Global Citizen Forum
Global Citizen Forum is a Canadian non-profit founded in 2013 that convenes high-net-worth individuals, philanthropists, heads of state, and celebrities through invitation-only annual summits and a year-round membership program, operating across pillars of mobility, sustainability, technology, governance, and culture.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersMontréal, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Global Citizen Forum does
Global Citizen Forum (GCF) is a Canadian non-profit organization founded in 2013 and headquartered in Montreal, operating a platform of curated annual summits and experiences designed to convene global leaders, philanthropists, celebrities, and heads of state around the theme of global citizenship. The organization structures its work around five adaptive pillars—Mobility, Sustainability, Technology, Governance, and Culture—and has built a portfolio of sub-brands including the GCF Institute (research arm), the GCF Award recognition program, the GCF Mini Series video content, and the Butterfly Effect Trilogy (Human Metamorphosis 2022, Earth Age 2023, Future of Wealth 2024). Recent summits have been held in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, under a long-standing partnership with the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), drawing 650+ attendees from 90 countries at the 2022 Human Metamorphosis event.
GCF's core offerings are the Annual Summits and the GCF Membership Program. Summits operate as invitation-only, high-ticket experiences starting at US$1,500 per attendee, featuring celebrity performances, policy discussions, and networking. The membership program provides year-round curated events, exclusive resources, premium concierge services, and access to a closed global community on an annual subscription basis. Supporting revenue comes from corporate partnerships with organizations such as World Government Summit, UNHCR, Prestel & Partner, PANGAIA, and We Are Family Foundation. The organization does not operate a technology platform, app, or API layer—technology is not material to its value proposition.
The business model rests on three revenue streams: recurring annual membership contributions, one-time event ticket sales, and corporate partnership/sponsorship revenue. GCF serves a primary audience of high-net-worth individuals and family offices seeking engagement in global citizenship and generational wealth planning, alongside philanthropists, social entrepreneurs, heads of state and government officials, artists and celebrities serving as ambassadors, and academics and thought leaders. Distribution is primarily through invitation-only events in destination locations, direct membership sales, and institutional partnerships that provide access to government delegations and curated audiences. The organization is founder-led by Armand Arton, with Talimka Yordanova serving as CEO and Wyclef Jean on the board.
Global Citizen Forum firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Global Citizen Forum
- Legal name
- Global Citizen Forum
- Website
- https://globalcitizenforum.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Global Citizen Forum is a Canadian non-profit founded in 2013 that convenes high-net-worth individuals, philanthropists, heads of state, and celebrities through invitation-only annual summits and a year-round membership program, operating across pillars of mobility, sustainability, technology, governance, and culture.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Global Citizen Forum industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Events and Advocacy Services
- NAICS
- Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)
- SIC
- International Affairs (9721)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Executive Summits & Invitation-Only Forums (MPAGAGAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming (BPADAEAK)
Keywords
Where Global Citizen Forum is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Montréal
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Global Citizen Forum business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Membership Contributions: Annual membership contributions that provide access to curated year-round events, exclusive resources, premium concierge services, and subscriptions. Members gain access to a network of global leaders, academics, philanthropists, artists, and entrepreneurs.
- Annual Summit Tickets: Revenue from ticket sales for the Annual Summit, with tickets starting at US$1,500 for the charity gala and summit events.
- Corporate Partnerships: Strategic partnerships with organizations including hospitality partners, tourism authorities, and corporate sponsors who support events and initiatives.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Annual Membership with year-round event access and exclusive resources |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Annual Summit tickets starting price |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Global Citizen Forum product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Global Citizen Forum is a Canadian non-profit organization that convenes an invitation-based global community through curated annual summits (Future of Wealth, Earth Age, Human Metamorphosis), an annual membership program offering year-round access to events, networking, concierge services, and publications. It bridges dialogue with action across five pillars: Mobility, Sustainability, Technology, Governance, and Culture.
Product overview
Global Citizen Forum is a Canadian non-profit organization operating a platform of curated annual summits and experiences for global leaders and changemakers. The core offering includes Annual Summits (such as Future of Wealth, Earth Age, Human Metamorphosis) and the GCF Membership Program, supported by research through the GCF Institute, publications on migration and sustainability, the Global Citizen Tax initiative, the GCF Award recognition program, GCF Mini Series video content, and Global Citizen Gala charity events. The organization focuses on five adaptive pillars: Mobility, Sustainability, Technology, Governance, and Culture.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- GCF Institute: The research arm of the Global Citizen Forum focusing on global governance, mobility, technology, sustainability, and culture.
