ATA Martial Arts

What ATA Martial Arts does

ATA Martial Arts Canada is a privately held, single-location martial arts school operating in the Meadowlark area of West Edmonton, Alberta, since 2003, under the broader ATA International franchise network. The school delivers in-person training in three core disciplines — Songahm Taekwondo, Krav Maga, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — structured into age-segmented programs: ATA Tigers (ages 4–6), Martial Arts Kids (ages 7–13), Teens Mixed Training (grades 8–12), and Adult Mixed Training (ages 18–81), with member participation documented from age 4 through 81. Specialized tracks include the ATA Leadership/Instructor Training certification pathway, First Responders, and an ATA Alumni return program for lapsed black belts.

The underlying curriculum is built on ATA International's standardized Songahm Taekwondo framework (founded by Eternal Grand Master H.U. Lee in 1969), supplemented with Krav Maga self-defense and a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lineage traced from Rickson Gracie through to Kevin Ford, an IBJJF-certified Black Belt Professor and Level 5 Krav Maga Instructor. Programming is differentiated by age-appropriate pedagogy, a separate belt-ranking system for the youngest cohort, and the integration of weapons training and life-skills content (goal-setting, public speaking, character development). The instructor bench is led by Chief Master Kevin Ford (8th Degree Black Belt, school owner) and includes his son Isaac Ford (4th Degree Black Belt) plus four other black-belt instructors, all nationally certified.

The business operates a subscription/recurring membership model with a freemium entry point (free introductory class) and direct-to-consumer acquisition via word-of-mouth, free trials, Facebook, Instagram, and the company website (atacanada.com). Distribution is exclusively in-person at the 200 – 8721 156 Street facility, with no online courses, no app, and no e-commerce channel; pricing is not publicly disclosed. The firm is reported at 1–10 employees and operates solely within the Edmonton market, with no disclosed investors, holding companies, or external capital.

Name

ATA Martial Arts

Legal name

ATA Martial Arts Canada

Website

https://atacanada.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ATA Martial Arts Canada is a privately held, single-location martial arts school in West Edmonton delivering Taekwondo, Krav Maga, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu programs for students aged 4 to 81 through recurring memberships and a freemium free-trial entry model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Martial Arts Training Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHSADADAA

Traditional Martial Arts Schools (Karate, Taekwondo, Kung Fu, etc.)

Home & Personal Services/Fitness, Wellness & Personal Training/Martial Arts & Self-Defense Training

SECONDARYHSADADAC

Grappling & Submission Arts Training (Judo, BJJ, Wrestling)

Home & Personal Services/Fitness, Wellness & Personal Training/Martial Arts & Self-Defense Training

SECONDARYHSADADAE

Reality-Based Self-Defense Programs (Krav Maga, Combatives)

Home & Personal Services/Fitness, Wellness & Personal Training/Martial Arts & Self-Defense Training

SECONDARYHSADADAG

Kids & Youth Martial Arts Programs

Home & Personal Services/Fitness, Wellness & Personal Training/Martial Arts & Self-Defense Training

Keywords

• Martial arts training
• Taekwondo instruction
• Krav maga self defense
• Brazilian jiu jitsu
• Kids martial arts

Headquarters

HQ city

Chesterfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Martial Arts Membership Fees: The school generates revenue through recurring membership fees for martial arts training programs. Programs are divided by age groups including Tigers (4-6), Kids (7-13), Teens (8-12), and Adults (18+). Special discount programs exist for first responders and black belt alumni returning after extended time away.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ATA Martial Arts is a physical martial arts training school in West Edmonton delivering in-person classes across three core disciplines: Songahm Taekwondo, Krav Maga, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Programs are segmented by age group (Tigers 4-6, Kids 7-13, Teens grades 8-12, and Adults 18-81) with specialized tracks for leadership development, instructor certification, first responders, and returning alumni. Members pay recurring membership fees with new members able to start weekly after a free introductory class.

