What C21 Canada does

C21 Canada (Canadians for 21st Century Learning & Innovation) is a national not-for-profit organization founded in 2011 and headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario. It advocates for 21st century models of learning across the Canadian education system and convenes education leaders through two principal national networks: the CEO Academy, a Pan-Canadian professional network of school district superintendents founded in 2015, and the CIO Alliance, a national leadership alliance of K-12 Chief Information Officers launched in 2020. Both networks span all Canadian provinces and territories and operate through annual rotating summits (Toronto 2023, Calgary 2024, Atlantic Canada 2025, Vancouver 2026), ongoing webinars, and member-driven inquiry.

The organization's core intellectual property consists of research publications and frameworks developed over fifteen years, most prominently the Shifting Minds 7Cs framework (identifying critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, personal development, global citizenship, and digital competency, with versions through 4.0), the Spiral Playbook for professional inquiry, the School Beyond COVID-19 discussion paper (2021), the Future of AI in K12 Education Report (May 2024), and the AI Task Force Report (October 2025). Its most operationally significant program is the AI Use Case Initiative, launched in Fall 2024 in partnership with Dell Technologies, which has run three successive rounds documenting practical AI implementation across 20+ Canadian K-12 and post-secondary institutions.

C21 Canada operates as a membership-based non-profit with revenue derived from membership fees, supporter contributions, and strategic partnerships (Dell Technologies as flagship partner, alongside Microsoft Canada, NELSON, Edsby, Let's Talk Science, and others). The organization is governed by an Advisory Council, led by CEO and co-founder Robert Martellacci and Chief Learning Officer & CFO Karen Yamada, and is operationally supported by a secretariat provided by MindShare Learning Technology. Co-founder and President David Roberts passed away on October 3, 2024.

Name

C21 Canada

Legal name

C21 Canada (Canadians for 21st Century Learning & Innovation)

Website

https://c21canada.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

C21 Canada is a national Canadian not-for-profit founded in 2011 that convenes K-12 superintendents and CIOs through its CEO Academy and CIO Alliance networks, and advances 21st century learning via proprietary frameworks (Shifting Minds, Spiral Playbook) and the AI Use Case Initiative with Dell Technologies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Mississauga

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Non-profit Membership and Support: C21 Canada operates as a national not-for-profit organization advocating for 21st century learning models. Revenue is generated through membership fees, supporter contributions, and partnerships. The organization was formed in 2011 and runs on membership and partner support.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

C21 Canada is a national not-for-profit organization that advocates for 21st century models of learning in Canadian education. It delivers value through two leadership networks (CEO Academy for superintendents and CIO Alliance for K-12 CIOs), proprietary research frameworks and publications (Shifting Minds 7Cs, Spiral Playbook, AI reports), and collaborative inquiry programs such as the AI Use Case Initiative conducted with Dell Technologies.

Product overview

C21 Canada is a national not-for-profit organization that advocates for 21st century models of learning in education. The organization offers a portfolio of professional networks (CEO Academy, CIO Alliance), research publications and frameworks (Shifting Minds, Spiral Playbook, AI Task Force Report), and collaborative learning programs (AI Use Case Initiative, Webinar Series). Rather than a unified software product, C21 Canada's offerings consist of advocacy publications, professional development networks, and convening programs that bring together education leaders to advance 21st century learning across Canadian education systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CEO Academy: Pan-Canadian professional network of school system superintendents committed to setting Canadian standards for 21st century learning, innovation and technology in education
• CIO Alliance
• AI Task Force
• Spiral Playbook
• Shifting Minds

Products and services

• CEO Academy A pan-Canadian professional network of school system superintendents (chief executive officers of their district) committed to setting Canadian standards for 21st century learning, innovation and technology in education. Members share a focus on creating cultures of innovation and transformation, and a moral imperative to develop global competencies that students need for their future.
• CIO Alliance A national leadership alliance of progressive public-school CIOs committed to setting Canadian standards to optimize 21st century learning, innovation and technology in schools and homes. The alliance runs a national leadership learning network to share insight, research innovations, and influence the accelerated shift to 21st century learning environments.
• Shifting Minds Framework A national vision and framework for 21st century models of learning in Canada, identifying seven competencies (the 7 Cs) for learning and leading in the 21st century: creative problem solving, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, personal development, global citizenship and digital competency.
• Spiral Playbook A sustainable approach to professional inquiry that aims to transform how educators learn and lead with teams and across networks, describing key ideas for setting a spiral of inquiry in motion.
• The Future of AI in K12 Education Report A milestone document providing a vision that harnesses AI's potential to transform K-12 education while being mindful of ethical and data privacy considerations.
• C21 Canada AI Task Force Report A comprehensive report providing national guidance on responsible AI integration in K-12 education across Canada, establishing an incubator for AI action research across the C21 Canada network with AI Use Case Problem of Practice framework.
• School Beyond COVID-19 A discussion paper connecting insights from CEO Academy members to a national and global conversation about the future of education, focusing on wellbeing, equity and inclusion, and technology use to support learning.
• AI Use Case Initiative A national inquiry initiative exploring responsible AI integration in teaching, learning, leadership, and administration across Canadian education systems, involving multiple rounds of collaborative use case documentation with educational institutions across Canada, conducted in partnership with Dell Technologies.
• C21 Canada Webinar Series Ongoing webinar programming covering topics such as the Future of AI in K-12 education, use case project leadership insights, and other relevant education technology themes, including anniversary webinar series and podcast series.

Quantifiable outcome

• Three rounds of AI Use Case Initiative conducted (Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Spring 2026) documenting practical AI implementation across 20+ Canadian education institutions
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers23 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Dell TechnologiesflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Primary strategic partner for the AI Use Case Initiative. Dell Technologies collaboration includes an incubator for AI action research across the C21 Canada network, with AI Use Case Problem of Practice framework placing students at the centre of intent and impact. Partnership announced at CEO Academy Summit at University of Calgary in May 2024.
• Let's Talk SciencecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Award-winning national charitable organization focused on education and outreach supporting youth development through STEM learning programs. Partnership supports C21 Canada's mission to develop 21st century skills including science and technology competencies.
• CompugencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanada's largest privately owned IT solutions and services provider offering practical, real-world solutions for design and implementation of innovative hardware, software and networking solutions for Canadian business and education.
• EdsbycoreTechnology or IntegrationCloud-based software application combining social networking with class and student management features. Next-generation LMS for K-12 with data aggregation and analytics for students, teachers, and parents. Supports digital learning environments aligned with 21st century learning goals.
• COVE (Centre for Ocean Ventures & Entrepreneurship)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative facility for applied innovation in the ocean sector. Mission to propel the ocean economy through high quality marine infrastructure and collaborative space for ocean enterprises. Represents sector-specific workforce development in innovation.
• NELSONcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanada's largest and leading educational publisher dedicated to evolution of lifelong education. Creates quality innovative solutions supporting needs of students, teachers and instructors to empower learning success.
• University of Toronto MississaugaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSecond-largest division of Canada's largest university with over 15,200 undergraduate students, 900 graduate students, and over 65,000 alumni. Supports education research and development of future educators.
• Sun West School DivisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoverned by Board of Education with overall budget of nearly 58 million dollars. Vision of 'Success for all' with mission of 'learning together.' Guided by values of lifelong learning, leadership, cooperation, accountability, and respect.
• TakingITGlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of world's leading networks of young people learning about, engaging with, and working towards tackling global challenges. Empowers youth to understand and act on world's greatest challenges through innovative global education programs.
• National Film Board of CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanada's public film and digital media producer and distributor. Agency of Government of Canada producing documentary films, animation, web documentaries, and alternative dramas for education.
• MaRS Discovery DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWhere science, technology and social entrepreneurs get help needed. Hub for sparking new ideas and global reputation for innovation supporting education technology ecosystem.
• Microsoft CanadacoreTechnology or IntegrationBelieves education is fundamental human right and most important investment in future of individuals, communities, nation and world. Through initiatives like Partners in Learning, working to ensure children develop digital literacy skills for 21st century workplace.
• University of CalgaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership announced May 2024 for sharing AI expertise at CEO Academy Summit. Hosted landmark launch of Future of AI in K-12 Education report.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Digital Promise: US-based non-profit working on educational innovation and equity, including AI in education initiatives. Thematically adjacent to C21's AI Use Case Initiative and Shifting Minds-style frameworks, but focused on US schools and research-led interventions.
• MindShare Learning Technology: Canadian EdTech firm providing secretariat services to C21 and led by C21's co-founder/CEO. Adjacent rather than competing, but deeply intertwined operationally with C21's convening and content output.
• EdSurge: EdTech media and research organization covering K-12 and higher education. Adjacent to C21's research publication and webinar work, sharing audience with K-12 leaders but operating as a journalism/research outlet rather than a member network.
• Let's Talk Science: Canadian national charitable organization focused on STEM education for youth. Listed as a C21 partner; comparable because of overlapping Canadian K-12 STEM/21st-century-skills mission, though its primary mode is direct program delivery rather than executive convening.

Direct peers

• SETDA (State Educational Technology Directors Association): US association of state-level educational technology directors that produces policy guidance, frameworks and advocacy for K-12 EdTech. Closely mirrors C21's CIO Alliance and Future of AI in K-12 Education policy-report function.
• ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education): US-headquartered professional membership organization for EdTech leaders, offering standards, conferences and professional learning for educators and technology leaders. Highly comparable to C21 in mission, network-based GTM, and standards-setting role for technology in K-12.
• COSN (Consortium of School Networking): US-based association of school district CIOs and EdTech leaders focused on digital leadership in K-12. Directly comparable to C21's CIO Alliance in constituency (K-12 CIOs), advocacy remit, and national convening model.

Regional players

• AASA (American Association of School Administrators): US national association for school superintendents and district leaders. Comparable to C21's CEO Academy in serving superintendents but operates in a different geography, making it a regional rather than direct competitor.
• CCSSO (Council of Chief State School Officers): US association of state school chiefs that influences K-12 policy and standards. Comparable to C21's policy-influencing role for Canadian superintendents but focused on US state-level education leaders.

Broad incumbents

• Canadian Education Association (CEA): Long-established Canadian education research and advocacy organization. Operates broadly across K-12 and higher education policy, overlapping with C21's education transformation advocacy in the same Canadian market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/C21Can

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about C21 Canada