MapSherpa
MapSherpa is an Ottawa-based digital map distributor operating a secure print-on-demand marketplace that connects 30+ international map publishers with 30+ retail partners across the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and Europe, including Amazon and specialty map shops.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersOttawa, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What MapSherpa does
MapSherpa is an Ottawa-based digital map distributor and print-on-demand platform that aggregates content from more than 30 international map publishers and routes it to a retail network of 30+ partners across the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and mainland Europe. Its core offering connects publishers (Collins, National Geographic, Natural Resources Canada, A-Z Maps, Hema Maps, and others) with retailers (Amazon across three marketplaces, Stanfords, Bluewater Books & Charts, World Maps Online, ITMB, and specialty map shops) through a secure, just-in-time print-on-demand technology stack that prints maps locally on order, eliminating inventory for retailers and enabling publishers to reach geographic markets that traditional distribution cannot serve.
The platform's product surface spans four primary categories: publisher wall maps printed on demand, custom site-centred wall and folded maps in up to seven metric/imperial sizes, custom made-to-measure wallpaper-style area maps, and UK planning-compliant site plans built on Ordnance Survey MasterMap data. MapSherpa also operates custom imagery products (USA Imagery using USGS NAIP data, UK Imagery using Getmapping aerial imagery) and powers white-label mapping experiences such as the Swisstopo MySwissMap app. Its owned web property MapsOfWorld.com, acquired in March 2021, contributes more than 190,000 content pages and approximately 20 million annual visitors.
The company generates revenue through transaction-based fees on print-on-demand map sales routed through its retailer network and via its direct catalog at mapsherpa.com; pricing is set independently by publishers and retailers rather than by MapSherpa. Founded circa 2004 (with founder Dave McIlhagga active in geospatial since 1998), the company operates with a small core team of three identified members, remains founder-owned and privately held with no external institutional investors, and is a member of the International Map Industry Association.
MapSherpa firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MapSherpa
- Legal name
- MapSherpa
- Website
- https://mapsherpa.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- MapSherpa is an Ottawa-based digital map distributor operating a secure print-on-demand marketplace that connects 30+ international map publishers with 30+ retail partners across the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and Europe, including Amazon and specialty map shops.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MapSherpa industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Digital Map Distribution & Geospatial Content Publishing
- NAICS
- Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services (54137)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Paper & Paper Products (5110)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Mapping & Basemap Platforms (Tiles/SDKs) (BPAMANAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Partner Network & Supplier Onboarding/Connectivity Platforms (Mapping, Certification, QA) (THALAJAO)
Keywords
Where MapSherpa is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ottawa
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
MapSherpa business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Print-on-Demand Map Sales: MapSherpa connects publishers with retail partners through their platform. They generate revenue by facilitating print-on-demand map sales through their network of retailers, earning a margin on transactions. The platform enables just-in-time printing and delivery of maps to market.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Print-on-demand maps sold through retail partners with pricing set by individual retailers |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
MapSherpa product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MapSherpa operates a digital map distribution platform that aggregates content from 30+ international map publishers and distributes it through a 30+ retail partner network using secure print-on-demand technology. Its deliverables include publisher wall maps printed on demand, custom site-centred wall and folded maps, made-to-measure wallpaper-style area wall maps, and UK planning-conformant site plans using Ordnance Survey MasterMap data. Maps are produced locally on demand as customers order them, eliminating inventory for retailers and enabling map publishers to reach international markets without traditional print distribution infrastructure.
Product overview
MapSherpa is a digital map distribution platform operating as a marketplace and print-on-demand service. The core offering consists of Print-on-Demand Maps (publisher wall maps printed on demand), Custom Site-Centred Wall & Folded Maps (in metric and imperial sizes), Custom Area Wall Maps (wallpaper-style made-to-measure maps), and UK Site Plans (planning maps conforming to UK requirements using Ordnance Survey MasterMap). The platform aggregates content from a publisher network (Collins, National Geographic, A-Z Maps, Natural Resources Canada, and 25+ others) through a marketplace catalog with search and filtering capabilities. Distribution occurs via retail partners including Amazon, map retailers, and the Avenza Maps mobile app. MapSherpa also acquired MapsOfWorld.com in 2021 and powered the Swisstopo MySwissMap app.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MapsOfWorld.com: Acquired mapping and location-based content website featuring over 190,000 web pages of map and location centric content with approximately 20 million annual visitors
Products and services
- Print-on-Demand Maps Publisher wall maps printed on demand through MapSherpa's secure distribution platform, enabling retailers to print and ship maps just-in-time as orders arrive rather than holding inventory. Available to retailers via the MapSherpa catalog and Amazon marketplace.
- Custom Site-Centred Wall & Folded Maps Custom maps centred on any location, available in up to seven Metric and Imperial sizes for both wall and folded map formats, produced via MapSherpa's custom map creation tools for retailers and end customers.
- Custom Area Wall Maps (Wallpaper Maps) Made-to-measure wallpaper-style maps that can be customized to specific dimensions for wall display, produced through MapSherpa's custom map tools and sold via retail partners and the company catalog.
- UK Site Plans Valid planning maps conforming to UK planning application requirements using Ordnance Survey MasterMap data in a variety of scales (1:200, 1:500, 1:1250, 1:2500) and hectare sizes, with colour and black & white options and built-in markup tools for highlighting buildings and measuring distances and areas. Aimed at UK planning applicants, architects, and property professionals.
- USA Imagery Custom Maps Custom maps leveraging USGS National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) imagery service from The National Map to generate natural color maps of the Lower 48 US states, available via the MapSherpa platform.
- UK Imagery Custom Maps Custom maps using 25 cm aerial imagery of England, Scotland and Wales provided by Getmapping, available through the MapSherpa platform.
- UK Postcode Sectors by Collins Custom maps provided by Collins displaying detailed postcode boundary information for approximately 9,500 Sector postcodes across England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands, overlaid on Collins Bartholomew road mapping and produced through MapSherpa's platform.
- Collins World Map (Large Print-on-Demand) Large (1015mm x 1380mm / 54.5in x 40in) Collins World Map featuring politically coloured mapping with countries, capitals, major roads, railways, cities, national flags, key statistics, and polar region inset maps, available exclusively through MapSherpa as a print-on-demand product.
- Swisstopo MySwissMap App Mobile mapping app powered by MapSherpa technology, launched in partnership with Swisstopo (Swiss Federal Office of Topography) and Nextbyte Technologies, delivering Swiss topographic maps to consumers via mobile devices.
- MapSherpa Marketplace & Catalog Platform Online marketplace and catalog aggregating maps from multiple publishers, with search by phrase and filtering by map type (custom or print on demand) and publisher. Used by retailers and publishers to discover, configure, and order maps globally.
Companies that use MapSherpa
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
MapSherpa technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
MapSherpa partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
34 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- MapsOfWorld.comcoreMapSherpa acquired MapsOfWorld.com in March 2021. The site has over 190,000 web pages of map and location centric content and over 20 million visitors annually, making it one of the industry's largest destinations for map-based searches.
- Swisstopo (Swiss Federal Office of Topography)coreLaunched MySwissMap app powered by MapSherpa technology. Swiss Federal Office of Topography is one of the mapping industry's most iconic organizations.
- CollinscoreMajor UK map publisher providing extensive range of maps including world maps, national parks, children's maps, and regional maps available through MapSherpa's print-on-demand platform.
- National GeographiccoreGlobal publisher providing historical, travel, and thematic maps including antique maps and regional travel maps through the MapSherpa platform.
- Natural Resources CanadacoreGovernment publisher providing Canadian topographic maps and Olympic site maps through the Atlas of Canada program.
- A-Z MapscoreUK publisher providing road maps and street maps including A-Z Birmingham, Manchester, London Master Plan series.
- Hema MapscoreAustralian publisher specializing in maps of Australia and surrounding regions.
- Ordnance SurveycoreUK mapping agency providing MasterMap data for site plans and various OS mapping data (Landranger, Explorer, VectorMap District, Open Map Local) for custom maps.
- 2theAlpsminorUK publisher specializing in Alpine region maps.
- Backroad MapbooksminorCanadian publisher specializing in backroad and outdoor recreation maps.
- Benchmark MapsminorUS publisher providing road and recreation atlases.
- ArtokolorominorPublisher of artistic and decorative maps based in Cyprus.
- Geo4MapminorItalian publisher specializing in regional maps.
- Hardie GrantminorAustralian publisher providing travel maps.
- Global MappingminorUK publisher providing global coverage maps.
- Globe TurnerminorUS publisher providing global coverage maps.
- GM JohnsonminorCanadian publisher providing road and reference maps.
- GoTrekkersminorCanadian publisher specializing in adventure and outdoor maps.
- Inspirit CartographicsminorCanadian publisher providing custom mapping services.
- Kartographie HuberminorGerman publisher specializing in regional maps.
- KartographiaminorUkrainian map publisher.
- LucidmapminorCanadian publisher.
- Mapping SpecialistsminorUS publisher providing custom mapping solutions.
- Maps InternationalminorUK publisher providing decorative and political world maps.
- Meridian MapsminorAustralian publisher.
- Oxford CartographersminorUK publisher providing custom mapping services.
- Spatial VisionminorAustralian publisher specializing in regional maps.
- StanfordscoreMajor UK map retailer with stores in London, Bristol, and Manchester. Flagship specialty map retailer partner.
- The TimesminorUK publisher providing world and regional maps.
- Twisted Spirit LimitedminorPublisher of thematic and specialty maps.
- US Department of Agriculture Forest ServiceminorUS government publisher providing national forest maps.
- WestprintminorAustralian publisher specializing in outback and regional maps.
- XYZ MapsminorUK publisher providing maps.
- International Map Industry Association (IMIA)coreMapSherpa is a proud member of IMIA. Co-sponsored Partner Day at 2023 Mapping Leaders Forum in Denver alongside National Geographic Maps, Harper Collins, and Eastview Companies.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
MapSherpa competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Avenza Maps: Avenza Maps is a mobile map marketplace and app store where users buy and download georeferenced maps; MapSherpa already distributes through Avenza's store, and both companies serve the same buyers (publishers selling maps to consumers) via digital storefronts — making them directly comparable platform peers.
- East View Geospatial / Map Link: East View Geospatial is a major distributor of maps, charts, and geospatial data to libraries, governments, and consumers; MapSherpa lists East View Map Link as a retail partner, but East View also runs its own consumer-facing marketplace (Longitude Maps), making it a directly comparable map-distribution peer.
- Omni Resources: Omni Resources is a long-standing US map retailer and distributor carrying travel maps, wall maps, and topographic products from publishers worldwide; it competes with MapSherpa for the same map-publisher content and the same consumer and institutional buyers.
- Maps International: Maps International is a UK-based publisher and retailer of decorative wall maps, political world maps, and gifts; MapSherpa lists it as a publishing partner, and the two compete in the same printed wall-map category online and through Amazon.
- Stanfords: Stanfords is the UK's flagship specialty map and travel-book retailer with stores in London, Bristol, and Manchester; MapSherpa lists Stanfords as a core retail partner, and both sell maps from overlapping publishers (Collins, National Geographic, etc.) to travelers and consumers.
- World Maps Online: World Maps Online is a Seattle-based online map retailer selling wall maps, travel maps, and custom mapping; it is a named retail partner of MapSherpa, and the two compete for the same North American consumer of printed maps via search and marketplace listings.
Broad incumbents
- National Geographic Maps: National Geographic Maps is a globally recognized map publisher whose content is distributed through MapSherpa; it also sells direct via its own store and partner channels, putting it in the overlapping role of publisher, partner, and partial competitor.
- Ordnance Survey: Ordnance Survey is the UK's national mapping agency and a data supplier/technology partner to MapSherpa; while not a direct competitor, OS increasingly offers its own consumer maps and data licensing, making it a broad incumbent in MapSherpa's adjacent space.
Emerging players
- Geo4Map: Geo4Map is an Italian regional map publisher participating in MapSherpa's network; it represents the kind of independent European publisher that MapSherpa onboards, and is comparable as a smaller specialized content supplier in the same ecosystem.
Others
- International Map Industry Association (IMIA): IMIA is the global trade association for the mapping industry in which MapSherpa is an active member and partner-day co-sponsor; it is not a competitor but an industry ecosystem participant relevant to MapSherpa's market context and networking.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
MapSherpa social profiles
Digital presenceMapSherpa financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MapSherpa leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
MapSherpa subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
MapSherpa funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MapSherpa 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 MapSherpa
What does MapSherpa do?
MapSherpa operates a digital map distribution platform that aggregates content from 30+ international map publishers and distributes it through a 30+ retail partner network using secure print-on-demand technology. Its deliverables include publisher wall maps printed on demand, custom site-centred wall and folded maps, made-to-measure wallpaper-style area wall maps, and UK planning-conformant site plans using Ordnance Survey MasterMap data. Maps are produced locally on demand as customers order them, eliminating inventory for retailers and enabling map publishers to reach international markets without traditional print distribution infrastructure.
Is MapSherpa a public or private company?
MapSherpa is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was MapSherpa founded?
MapSherpa was founded in 2004. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is MapSherpa based?
MapSherpa is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, in the North America region.
How does MapSherpa make money?
One revenue line is on record: print-on-Demand Map Sales.
Who are MapSherpa's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Avenza Maps, East View Geospatial / Map Link, Omni Resources, Maps International, Stanfords and World Maps Online. Broad incumbents are National Geographic Maps and Ordnance Survey. Geo4Map is listed as an emerging player. International Map Industry Association (IMIA) is listed as an others.
Does MapSherpa have an API?
No public API is recorded for MapSherpa.
What industry is MapSherpa in?
MapSherpa's product category is Digital Map Distribution & Geospatial Content Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMANAB, Mapping & Basemap Platforms (Tiles/SDKs), with a secondary code of THALAJAO, Partner Network & Supplier Onboarding/Connectivity Platforms (Mapping, Certification, QA). Its NAICS code is 54137 and its SIC code is 5110.