EPIC-Network

What EPIC-Network does

EPIC-Network (EPIC-N) is a Madison, Wisconsin-based nonprofit association founded in 2017 that coordinates institutions adopting the EPIC Model, a framework for university-community partnerships focused on ecosystem-based adaptation, climate resilience, and sustainability. The organization operates four regional networks — EPIC-LAC (Latin America and Caribbean), EPIC-Asia, EPIC-Africa, and EPIC-USA — each designed to mobilize academic institutions, local governments, and community organizations to collaborate on place-based environmental projects. With 9 employees, EPIC-N functions as a coordinating hub rather than a research or technology enterprise, providing a shared methodology, a project repository, and convening functions for participating institutions.

The core product is the EPIC Model itself, packaged with implementation tools including a project library of 1,800+ documented initiatives, a Toolbox of templates and guidance, and curated training programs. Revenue is generated through a tiered membership structure: individual membership is free, a suggested individual contribution is $100-$250 annually, and program memberships for institutions range from $500 to $5,000 per year. EPIC-N also accepts voluntary contributions from supporters and receives grant funding from multilateral bodies such as UNEP, IUCN, IKI Germany, and the Global EbA Fund for specific initiatives.

The customer base is composed of universities, colleges, and local government agencies distributed across multiple continents, with no single anchor account contributing a disproportionate share. As a non-revenue-maximizing nonprofit, EPIC-N's growth is best measured by participation in its regional networks, number of partner institutions, and project pipeline rather than traditional revenue KPIs. The operating model is partnership-intensive, with international awards and recognition (Integrating City award, NYT coverage) supplementing the membership base as signaling mechanisms.

Name

EPIC-Network

Legal name

EPIC-Network

Website

https://epicn.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

EPIC-Network is a Madison, Wisconsin-based nonprofit that coordinates universities and local governments across four regional networks for university-community partnerships on climate adaptation and ecosystem-based projects, funded through membership tiers and multilateral grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

University-Community Partnership Networks

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Sector Coordination, Clusters & Working Groups (EDADALAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Academic & Education Conference Organizers (THAHACAE), Mentoring, Coaching, Alumni Networking & Peer Support Platforms (EDAFAMAN)

Keywords

• University-community partnerships
• Nonprofit association networks
• Civic engagement programs
• Sustainability action learning
• Municipal capacity building

Headquarters

HQ city

Madison

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Contributions: EPIC-N operates as a nonprofit association funded primarily through voluntary membership contributions. Contributions are sliding-scale based on program budget and annual funding levels. The membership contribution tiers range from $500/year (Developing) to $5,000/year (Champion), with individual memberships suggested at $100-250/year.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

EPIC-Network coordinates a global association of institutions that adopt the EPIC Model for university-community partnership. The core service connects universities' human capital—faculty, students, laboratories, and research libraries—with local governments and communities to deliver real-world projects addressing sustainability, urban planning, economic development, and social equity challenges. Membership is supported through the Member Commons online platform providing access to the Project Library, Toolbox, courses, and peer forums.

Product overview

EPIC-Network (EPIC-N) is a nonprofit association of institutions that adopt the award-winning EPIC Model for university-community partnership. The organization provides a network connecting universities with local governments and communities to improve quality of life through academic resources. The core offering is the EPIC Model itself, supported by the Member Commons online platform which provides access to the Toolbox, Courses, Forum, and Project Library. The network operates through regional divisions including EPIC-Latin America & the Caribbean, EPIC-Asia, EPIC-Africa, and EPIC-United States, with additional resources like the Start Up Toolkit available to members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EPIC-Latin America & the Caribbean (EPIC-LAC): Regional network coordinating EPIC Model programs in Latin America and the Caribbean region.
• EPIC-Asia
• EPIC-Africa
• EPIC-United States
• EPIC Model

Products and services

• EPIC Model

Quantifiable outcome

• 800% ROI for City of Lemon Grove through SDSU Sage Project partnership
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UNEP-GAN (Global Environment Action)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 October 2021UNEP-GAN awarded Seed Grants to expand EPIC Model programs across Asia. Recipients include Thammasat University Research Unit in Urban Futures and Policy and An Giang University Research Center for Rural Development.
• START InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTART International collaborates with EPIC-N on initiatives including EPIC-Africa and commissioned mini-documentaries highlighting impactful work in Harare.
• SDSN-Thailand (Sustainable Development Solutions Network)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThammasat University Research Unit in Urban Futures and Policy is a member of SDSN-Thailand, supporting sustainable development solutions in Thailand.
• Costa Salvaje A.C.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner helping build infrastructure near community board for collecting and processing trash in Los Laureles Canyon restoration project.
• Rancho Las Flores CommunitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner in Los Laureles Canyon ecosystem restoration project with Universidad Iberoamericana Tijuana.
• CONICET (National Scientific and Technical Research Council)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCONICET collaborates with University of Buenos Aires and local educational institutions on Mapuche community climate adaptation project.
• National University of the Northwest of Buenos Aires ProvinceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with University of Buenos Aires in transdisciplinary approach for Campo La Cruz Mapuche community climate adaptation project.
• Sustainability Research and Innovation CongresscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner2025 EPIC-N Conference held in partnership with the Sustainability Research and Innovation Congress in Chicago, Illinois.
• ISTIC (International Science, Technology and Innovation Centre)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEPIC-N participates in science diplomacy workshops and collaborations with ISTIC and other international organizations.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Echoing Green: Social innovation fellowship organization supporting emerging leaders driving community impact; adjacent, emerging player in the changemaker/social-impact education space intersecting with EPIC-N's mission.

Direct peers

• Community-Campus Partnerships for Health (CCPH): Nonprofit membership organization promoting health equity through university-community partnerships; directly comparable in mission and structure as a coalition facilitating community-engaged scholarship.
• Bonner Network: Network of colleges and universities running community service and civic engagement programs; comparable membership-based model coordinating student-community partnerships across campuses.
• NetVUE: Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education supporting faculty and institutions on vocation/career-oriented programming; comparable as a higher-ed membership network offering resources, conferences, and peer learning.
• Ashoka U: Network of colleges and universities advancing changemaker education and social innovation; closely comparable as a membership network supporting institutions embedding community impact into curricula.
• Campus Compact: National coalition of colleges and universities committed to community engagement and civic education; directly comparable as a membership-based network advancing university-community partnerships in higher education.
• Imagining America: Consortium of universities advancing publicly engaged humanities, arts, and design; comparable as a higher-education membership network promoting community-based scholarship and impact.

Broad incumbents

• Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN): Global network mobilizing universities for sustainable development; a larger incumbent in adjacent space with comparable university-network and sustainability/SDG orientation.
• Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U): Higher-ed initiative supporting student-led commitments to social impact; broader incumbent in the student-change-maker space with a different delivery model but overlapping mission.
• Association of American Colleges & Universities (AAC&U): Established higher-ed association advancing liberal education including community-based and civic learning; a broader incumbent that addresses EPIC-N's space as part of a much wider portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EPICNtweet
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/epicn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 EPIC-Network