The Evidence Network
The Evidence Network is a Canadian professional services firm that conducts impact assessments and program evaluations for innovation intermediaries — including incubators, accelerators, R&D organizations, and government innovation agencies — using proprietary survey-based attribution methodology across 15 countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersWaterloo, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Evidence Network does
The Evidence Network (TEN), founded in 2009 by Dr. Brian Barge and Dr. Margaret Dalziel, is a Canadian professional services firm headquartered in North York, Ontario that provides impact assessments and program evaluations for innovation intermediaries — organizations that support researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and community-builders, including incubators, accelerators, R&D organizations, economic development agencies, and government innovation programs.
TEN's service portfolio centers on Impact Assessment Reports, supported by Impact Profiles (infographic communication), Impact Benchmarking, Randomized Controlled Trials, Social Network Analysis, and Impact Case Studies. The underlying technology is a proprietary theory-based impact assessment methodology that uses carefully-designed surveys combined with a 'judgment of attribution' approach, where respondents attribute performance changes to program participation. Statistical validation is performed through linear regression, propensity score matching comparison, and repeatability testing. Over 15 years, TEN has evaluated more than 100 organizations across 15 countries spanning North America, Europe, and Asia, building a benchmarking dataset that underpins cross-program comparability.
TEN operates a sales-led, direct-engagement go-to-market model with quote-based pricing and multi-year contracts. Revenue is generated entirely through professional services engagements with government agencies, non-profits, and academic institutions. The firm is privately held and founder-owned, with no external funding rounds disclosed, and currently employs 1-10 people. Customer concentration is spread across named engagements including National Research Council Canada, CABHI, Compute Ontario, NSERC, Tekes, Communitech, Ontario Brain Institute, Innovacorp, Ontario Centres of Excellence, Genome Atlantic, Natural Products Canada, and Zhejiang University Science Park.
The Evidence Network firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Evidence Network
- Legal name
- The Evidence Network Inc.
- Website
- https://theevidencenetwork.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Evidence Network is a Canadian professional services firm that conducts impact assessments and program evaluations for innovation intermediaries — including incubators, accelerators, R&D organizations, and government innovation agencies — using proprietary survey-based attribution methodology across 15 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Evidence Network industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Impact Assessment and Program Evaluation Services
- NAICS
- Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Education Policy Evaluation & Impact Assessment Organizations (EDADADAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Research, Evaluation & Program Effectiveness Reporting (EDADAIAM), Research, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Partnerships (EDADALAK), Survey, Panel & Fieldwork Services (BPAHALAJ), Due Diligence & Investigative Research (BPAHALAI)
Keywords
Where The Evidence Network is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Waterloo
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Evidence Network business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Impact Assessment Reports: TEN's most in-depth service offering providing evidence of impact based on feedback from clients, partners, or members served. Reports describe which innovation investments are working and which are not.
- Impact Profiles: Infographic-based impact demonstrations as visual communication tools to tell impact stories and demonstrate ROI for programming to stakeholders.
- Impact Benchmarking: Comparison services allowing organizations to benchmark against peers, track year-over-year improvements, or compare results of internal programs against one another.
- Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs): Gold-standard program evaluations using experimental designs with randomized controlled trials providing highly reliable evidence of effectiveness.
- Social Network Analysis: Analysis services capturing the role organizations play in facilitating ecosystem connections through specific survey questions embedded in impact assessments.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom professional services engagement |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
The Evidence Network product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Evidence Network conducts rigorous impact assessments and program evaluations for organizations that support entrepreneurs, researchers, innovators, and community-builders (e.g., incubators, accelerators, R&D agencies, and government innovation programs). It applies a proprietary theory-based impact assessment methodology — combining survey-based judgment-of-attribution techniques with statistical analysis — to deliver standalone products such as Impact Assessment Reports, Impact Profiles, Impact Benchmarking, Randomized Controlled Trials, Social Network Analysis, and Impact Case Studies. Services are tailored, project-based engagements commissioned by public and not-for-profit innovation-intermediary organizations.
Product overview
The Evidence Network (TEN) offers a portfolio of impact assessment and evaluation services for innovation intermediaries. The core offering is Impact Assessment Reports, which provides in-depth evidence of organizational impact through client surveys and statistical analysis. Supporting modules include Impact Profiles (infographic communication tools), Impact Benchmarking (peer comparison), Randomized Controlled Trials (gold-standard experimental evaluation), Social Network Analysis (ecosystem connectivity mapping), and Impact Case Studies (narrative storytelling). The methodology centers on survey-based 'judgment of attribution' approaches and statistical analysis (linear regressions) to identify the direct impact of services on client capabilities and performance outcomes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Impact Assessment Reports Comprehensive, methodology-driven impact assessment reports for incubators, accelerators, R&D programs, and other innovation-enabler organizations. Each report applies TEN's proprietary theory-based methodology, including survey-based judgment of attribution and statistical analysis, to produce rigorous evidence of program impact.
- Impact Profiles Concise, standardized impact profiles that summarize how an innovation-enabler organization's programs affect the entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators it serves. Designed for quick consumption by executives, boards, and funders.