- GCF Institute - Global Citizen Tax
- GCF Award
- GCF Mini Series
- Butterfly Effect Trilogy
Products and services
- GCF Annual Summits Invitation-only annual themed summits (Future of Wealth, Earth Age, Human Metamorphosis, Future in Motion) that convene global leaders, heads of state, celebrities, and philanthropists for multi-day dialogue, networking, and policy discussions on global citizenship issues. Summit tickets start at US$1,500 and include all meals, a gala dinner, mobile networking app access, and transportation.
- GCF Membership Program Annual membership for global citizens, leaders, and changemakers providing year-round curated events, exclusive resources, premium concierge services, networking with global leaders and decision-makers, workshops, and subscriptions to the GCF community.
- Global Citizen Gala Annual charity gala fundraising events featuring celebrity performances, awards ceremonies, and benefit auctions supporting humanitarian initiatives and partner organizations such as UNHCR.
- GCF Publications Research reports and white papers covering mobility, migration, and sustainable development goals, including joint reports with the World Economic Forum's Global Migration Council.
Quantifiable outcome
- 650+ attendees from 90 countries at single summit event
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Global Citizen Forum
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Global Citizen Forum technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Global Citizen Forum partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Prestel & PartnercorePartnership with the global leader in Family Office Forum conferences to co-create Future of Wealth event. Prestel & Partner brings 15 years of expertise in family office forums to ensure lasting solutions for generational wealth planning attendees.
- We Are Family FoundationcoreCo-founded by Nile Rodgers, foundation promotes cultural diversity and nurtures youth leaders. Two WAFF Youth Delegates hosted panel at Earth Age summit discussing climate justice and peacebuilding.
- RewirEd SummitcoreRewirEd Summit, Dubai Cares' flagship platform advocating for transformed education systems, serves as Knowledge Partner for Earth Age event. His Excellency Dr. Tariq Al Gurg set to open the Annual Summit with keynote remarks on transforming climate awareness into meaningful action.
- OceanShotcorePartnership with coral reef restoration project led by Dr. Deborah Brosnan in partnership with John Paul DeJoria. OceanShot plans to use technology mimicking natural reef design to restore coral ecosystems and protect coastal communities.
- PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors)corePartnership for coral reef restoration initiatives. PADI, with 6,600 dive centers and resorts and 29 million certified divers globally, collaborates on OceanShot project and will develop best practices guidelines for coral reef restoration.
- PANGAIAcorePartnership with purpose-driven materials science company bringing problem-solving innovations to lifestyle apparel. PANGAIA shares GCF's vision of an earth-positive future. Partnership includes behind-the-scenes look at 'Bee the Change' documentary and custom apparel station at summit.
- World Government SummitflagshipStrategic partnership signed December 12, 2022, in Dubai. GCF acts as knowledge partner contributing to World Government Summit's international program of virtual and in-person events, supporting planning and preparation of event agendas, co-hosting sessions, and highlighting key insights across social media platforms. The partnership focuses on anticipating global trends and shaping future governments.
- Gumball 3000corePartnership to bring world-famous Gumball 3000 rally to the Middle East for the first time. Gumball 3000 Foundation provides sporting and cultural memorabilia for auction at GCF's annual fundraiser gala with UNHCR. Since 2013, the Foundation has generated over USD $5 million in donations for global causes.
- UNHCRcorePartnership to provide humanitarian aid and support to refugees and displaced people affected by the escalating crisis in Ukraine. GCF partnered with UNHCR to raise funds and awareness for the biggest refugee crisis since WWII.
- Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA)flagshipLong-standing partnership for hosting annual summits in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. RAKTDA provides patronage and support for GCF events including Human Metamorphosis, Earth Age, and Future of Wealth summits.
- Save the ChildrencoreGCF is a member of Save the Children's Patron Fund. Partnership includes 'Coaching for Life' program with The Arsenal Foundation for children's mental wellbeing in Za'atari Refugee Camp and Jakarta slums, and collaboration on Tanzania refugee children campaign with Wyclef Jean.
- Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI)coreCollaboration on documentary film 'Peace Pioneers' shedding light on South Sudan. WPDI, founded by Forest Whitaker, promotes peace, reconciliation, and social development in communities impacted by conflict through youth empowerment programs.
- Cherie Blair FoundationcoreGCF-supported initiative empowering women entrepreneurs globally through foundation programs.
- Malaika FoundationcoreGCF initiative empowering Congolese girls and their communities through education and health programs. Malaika operates a free school for 314 girls, a community center with 5,000 beneficiaries, and has built 17 wells serving 30,000 people annually.
