LearnSphere
LearnSphere is an Atlantic Canada-based learning and development organization that delivers government-funded business training, export development, and non-profit capacity-building programs to SMEs and not-for-profits across New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersFredericton, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What LearnSphere does
LearnSphere is a privately held, Atlantic Canada-based learning and development organization headquartered in New Brunswick that delivers government-funded business development programs, training workshops, and customized advisory services to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and non-profit organizations. Its portfolio spans ProfitLearn (bilingual business skills training operated since 2000), reimbursement-based export funding programs (Export Funding NB in New Brunswick and EMAP/E for E in Prince Edward Island, each capped at 65% of eligible costs to a maximum $15,000 contribution), the Supply Chain 1-2-3 procurement readiness program targeting Ocean Tech & Defence and Food & Beverage sectors, the Training for the Non-Profit Sector (TNPS) program with coaching and customized support, and E-Commerce MasterClasses. Content is delivered through a network of 80+ expert Associates, supported by the iLearn online learning platform, and complemented by a French-language sub-brand (SavoirSphere).
The organization's revenue model is anchored in managed government contracts and grants: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Opportunities New Brunswick co-fund export programs; the Government of Canada provided $4M in March 2025 for a partnership with the McKenna Institute at UNB supporting women entrepreneurs in Cameroon and Senegal. Additional revenue is generated through professional-services engagements (customized non-profit support, one-on-one coaching, workshop hosting) while many participant-facing workshops are subsidized or free. Distribution combines direct sales (public and private workshops, coaching, application-based program entry) with self-serve registration via iLearn and Eventbrite, alongside referral partnerships with regional volunteer centres, CBDCs, and economic development organizations.
From a technology standpoint, LearnSphere does not own proprietary platform IP beyond the iLearn learning management system; its core competitive assets are its content library, its associate network, and its status as a selected program manager for provincial and federal funding initiatives. Recent strategic emphasis includes AI literacy workshops (generative AI, custom GPTs, responsible AI adoption), commercialization services for innovation-stage firms, and an international development track anchored by the McKenna Institute/UNB partnership.
LearnSphere firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- LearnSphere
- Legal name
- LearnSphere
- Website
- https://learnsphere.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- LearnSphere is an Atlantic Canada-based learning and development organization that delivers government-funded business training, export development, and non-profit capacity-building programs to SMEs and not-for-profits across New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
LearnSphere industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Business Training and Development Services
- NAICS
- Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Computer Training (611420), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Training Delivery Providers (In-Person, Virtual, Train-the-Trainer) (BPACANAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Technical & Digital Skills Training (BPACANAB), Learning Strategy, Instructional Design & Content Development (BPACANAG), Education Systems & Skills Technical Assistance (BPADAEAI)
Keywords
Where LearnSphere is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fredericton
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
LearnSphere business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Government Program Management: LearnSphere manages government-funded export development programs (Export Funding NB, EMAP/E for E PEI), receiving administrative/management funding from Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Opportunities New Brunswick to deliver these programs to eligible SMEs.
- Workshop and Training Delivery: Revenue from delivering workshops to non-profit organizations and SMEs. Programs include ProfitLearn (business management skills), E-commerce MasterClasses, and various business skills workshops. Many programs are government-funded and free or subsidized for participants.
- Customized Organizational Support: Customized support services for non-profit organizations through the Training for Non-Profit Sector (TNPS) program, including one-on-one coaching and tailored consulting engagements.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Export Funding NB - Government Reimbursement Program |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | EMAP/E for E PEI - Export Market Access Program |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | TNPS Non-Profit Training Program |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
LearnSphere product offering
Product offeringCore offering
LearnSphere is a New Brunswick-based business development organization that delivers business skills training, export development funding programs, and supplier development workshops to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and non-profit organizations across Atlantic Canada. Its core offerings include the ProfitLearn bilingual business skills program (operating since 2000), government-funded export funding programs (Export Funding NB and EMAP/E for E in PEI providing up to 65% reimbursement of eligible costs to a maximum of $15,000), the Supply Chain 1-2-3 procurement readiness program, and the Training for the Non-Profit Sector (TNPS) program with workshops, one-on-one coaching, and customized organizational support.
Product overview
LearnSphere is an Atlantic Canada-based business development organization offering a portfolio of interconnected training, funding, and advisory services. The core offerings include ProfitLearn (bilingual business skills training since 2000), government-funded export programs (Export Funding NB and EMAP/E for E providing up to $15,000 reimbursements), and Supply Chain 1-2-3 (a 9-week procurement readiness program). The organization also delivers the Training for the Non-Profit Sector (TNPS) program with workshops and coaching, e-commerce masterclasses, and essential skills resources. A network of expert Associates facilitates delivery across all program areas. The iLearn platform provides online access to public workshops. The March 2025 McKenna Institute partnership expanded international development work supporting women entrepreneurs in Africa.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ProfitLearn: Accessible, bilingual learning program providing business management skills development for New Brunswick SMEs since 2000
- Supply Chain 1-2-3
- Training for the Non-Profit Sector (TNPS)
- E-Commerce MasterClasses
- Export Funding NB
- EMAP/E for E (Export Market Access Program / E-tools for Exporting Program)
Products and services
- ProfitLearn Accessible, bilingual (English/French) learning program providing business management skills development for New Brunswick SMEs. Operated since 2000 as part of LearnSphere's Business Skills program area.
- Export Funding NB
- EMAP/E for E (Export Market Access Program and E-tools for Exporting Program) Government-funded financial assistance programs for Prince Edward Island SMEs covering strategy development, export-focused website additions, SEO, digital ads, and coaching for international market entry. Maximum $15,000 contribution (65% of eligible costs).
- Training for the Non-Profit Sector (TNPS) Accessible training program for New Brunswick non-profit organizations covering governance, board development, marketing, communications, HR, strategic planning, and process improvement. Includes workshops, one-on-one coaching, and customized organizational support.
- Supply Chain 1-2-3 A 9-week learning and development program supporting growth-oriented companies in increasing chances of winning procurement contracts. Covers business development, certification, RFP responses, project management, and supply chain logistics. Sectors include Ocean Tech & Defence and Food & Beverage Processing.
- E-commerce MasterClasses Eight interactive learning sessions supplemented with tools and templates for SMEs to grow their understanding of e-commerce tools and strategies and create actionable e-commerce plans. Cohorts are grouped by business size and experience level.
- Essential Skills Awareness Resources Resource collection covering workplace essential skills including literacy, numeracy, thinking skills, oral communication, computer use, working with others, and continuous learning. Includes assessments, profiles, and learning materials for businesses and employees.
- Commercialization Services Support services for businesses looking to commercialize products or innovations, providing guidance on market entry, strategy development, and growth planning.
- iLearn (LearnSphere Online Learning Platform) Online learning management platform hosting public workshops and training programs, enabling self-service registration and access to current workshop schedules.
Quantifiable outcome
- 98% of TNPS participants said the learning will help them in their job
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use LearnSphere
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
LearnSphere technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability4 records
LearnSphere partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and minor.
- McKenna Institute at UNBflagshipLearnSphere is partnering with the McKenna Institute at UNB to empower women entrepreneurs in Cameroon and Senegal. This $4M initiative, funded by the Canadian government, provides women with access to digital tools and training to succeed online.
- Nova Scotia Association of Community Business Development Corporations (NSACBDC)minorNSACBDC partnered with LearnSphere to initially offer the E-Commerce MasterClasses program with support from the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces.
- Second Spring DigitalminorExpert associate Scott MacIntosh and his team at Second Spring Digital developed curriculum and tools for the E-Commerce MasterClasses program delivered by LearnSphere.
- Regional Volunteer CentresminorRegional volunteer centres partner with LearnSphere to host TNPS workshops for non-profit organizations in their communities.
- Economic Development OrganizationsminorEconomic development organizations partner with LearnSphere to deliver business skills and non-profit training programs in their regions.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
LearnSphere competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- MaRS Discovery District: MaRS is a Toronto-based innovation hub offering advisory, training, and commercialization services to Canadian entrepreneurs and ventures. It is comparable to LearnSphere because LearnSphere's Commercialization Services program area overlaps with MaRS's entrepreneur support offerings, though MaRS operates at much larger scale and broader scope.
- Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC): BDC is Canada's federal business development bank offering advisory services, training, and financing to Canadian SMEs. It is comparable to LearnSphere because it delivers subsidized SME training and advisory programs across Canada, often in partnership with regional development agencies, although at much larger scale and broader geographic scope.
- Export Development Canada (EDC): EDC is Canada's export credit agency providing financing, insurance, and market knowledge to Canadian exporters. It is comparable to LearnSphere because LearnSphere manages export development programs (Export Funding NB, EMAP/E for E PEI) that complement EDC's national offerings, although EDC operates at national scale while LearnSphere is regional.
Direct peers
- Canadian Centre for Small Business (CCSB): CCSB delivers training, advisory, and resources to Canadian SMBs, including bilingual programming. It is comparable to LearnSphere because both deliver French/English business skills training to small business owners in partnership with regional development agencies.
- Community Business Development Corporations (CBDC) - Atlantic Region: CBDCs are Atlantic Canadian non-profit organizations delivering business training, advisory, and lending to SMEs. They are directly comparable to LearnSphere because they operate in the same Atlantic Canadian geographies, serve similar SMB customer segments, and are funded by ACOA — frequently partnering with LearnSphere on program delivery.
- Startup Canada: Startup Canada is a national entrepreneur support organization offering programs, resources, and advocacy for Canadian founders. It is comparable to LearnSphere because both deliver training and capacity-building programming to Canadian SMBs and entrepreneurs, often in partnership with government funders.
- Women's Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC): WEOC is a national network of women-focused business support organizations. It is comparable to LearnSphere because LearnSphere's McKenna Institute partnership targets women entrepreneurs in Africa — the same women-entrepreneur capacity-building category that WEOC and its member organizations serve domestically.
- Junior Achievement (JA) Canada: JA Canada delivers entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and work-readiness programs across Canada, often with government and corporate partners. It is comparable to LearnSphere because both deliver structured workshop-based business skills programming to Canadian learners, including non-profit and SMB audiences, with bilingual delivery in some regions.
- Futurpreneur: Futurpreneur provides mentorship, training, and financing to young Canadian entrepreneurs. It is directly comparable to LearnSphere because both deliver bilingual business skills programming to Canadian SMEs and non-profits, often funded by the federal government, with similar workshop-based delivery models.
Regional players
- Centre for Women in Business (Saint Mary's University): The Centre for Women in Business is an Atlantic Canadian (Nova Scotia) business training organization supporting women entrepreneurs. It is comparable to LearnSphere because both deliver Atlantic Canadian SME training programs, often with similar women-entrepreneur and capacity-building focus, though it is regionally based in Nova Scotia.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
LearnSphere social profiles
Digital presenceLearnSphere financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
LearnSphere leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
LearnSphere funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
LearnSphere 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 LearnSphere
What does LearnSphere do?
LearnSphere is a New Brunswick-based business development organization that delivers business skills training, export development funding programs, and supplier development workshops to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and non-profit organizations across Atlantic Canada. Its core offerings include the ProfitLearn bilingual business skills program (operating since 2000), government-funded export funding programs (Export Funding NB and EMAP/E for E in PEI providing up to 65% reimbursement of eligible costs to a maximum of $15,000), the Supply Chain 1-2-3 procurement readiness program, and the Training for the Non-Profit Sector (TNPS) program with workshops, one-on-one coaching, and customized organizational support.
Is LearnSphere a public or private company?
LearnSphere is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was LearnSphere founded?
LearnSphere was founded in 2000. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is LearnSphere based?
LearnSphere is headquartered in Fredericton, Canada, in the North America region.
How does LearnSphere make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government Program Management is the primary driver. The others are workshop and Training Delivery and customized Organizational Support.
Who are LearnSphere's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are MaRS Discovery District, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC). Direct peers are Canadian Centre for Small Business (CCSB), Community Business Development Corporations (CBDC) - Atlantic Region, Startup Canada, Women's Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC), Junior Achievement (JA) Canada and Futurpreneur. Centre for Women in Business (Saint Mary's University) is listed as a regional player.
Does LearnSphere have an API?
No public API is recorded for LearnSphere.
What industry is LearnSphere in?
LearnSphere's product category is Business Training and Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACANAM, Training Delivery Providers (In-Person, Virtual, Train-the-Trainer), with a secondary code of BPACANAB, Technical & Digital Skills Training. Its NAICS code is 611430 and its SIC code is 8200.