What CIGI does

CIGI (Centre for International Governance Innovation) is an independent, non-partisan think tank headquartered in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, founded in 2002 by former BlackBerry co-CEO Jim Balsillie. The institution conducts research and convenes policy dialogue on international governance issues with a current strategic emphasis on transformative technologies, including artificial intelligence, digital policy, cybersecurity, and military AI applications.

CIGI operates through multiple flagship research programs, including the Digital Policy Hub, the Global AI Risks Initiative, the Military AI Program, and partnerships such as the IDRC-funded Supporting Safer Digital Spaces initiative. It sustains a global network of more than 100 fellows and a research directorate spanning international law, security, and digital governance. Outputs take the form of policy briefs, working papers, public events, and direct engagement with multilateral fora such as the G7, G20, OECD, and the United Nations.

The organization's business model is endowment-and-grant funded rather than commercial. Revenue is generated from a founding endowment established by Jim Balsillie, supplemented by grants from the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario, and project-specific funding from partners such as IDRC. CIGI does not sell products or services to commercial customers; its 'clients' are policymakers, multilateral institutions, and academic partners who consume its research outputs. The organization employs between 51 and 100 staff and is led by President Paul Samson.

Name

CIGI

Legal name

Centre for International Governance Innovation

Website

https://cigionline.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

CIGI is an independent, non-partisan think tank headquartered in Waterloo, Ontario, founded in 2002 by Jim Balsillie. It conducts policy research on international governance with a current focus on AI, digital policy, cybersecurity, and military AI for governments and multilateral institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Policy Research and International Governance Think Tank Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Policy Research Institutes & Think Tanks (EDADADAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

AI Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Platforms (HDAAAMAA)

Keywords

• Policy research think tank
• International governance analysis
• AI governance research
• Digital policy publications
• Policy fellowships programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Waterloo

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

Revenue model

1. Endowment Funding: CIGI is supported by an endowment from founder Jim Balsillie and the Government of Canada, by the Government of Ontario, and by additional funding sources.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CIGI is an independent, non-partisan think tank that produces peer-reviewed research, policy publications, and convening events on international governance challenges related to transformative technologies including AI, digital economy, cybersecurity, trade, and financial governance. It operates a global expert network of more than 100 fellows, runs fellowship programs such as the Digital Policy Hub and specialized initiatives like the Global AI Risks Initiative and Military AI Program, and hosts conferences, workshops, and policy round tables to influence policy makers and multilateral institutions.

Product overview

CIGI (Centre for International Governance Innovation) is an independent think tank headquartered in Waterloo, Canada, offering a portfolio of research publications, expert analysis services, events, and specialized research programs focused on the governance of transformative technologies. The organization operates through distinct programs including the Digital Policy Hub (fellowship program), Global AI Risks Initiative, Global Economic Scenarios, Waterloo Security Dialogue, Military AI Program, and Supporting Safer Digital Spaces initiative. CIGI's core offerings consist of peer-reviewed publications (papers, policy briefs, essays, special reports), expert network services, conferences and events, and multimedia content — all addressing international governance challenges related to AI, digital policy, cybersecurity, trade, and emerging technologies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Research Publications Peer-reviewed papers, special reports, policy briefs, essays, and conference reports covering AI governance, digital policy, cybersecurity, trade, financial governance, platform governance, and international governance, made available free of charge to policy makers, researchers, and the public through cigionline.org.
• Events and Conferences Conferences, workshops, policy round tables, panels, and seminars convened by CIGI in Waterloo and globally to address international governance challenges and transformative technologies for an audience of policy makers, researchers, and practitioners.
• Expert Network and Research Programs Global research network of more than 100 fellows and policy experts who produce research and analysis on AI, cybersecurity, trade, financial governance, platform governance, and related international governance issues through CIGI's programs.
• Digital Policy Hub Fellowship program for emerging scholars and innovative thinkers researching the evolution and governance of transformative technologies, with partnerships connecting the program to universities including the University of Waterloo, government supporters, and private sector partners through the Mitacs Accelerate program.
• Global AI Risks Initiative Research initiative advancing international governance to manage global AI risks, developing frameworks and treaty proposals for advanced AI systems for an audience of national governments and multilateral policy makers.
• Waterloo Security Dialogue Dialogue series and convening platform that brings together technical experts, practitioners, and decision makers to address cybersecurity challenges and strengthen Canada's cyber resilience.
• Military AI Program Research program evaluating and promoting responsible and lawful use of military AI, aligned with the US-led Political Declaration on Responsible Military Use of AI and Autonomy.
• Freedom of Thought Program Research and publication program examining the boundary between legitimate influence and unlawful manipulation in the digital age, with a focus on technology's impact on human thought, autonomy, and societal cohesion.
• Supporting Safer Digital Spaces Multi-year research project exploring technology-facilitated gender-based violence and its impacts on women and LGBTQ+ communities globally, with data collection supported by research partner Ipsos and funding from the International Development Research Centre.
• Multimedia Content and Policy Prompt Series Video, audio, and Policy Prompt multimedia series delivering expert analysis on governance, technology, and international affairs topics, distributed online and through CIGI's YouTube channel (cigitube).

Quantifiable outcome

• Extensive publication output with thousands of papers, opinions and multimedia content published over the organization's history
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, significant and supporting.

• MitacscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMitacs partnership supports Digital Policy Hub fellows through the Accelerate program, providing funding and research opportunities for emerging scholars working on transformative technology governance.
• Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) CanadasignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerKAS Canada provides financial support for the Legitimate Influence or Unlawful Manipulation? policy brief series on freedom of thought in the digital age.
• University of WaterloocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIGI partners with universities including University of Waterloo for the Digital Policy Hub fellowship program, providing collaborative research opportunities.
• IpsossupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerIpsos provides data collection services for the Supporting Safer Digital Spaces project, conducting international surveys on technology-facilitated gender-based violence.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Lowy Institute: Australia-based international policy think tank with focus on geopolitics, technology, and global governance. Comparable in research methodology and policy engagement, but operates primarily in Indo-Pacific context.
• German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP): Berlin-based policy research institute advising German and EU policymakers on international affairs, security, and technology governance. Comparable through applied research model and policy advisory role, though based in Europe.

Direct peers

• Atlantic Council: International affairs think tank covering technology policy, digital economy, and security. Direct peer in digital/AI governance programming and global expert convenings.
• Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs): London-based international affairs think tank with peer-reviewed research, fellows program, and convening power. Closely comparable to CIGI's governance focus, fellow network, and policy engagement model.
• RAND Corporation: Global policy research organization producing rigorous analysis on governance, security, and technology. Comparable in peer-reviewed methodology, scale, and policy-maker engagement.
• Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: International affairs think tank with global centers producing independent research on technology governance and international cooperation. Closely aligned with CIGI's mission and programmatic structure.
• International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS): London-based think tank focused on security, defense, and international governance. Comparable in peer-reviewed output, expert fellows network, and policy engagement on military AI and security topics.
• Council on Foreign Relations: U.S.-based non-partisan think tank focused on international governance and foreign policy. Comparable through research output, conferences, and expert network engagement with policymakers.
• Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS): Bipartisan policy research organization covering technology, security, and international governance. Comparable through non-partisan research, events, and direct policy-maker briefings.
• Brookings Institution: Major U.S. think tank producing independent policy research across governance, technology, and economics. Directly comparable to CIGI as a non-partisan, peer-reviewed policy research organization serving global policymakers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cigionline
• YouTubeyoutube.com/cigitube
• Facebookfacebook.com/cigionline
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cigionline
• Instagraminstagram.com/cigi_online

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about CIGI