Product overview

ATA Martial Arts is a martial arts training school offering a unified portfolio of age-segmented programs built around three core disciplines: Songahm Taekwondo, Krav Maga, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The product lineup spans ATA Tigers (ages 4-6), Martial Arts Kids (ages 7-13), Teens Mixed Training (grades 8-12), and Adult Mixed Training programs, with specialized tracks including Leadership/Instructor Training, First Responders, and Alumni Programs. All programs share the same multi-style curriculum foundation but are differentiated by age-appropriate teaching methods, belt rank systems, and life skills development. The school has been operating since 2003 (parent organization since 1992) and is part of ATA International with over one million members across schools on every continent.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ATA Tigers Preschool martial arts program for children ages 4-6 featuring a specialized curriculum focused on character development, motor skills, and foundational Taekwondo techniques with a separate rank system and character-based learning.
• Martial Arts Kids (MAK) Comprehensive martial arts program for children ages 7-13 combining Taekwondo, Karate, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instruction with an integrated life skills curriculum teaching respect, focus, goal-setting, and positive attitude.
• Teens Mixed Training Multi-style martial arts program for students in grades 8-12 incorporating Taekwondo, Krav Maga, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and weapons training including nunchucks, long staff, and combat stick in an upbeat, disciplined atmosphere.
• Adult Mixed Training Comprehensive adult martial arts training combining Taekwondo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Krav Maga instruction for beginners through advanced practitioners, with no prior athletic ability required.
• Songahm Taekwondo Traditional Korean martial art featuring the Songahm style founded by Eternal Grand Master H.U. Lee in 1969, encompassing forms, sparring, self-defence, weapons training, board breaking, and traditional life skills development as part of ATA International with over one million members globally.
• Krav Maga Israeli self-defence system taught across all adult programs, emphasizing natural and instinctive techniques that are simple to learn, viable against threats, and applicable in various situations with a philosophy of defence through offence.
• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) Grappling martial art featuring locks, chokes, and take-downs derived from Judo via Brazil, known as the gentle art or human chess, providing a complete workout that improves flexibility, balance, endurance, and strength with lineage traced to Rickson Gracie through Max Trombini and Rodrigo Resende to Kevin Ford.
• ATA Leadership Program Advanced leadership development program teaching students to become instructors and masters, featuring life skills curriculum, advanced weapons training (Jahng Bong, Ssahng Nat, Oh Sung Do, Gumdo), community service opportunities, and instructor certification pathways through nationally recognized training.
• Instructor Training Professional instructor certification program requiring completion of an internship and testing under a national board of examiners, training students from junior leaders to trainees, trainers, coaches, and nationally certified instructors.
• First Responders Program Discounted martial arts training program for active members of police, fire, ambulance, and military services as a token of appreciation for their service.
• ATA Alumni Program Special return-to-training program for black belt members who have been inactive for one year or longer, featuring discounted rates to help alumni transition back into regular training.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Premier Martial Arts: Large franchise network offering karate, jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, and self-defense programs segmented by age. Direct comparable on multi-discipline curriculum, age-tiered programming, and franchise/affiliation model.
• Tiger Schulmann's Martial Arts: Largest martial arts chain in North America offering karate, kickboxing, and jiu-jitsu programs for kids and adults. Comparable as a multi-discipline, family-oriented martial arts school operating on a recurring membership model.
• Krav Maga Worldwide: Largest Krav Maga training organization with affiliated schools worldwide. Directly comparable as a Krav Maga-focused instructional school serving adults with structured certification and recurring memberships.
• U.S. Taekwondo Center: Independent Taekwondo school network with age-segmented programs and belt progression. Comparable on Taekwondo-led curriculum, family programming, and community-based instructional model.
• Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: World's largest BJJ franchise with structured curricula and belt progression across age groups. Comparable as a BJJ-focused instructional school with adult and youth programs and recurring membership revenue.
• Karate America: Long-running martial arts franchise focused on karate-based programs for kids and adults with belt ranking and recurring memberships. Comparable on age-segmented instruction, belt-driven retention, and franchised instructional model.
• Alliance BJJ (Alliance Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu): Major international BJJ team with affiliated academies across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Comparable as a structured BJJ instructional brand with IBJJF-affiliated curriculum and adult/youth programs.
• 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu: Prominent no-gi BJJ school network with locations across multiple geographies. Comparable as a BJJ-specific instructional brand offering structured adult programs and belt progression.

Regional players

• Evoke Martial Arts & Fitness: Multi-discipline martial arts school based in Victoria, BC, offering Taekwondo, kickboxing, and jiu-jitsu. Comparable as a Canadian independent martial arts school operating age-tiered programs, though in a different regional market than Edmonton.

Broad incumbents

• ATA International (parent organization): Parent organization of ATA Martial Arts Canada with 1M+ members and schools globally. Comparable as the franchisor/affiliation governing curriculum, branding, and instructor certification that ATA Canada operates under.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/atamacanada
• Instagraminstagram.com/ata.canada
• Xx.com/atamartialarts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ATA Martial Arts