- Choose LovecoreWorld's first store where you can buy real gifts for refugees. In 2017, raised nearly £1 million and engaged celebrities with positive message. 100% of donations support front line services.
- Crown AgentscorePartnership to provide brighter future for young people in Syria through education programs and livelihoods initiatives. Crown Agents has improved lives of over 311,000 people and 37,000 school children.
- Dignified StorytellingminorInitiative fostering common understanding of how storytelling can maintain dignity of all persons in development and humanitarian contexts. GCF supports the initiative's principles and pledge.
- Save Soil / Conscious PlanetminorGlobal movement launched by Sadhguru to address soil crisis through policy advocacy and citizen engagement. GCF supports the world's largest ecological campaign to save the planet.
- MOAS (Migrant Offshore Aid Station)coreIndependent humanitarian organization providing search and rescue services in the Mediterranean. Since 2014, MOAS has rescued and assisted over 40,000 people on dangerous migration routes.
- RAK PropertiescorePartner for venue hosting at InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa. RAK Properties is a trusted partner for foreign investors with AED 2 billion capital.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Global Citizen Forum competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Atlantic Council: Established think tank convening senior policymakers, business leaders, and experts across international affairs — overlaps with GCF on governance, migration, and sustainability themes but operates as a broader policy institute.
Direct peers
- Concordia: Non-partisan convener of an annual Summit held alongside the UN General Assembly that brings together public-, private-, and non-profit-sector leaders for partnership-driven action — closely aligned to GCF's PPP-style summit model.
- World Economic Forum: Swiss-based foundation famous for its annual invitation-only Davos summit and regional meetings convening heads of state, CEOs, and civil society — the closest comparable to GCF's high-end curated forum format and policy-themed programming.
- Aspen Ideas Festival: Annual thought-leadership festival featuring global leaders, heads of state, and intellectuals — mirrors GCF's mix of celebrity speakers, academics, and policy-driven programming.
- Milken Institute Global Conference: Large annual invitation-only conference convening global leaders across finance, policy, health, and philanthropy — comparable in elite-convening scale and premium paid-attendee economics.
- World Government Summit: UAE-hosted annual government summit that GCF is a formal knowledge partner of; both run invitation-only forums in the Middle East targeting heads of state on migration, sustainability, and governance themes.
- Clinton Global Initiative: Membership-based convening organization running flagship summits where attendees make public 'Commitments to Action' on global issues — parallels GCF's member-driven model and humanitarian focus.
- Bloomberg New Economy Forum: Invitation-only annual forum gathering government, business, and thought leaders to address global challenges — comparable audience, premium ticket pricing, and policy/sustainability themes.
Others
- Arton Capital: Founded and led by GCF's own founder, this citizenship-by-investment advisory firm is an ecosystem adjacent to GCF; comparable customer base of HNW individuals and family offices interested in global mobility.
Emerging players
- Global Citizen (Campaign NGO): Mission-adjacent global-citizenship and antipoverty advocacy organization with major summits and celebrity ambassadors — overlapping cause, audience, and naming, though focused on mass mobilization rather than curated private summits.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Global Citizen Forum social profiles
Digital presenceGlobal Citizen Forum compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Global Citizen Forum financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Global Citizen Forum leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Global Citizen Forum funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Global Citizen Forum 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 Global Citizen Forum
What does Global Citizen Forum do?
Global Citizen Forum is a Canadian non-profit organization that convenes an invitation-based global community through curated annual summits (Future of Wealth, Earth Age, Human Metamorphosis), an annual membership program offering year-round access to events, networking, concierge services, and publications. It bridges dialogue with action across five pillars: Mobility, Sustainability, Technology, Governance, and Culture.
Is Global Citizen Forum a public or private company?
Global Citizen Forum is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Global Citizen Forum founded?
Global Citizen Forum was founded in 2013. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Global Citizen Forum based?
Global Citizen Forum is headquartered in Montréal, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Global Citizen Forum make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Membership Contributions are the primary driver. The others are annual Summit Tickets and corporate Partnerships.
Who are Global Citizen Forum's main competitors?
Atlantic Council is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Concordia, World Economic Forum, Aspen Ideas Festival, Milken Institute Global Conference, World Government Summit, Clinton Global Initiative and Bloomberg New Economy Forum. Arton Capital is listed as an others. Global Citizen (Campaign NGO) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Global Citizen Forum have an API?
No public API is recorded for Global Citizen Forum.
What industry is Global Citizen Forum in?
Global Citizen Forum's product category is Nonprofit Events and Advocacy Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGAGAK, Executive Summits & Invitation-Only Forums, with a secondary code of BPADAEAK, Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming. Its NAICS code is 813 and its SIC code is 9721.