Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce

What Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce does

The Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce (CQCC), formerly the Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, is a Toronto-based nonprofit national chamber of commerce representing over 100,000 2SLGBTQI+ owned and operated businesses in Canada. The organization operates nine programs: Supplier Diversity certification (requiring 51%+ 2SLGBTQI+ ownership), Rainbow Registered accreditation for 2SLGBTQI+ friendly businesses, OUT For Business mentorship (10-month cohorts), the Global Program for export readiness and international trade missions, the FAM professional network, Advisor Access for newcomer entrepreneurs, an Entrepreneurship Program, a Tourism Program developed with Tourism HR Canada, and a currently inactive Mental Health Initiative. It maintains an affiliated education foundation (CGLBEF) that accepts tax-deductible donations to support training, mentorship, research, and scholarships.

CQCC is not a technology company; its product surface consists of programs, accreditations, and events rather than software. Distribution runs through a self-serve website with a program-matching quiz, email newsletters, social media (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram), webinars (Webinar Wednesday), and in-person events including the EY/CQCC Business Pitch Competition, Supplier Diversity Days, and trade missions. Revenue is generated through four streams: recurring Corporate Partnership fees (with 135+ partners including Google, Johnson & Johnson, Amazon, Air Canada, and CIBC), recurring Business Membership fees, transactional event sponsorship, and donations to the CGLBEF foundation. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The organization is led by CEO and co-founder Darrell Schuurman.

Name

Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce

Legal name

Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce (CQCC)

Website

https://cglcc.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce (CQCC) is a Toronto-based nonprofit chamber of commerce representing over 100,000 2SLGBTQI+ owned and operated businesses in Canada, offering supplier diversity certification, mentorship, trade missions, accreditation, and networking programs alongside corporate partnerships and membership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Corporate Partnership Program: Corporations, organizations, and government bodies pay to become corporate partners, gaining access to supplier diversity programs, networking with 2SLGBTQI+ businesses, and sponsorship opportunities for events and programs.
2. Business Membership: Individual businesses and entrepreneurs pay membership fees to join the chamber, gaining access to networking, resources, and the FAM program community.
3. Event Sponsorship: Corporate partners sponsor specific events (pitch competitions, supplier diversity days, webinars) as a marketing and community investment.
4. Donations to Business Education Foundation: Tax-deductible donations support the CGLBEF (Canadian Gay & Lesbian Business Education Foundation) which funds training, mentorship, research, and scholarships for 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce (CQCC) is Canada's national chamber of commerce representing and advocating for over 100,000 2SLGBTQI+ owned and operated businesses. It delivers programs including supplier diversity certification, Rainbow Registered accreditation, the OUT For Business mentorship program, the Global export and trade mission program, the FAM professional networking program, an Advisor Access Program for newcomer entrepreneurs, an Entrepreneurship Program for small and medium-sized enterprises, and a Tourism Program. The organization funds these programs through business memberships, corporate partnerships with 135+ corporate partners, event sponsorships, and tax-deductible donations routed through its affiliated Canadian Gay & Lesbian Business Education Foundation (CGLBEF).

Product overview

The Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce (CQCC) is a chamber of commerce organization serving 2SLGBTQI+ owned and operated businesses in Canada, rather than a technology product company. Its offering consists of nine distinct programs: Supplier Diversity (certification for LGBTQ-owned businesses), Rainbow Registered (accreditation for 2SLGBTQI+-friendly organizations), OUT For Business (national mentorship), Global Program (export/trade support), The FAM Program (professional networking), Advisor Access Program (for newcomers), Entrepreneurship Program (SME support), Tourism Program (industry training), and Mental Health Initiative (currently inactive). These programs are supplemented by corporate partnership and membership tiers providing access, connection, and growth resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Supplier Diversity: Program connecting certified 2SLGBTQI+ businesses with inclusive organizations and corporate partners.
• Rainbow Registered
• OUT For Business
• Global Program
• The FAM
• Advisor Access Program
• Entrepreneurship Program
• Tourism Program
• CQCC Business Education Foundation (CGLBEF)

