blue Sky Net make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Federal Government Operational Grants (FedNor) is the primary driver. The others are administered Grant Programs (CTAF, BTIF, NTAP) and broadband Infrastructure Project Facilitation.
Who are Blue Sky Net's main competitors?
Community Futures Ontario is listed as an others. Direct peers are Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre, Parry Sound Muskoka Community Network, Connected Nation (US), NEOnet, Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre and Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN). Regional players are NORCAT and Innovation Initiatives Ontario North. CIRA (Canadian Internet Registration Authority) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Blue Sky Net have an API?
No public API is recorded for Blue Sky Net.