- Impact Benchmarking Comparative benchmarking service that positions an innovation-enabler organization's program impact against peer organizations in the sector, drawing on TEN's accumulated dataset of 100+ evaluations across 15 countries.
- Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) Design and execution of randomized controlled trials to produce causal evidence on the impact of innovation-enabler programs. Targeted at clients requiring the highest standard of attribution evidence.
- Social Network Analysis
- Impact Case Studies Narrative impact case studies that document individual examples of how an innovation-enabler program has affected specific entrepreneurs, researchers, or organizations. Used alongside quantitative impact work to illustrate outcomes.
Quantifiable outcome
- Statistical analyses revealing EDO contributions to GDP equivalent to four times expenditures on EDO salaries
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use The Evidence Network
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Evidence Network technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
The Evidence Network partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Evidence Network competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Mathematica Policy Research: U.S.-based research and evaluation firm conducting impact assessments, RCTs, and program evaluations for government and nonprofit clients. Directly comparable to TEN in methodology (rigorous statistical attribution) and target market (public-sector program funders), though operating at significantly greater scale.
- NORC at the University of Chicago: Independent research organization delivering program evaluations, surveys, and impact studies for federal agencies and foundations. Comparable to TEN on methodology and client base, but with broader disciplinary coverage and substantially larger staff.
- Westat: Employee-owned research firm providing statistical research, survey design, and program evaluation services to government agencies. Overlaps with TEN's survey-driven impact measurement approach and public-sector client orientation.
- Abt Associates: Global research and consulting firm specializing in social, economic, and health policy program evaluation. Comparable as a peer delivering rigorous impact assessments using RCTs and quasi-experimental designs to public-sector and nonprofit clients.
- RTI International: Nonprofit research institute delivering program evaluation, surveys, and impact studies for government and foundation clients. Comparable to TEN in offering RCTs, program evaluations, and statistical attribution modeling to public-sector innovation and economic development programs.
- Innovation Network (formerly Innovation Network Inc.): Nonprofit consulting firm supporting foundations and nonprofits with evaluation, research, and learning services. Comparable to TEN in offering program evaluation and impact assessment to innovation and capacity-building intermediaries, though with a stronger nonprofit-lens focus.
- 4FRONT Oy: Finnish consulting partner of TEN that co-produced the Nordic Scalers Programme evaluation with the company. Comparable as a specialist evaluator in innovation and scale-up support programs serving Nordic government agencies, making it both a direct collaboration partner and a methodology peer.
Regional players
- MNP LLP: Major Canadian accounting and business advisory firm. Comparable as a Canada-based professional services provider that economic development organizations and Indigenous communities might consult, though broader in scope and not specialized in innovation-intermediary impact assessment.
Broad incumbents
- McKinsey Social & Sustainability Practice: Global management consulting arm serving governments, multilaterals, and foundations on social impact measurement and program evaluation. Comparable in serving innovation intermediaries and funders, but as part of a broad strategy portfolio rather than as a specialist.
- Bain & Company Social Impact Practice: Global consultancy's dedicated social impact practice advising foundations and social enterprises on measuring outcomes and program effectiveness. Overlaps with TEN's evidence-based impact methodology for funders and intermediaries, though embedded in a wider advisory business.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Evidence Network social profiles
Digital presenceThe Evidence Network financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Evidence Network leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
The Evidence Network funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Evidence Network 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 The Evidence Network
What does The Evidence Network do?
The Evidence Network conducts rigorous impact assessments and program evaluations for organizations that support entrepreneurs, researchers, innovators, and community-builders (e.g., incubators, accelerators, R&D agencies, and government innovation programs). It applies a proprietary theory-based impact assessment methodology — combining survey-based judgment-of-attribution techniques with statistical analysis — to deliver standalone products such as Impact Assessment Reports, Impact Profiles, Impact Benchmarking, Randomized Controlled Trials, Social Network Analysis, and Impact Case Studies. Services are tailored, project-based engagements commissioned by public and not-for-profit innovation-intermediary organizations.
Is The Evidence Network a public or private company?
The Evidence Network is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was The Evidence Network founded?
The Evidence Network was founded in 2009. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Evidence Network based?
The Evidence Network is headquartered in Waterloo, Canada, in the North America region.
How does The Evidence Network make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Impact Assessment Reports are the primary driver. The others are impact Profiles, impact Benchmarking, randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and social Network Analysis.
Who are The Evidence Network's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Mathematica Policy Research, NORC at the University of Chicago, Westat, Abt Associates, RTI International, Innovation Network (formerly Innovation Network Inc.) and 4FRONT Oy. MNP LLP is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are McKinsey Social & Sustainability Practice and Bain & Company Social Impact Practice.
Does The Evidence Network have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Evidence Network.
What industry is The Evidence Network in?
The Evidence Network's product category is Impact Assessment and Program Evaluation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDADADAD, Education Policy Evaluation & Impact Assessment Organizations, with a secondary code of EDADAIAM, Research, Evaluation & Program Effectiveness Reporting. Its NAICS code is 5416 and its SIC code is 8742.