Products and services

• Supplier Diversity Certification Certifies LGBTQ-owned businesses (at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled) as Diverse Suppliers, connecting them with corporate partners' purchasing and networking opportunities.
• Rainbow Registered Accreditation National accreditation for 2SLGBTQI+ friendly businesses and organizations, signaling commitment to fostering welcoming and supportive environments and opening doors to new opportunities and networks.
• OUT For Business Mentorship Program Canada's only national mentorship program for 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs. Each 10-month cohort connects business leaders with the next generation of leaders through one-on-one and group mentoring sessions.
• Global Export Program Supports 2SLGBTQI+ businesses in becoming export-ready or expanding their exporting capacity through capacity-building programs, mentorship opportunities, virtual trade networks, and funding to support domestic and international trade mission participation. Described as the world's first government-led international trade mission for 2SLGBTQI+ businesses, supported by Export Development Canada (EDC).
• The FAM Program National professional network connecting 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs and professionals with resources, skill-building workshops, and other members of CQCC's ecosystem, supporting those who own 1-100% of their business.
• Advisor Access Program Structured sessions with expert advisors tailored for newcomer 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs, offering one-on-one networking and expert-facilitated discussions on business challenges.
• Entrepreneurship Program Program breaking down barriers for small to medium-sized 2SLGBTQI+ enterprises through targeted support to community organizations, enhancing sustainability, growth, and competitiveness.
• Tourism Program Tourism-related training and education tools developed in partnership with Tourism HR Canada, including workshops for diversity and inclusion, destination audits, and tourism toolkits to ensure inclusive experiences for 2SLGBTQI+ travelers across Canada.
• Corporate Partnership Partnership offering for corporations, organizations, and government bodies to support and/or purchase from 2SLGBTQI+ communities across Canada. Includes access to diversity practices, support for building and growing a Supplier Diversity program, and sponsorship of impactful events and programs.
• Business Membership Individual business and entrepreneur membership tier providing access to networking, resources, the FAM program community, exclusive events, and connections with CQCC's corporate partner network.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• GoogleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGoogle appears as a corporate partner logo on CQCC's website, indicating financial or marketing support for the chamber's programs and initiatives.
• Johnson & JohnsonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJohnson & Johnson is listed among 135+ corporate partners supporting CQCC's mission to advance supplier diversity and LGBTQ+ business inclusion.
• AmazonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmazon is featured as a corporate partner logo, indicating participation in supplier diversity programs or sponsorship of CQCC initiatives.
• Air CanadaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAir Canada is listed among corporate partners, likely engaging through supplier diversity procurement and/or sponsorship of trade missions and events.
• CIBCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCIBC appears as a corporate partner, supporting LGBTQ+ business inclusion through diversity procurement and financial sponsorship.
• Export Development Canada (EDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEDC provides generous support for CQCC's Global Program, enabling export readiness training and international trade missions for Canadian 2SLGBTQI+ businesses. This is a flagship program described as the world's first government-led international trade mission for LGBTQ+ businesses.
• EY (Ernst & Young)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEY partners with CQCC on the annual EY/CQCC Business Pitch Competition, celebrating outstanding 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs. EY provides expertise and recognition through this flagship entrepreneurship initiative.
• TELUScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTELUS co-hosts CQCC X TELUS Supplier Diversity Day, providing a platform for connecting certified diverse suppliers with corporate procurement opportunities.
• Tourism HR CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTourism HR Canada partners with CQCC to develop training and educational tools for destinations, ensuring inclusive experiences for 2SLGBTQI+ travelers across Canada's tourism industry.
• Our Landing PlaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOur Landing Place partnered with CQCC to launch a mental health initiative for 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs, offering group workshops and one-on-one confidential mental health support at no cost.
• Canadian Gay & Lesbian Business Education Foundation (CGLBEF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCGLBEF is CQCC's affiliated foundation that accepts donations to support 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs through training, mentorship, research, and scholarships. Donations provide tax receipts and support the chamber's educational mission.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC): The NGLCC is the original US-based national LGBT chamber of commerce. It operates the same Supplier Diversity certification, corporate partner model, and advocacy mission as CQCC, making it the closest international peer.
• StartOut: StartOut is a US-based nonprofit supporting LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs through mentorship, networking, and accelerator programming, closely mirroring CQCC's OUT For Business and FAM initiatives.
• National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC): NMSDC is the leading US minority supplier development organization, certifying diverse-owned businesses and connecting them with corporate procurement teams. CQCC's Supplier Diversity program follows the same minority supplier certification model for the LGBTQ+ segment.
• Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC): WBENC certifies women-owned businesses and links them to corporate supply chains in the US and Canada. Its certification, corporate partner, and event-based engagement model is structurally analogous to CQCC's.
• WEConnect International: WEConnect International certifies women-owned businesses globally and operates corporate partner programs with multinational buyers, paralleling CQCC's Supplier Diversity certification and Global Program trade mission model.

Emerging players

• Out Leadership: Out Leadership is a corporate LGBTQ+ advisory and convening organization focused on talent, capital markets, and supply chain inclusion. It shares CQCC's corporate partnership orientation but operates more as a B2B advisory than a membership chamber.
• Pride at Work Canada: Pride at Work Canada is a nonprofit focused on LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion, training, and employer engagement. It overlaps with CQCC's Tourism and corporate inclusion programming but does not offer supplier certification.
• Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce: The Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce is a niche, identity-focused national chamber advocating for Black-owned businesses in Canada. It uses a comparable chamber model, advocacy stance, and corporate partner ecosystem as CQCC.

Broad incumbents

• Canadian Chamber of Commerce: The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is the broadest national business association in Canada. It serves as the mainstream incumbent counterpart to CQCC's niche, identity-focused chamber model.

Regional players

• Toronto Region Board of Trade: The Toronto Region Board of Trade is a large metropolitan chamber offering networking, advocacy, and policy programming for businesses in the GTA. It represents a regional incumbent to CQCC's national, identity-focused mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/theCGLCC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cglcc
• Instagraminstagram.com/queerchamberca

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments11 records

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Frequently asked questions about Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce