Epilepsy South Central Ontario

What Epilepsy South Central Ontario does

Epilepsy South Central Ontario (ESCO) is a Canadian charitable non-profit organization headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, that delivers free community-based support services to individuals and families affected by epilepsy across South Central Ontario. Formed in January 2017 through the merger of Epilepsy Halton Peel Hamilton and Epilepsy Waterloo-Wellington, ESCO serves a catchment area encompassing Halton, Peel, Hamilton, Brantford, Haldimand/Norfolk, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, and Cambridge, an area covering approximately 40,000 people living with epilepsy. The organization operates two physical offices (Mississauga headquarters and a Kitchener regional hub opened in May 2017) and supplements in-person delivery with Zoom-based virtual programs.

ESCO's service portfolio comprises 12+ distinct programs organized around three pillars: peer and clinical support (EPI-Buddy peer mentorship, individual and group counselling, HOBSCOTCH cognitive support, Clinic-to-Community transition program, Seizure Response Dog information, Seniors Helping Seniors); youth and family engagement (Sunny Days Camp for children aged 5-14, Youth Empowerment Program, Family and Youth Conference); and education, advocacy, and awareness (epilepsy education library, first aid training, SUDEP resources, drug shortage advocacy, the Voices of Epilepsy blog, and the Conversations With webinar series). The organization also retails Purple Ribbon Pins at $5 per unit through an online and in-office storefront.

The organization's revenue model is multi-stream and grant-dependent. Disclosed revenue sources include Ontario Trillium Foundation grants (cumulative disclosed grants of approximately $707,600 across the 2017 Clinic-to-Community, 2017 Rebuild Plan, and 2026 EPI-Buddy Seed grants), corporate foundation donations (TELUS Friendly Future Foundation $20,000 in 2022), pharmaceutical and financial-sector sponsorships (Lundbeck, Pendopharm, Meridian), community retail partnerships (Zehrs/Loblaws raising $59,709 plus a $47,936 cheque, Sobeys raising $40,000+ over 7 years), event fundraising (Purple Gala targeting $150,000 in 2025, gaming nights at K-W Gaming Centre and Rama Gaming House, baseball tournaments, the 300 km You Can Do It bike ride), and merchandise sales. All programs are provided free of charge to clients.

Name

Epilepsy South Central Ontario

Legal name

Epilepsy South Central Ontario

Website

https://epilepsysco.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Epilepsy South Central Ontario is a Canadian charitable non-profit that delivers free counselling, peer mentorship, youth programs, and education to approximately 40,000 people living with epilepsy across nine regions of South Central Ontario, operating from offices in Mississauga and Kitchener.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Mississauga, Ontario

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, monthly giving programs, tribute giving, and securities giving. Fundraising events include galas, gaming events, baseball tournaments, and community events.
2. Government and Foundation Grants: Funding from Ontario Trillium Foundation, Locking Arms Foundation, and other government/corporate foundations. Grants support specific programs like EPI-Buddy Program and clinic-to-community initiatives.
3. Merchandise Sales: Sale of epilepsy awareness items such as purple ribbon pins, with proceeds supporting programs and services.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorship from pharmaceutical companies (Lundbeck, Pendopharm) and financial institutions (Meridian) supporting events and programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Epilepsy South Central Ontario (ESCO) is a charitable nonprofit organization that delivers free community-based support programs for individuals and families affected by epilepsy across South Central Ontario. Its core offerings include the EPI-Buddy peer mentorship program, Sunny Days Camp for children aged 5-14, the Youth Empowerment Program, counselling and support groups, epilepsy education, the HOBSCOTCH cognitive support program, the Clinic-to-Community transition program, and the Seniors Helping Seniors peer support program. Programs are funded by donations, government grants, and corporate sponsorships and are delivered in-person at offices in Mississauga and Kitchener as well as virtually via Zoom.

Product overview

Epilepsy South Central Ontario operates as a non-profit charitable organization offering a coordinated suite of community-based support programs and services for individuals and families affected by epilepsy. The organization provides multiple interconnected programs including the EPI-Buddy peer mentorship program, Sunny Days Camp for children aged 5-14, Youth Empowerment Program with teen support groups and workshops, counselling and support groups, epilepsy education, HOBSCOTCH cognitive support, Family and Youth Conference, Seniors Helping Seniors, seizure response dog information, Clinic-to-Community transition support, travel assistance, and an Epilepsy Shop for awareness merchandise. All programs are free to participants and are funded through donations, grants, and fundraising.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• EPI-Buddy Program A peer mentorship and companionship program that pairs individuals diagnosed with epilepsy with carefully matched volunteers who provide regular visits and social support. Aimed at reducing isolation and building confidence for people living with epilepsy.
• Sunny Days Camp A weekly summer day camp for children aged 5-14 living with epilepsy and their siblings, running in Mississauga and Kitchener to build self-esteem, friendships, and life skills in a safe environment.
• Youth Empowerment Program A program for youth and young adults with epilepsy offering teen support groups, life-skills workshops, writing workshops, and fitness activities such as classes delivered in partnership with 40 Conditioning Inc.
• Counselling and Support Groups Free individual and group counselling services providing emotional support and guidance for people with epilepsy and their families, delivered in person and online.
• Epilepsy Education Educational programs and resources covering epilepsy, seizures, treatments, diagnosis, triggers, first aid, and living with epilepsy for individuals, families, employers, educators, and community members.
• HOBSCOTCH Program A self-management program designed to help individuals address epilepsy-related cognitive, memory, and daily functioning challenges.
• Family and Youth Conference An annual conference bringing together families and youth affected by epilepsy for education, networking, and peer support.
• Seniors Helping Seniors A peer support program connecting seniors living with epilepsy with other seniors for assistance, companionship, and shared experience.
• Clinic-to-Community Program A program that connects newly diagnosed epilepsy patients from clinical settings to ESCO's community-based programs and support services.
• Epilepsy Shop An online and in-person store selling epilepsy awareness merchandise including purple ribbon pins and awareness products, with proceeds supporting ESCO programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• EPI-Buddy Program connects individuals with trained volunteers for peer support, reducing isolation and building confidence through weekly visits.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• Lions Foundation Canada Dog Guides - Seizure Response Dog ProgrammajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 May 2026Guest speaker for Young Adult Support Group webinar on seizure response dog program. Program trains dogs to alert others for help, fetch medical kit or phone, and provide comfort during recovery.
• 40 Conditioning IncminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 August 2017Fitness company owned by former Kitchener Rangers Captain Ben Fanelli providing workout classes for Youth Empowerment Program. Dedicated to providing fitness to people with disabilities and those needing motivation.
• Matthew's Friends CanadamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 June 2017International charity dedicated to ketogenic diet therapy awareness for epilepsy. Partnered with ESCO for golf tournament fundraising and raises awareness of epilepsy impact on quality of life and treatment options.
• MeridianminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCredit union providing corporate sponsorship for events and programs.
• LundbeckminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical company sponsoring epilepsy awareness initiatives.
• PendopharmminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical company providing sponsorship support.
• The Printing HouseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCanadian print company that sponsored new signage for ESCO's central office after previous signage was damaged.
• Toronto Western HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosting free webinar on Disability Tax Credit (DTC) eligibility and application process for people with epilepsy and their families.
• Rama Gaming HouseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGaming facility hosting regular fundraising events where a portion of proceeds support ESCO programs.
• K-W Gaming CentreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerState-of-the-art gaming facility in Kitchener hosting fundraising events for ESCO.
• Canadian Epilepsy AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanada-wide network of epilepsy organizations. ESCO is a member, providing advocacy, support services, information, and public awareness through the alliance network.
• Sobeys (Kitchener-Waterloo)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSeven Sobeys locations in KW have supported epilepsy awareness for over 7 years, hosting BBQs, games, and fundraisers. Raised over $40,000 for epilepsy support and education.
• Zehrs/LoblawsmajorGTM or Marketing Partner42 Zehrs stores across Ontario joined Purple Day awareness campaign, raising $59,709 for epilepsy support centres. Annual province-wide awareness partnership.
• WingsUp!minorGTM or Marketing PartnerWing restaurant providing wings for annual Chicken Wing Competition fundraiser. Described as KW's King of the Wing.
• Battle Arts Academy / Santino MarellaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFormer WWE wrestler Santino Marella donated memorabilia for Purple Gala auction. Battle Arts Academy owned by Marella.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SUDEP Action: Charity dedicated to Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy, which is also a resource area highlighted in ESCO's SUDEP eBrochures. Comparable advocacy, education, and bereavement-support model.
• CURE Epilepsy: US-based non-profit focused on epilepsy research funding and community support. Comparable disease-specific non-profit model with donor-funding, grant-making, and educational programming.
• Epilepsy Ontario: Provincial umbrella body for epilepsy support in Ontario. ESCO is a member organization that delivers community-level services while Epilepsy Ontario runs the scholarship, advocacy, and province-wide initiatives referenced on ESCO's site.
• Canadian Epilepsy Alliance: Alliance of provincial and regional epilepsy organizations of which ESCO is a member. Directly comparable mission (advocacy, awareness, support services) and overlapping member network across Canada.
• Matthew's Friends: International charity dedicated to ketogenic dietary therapies for epilepsy. Listed as an ESCO strategic partner (golf tournament co-host); directly comparable non-profit funding model targeting the same patient community.
• Epilepsy Canada: National federation funding epilepsy research and supporting member agencies. Operates the same disease-focused non-profit model as ESCO but at the national advocacy and research-funding layer.

Broad incumbents

• Epilepsy Foundation of America: Largest US-based epilepsy non-profit offering education, advocacy, and support services nationwide. Comparable disease-focused community model but operates at much greater scale and geographic breadth than ESCO.

Regional players

• Epilepsy Society: UK epilepsy charity combining research, residential care, and community support. Comparable hybrid research-plus-support model to ESCO's HOBSCOTCH and educational programs.
• Epilepsy Action: Major UK epilepsy charity providing helplines, online tools, support groups, and awareness campaigns. Directly comparable service portfolio (counselling, education, peer support) though geographically separate from ESCO.

Others

• Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides: National service-dog charity whose Seizure Response Dog Program is featured in ESCO's program portfolio. Comparable Canadian charitable model with corporate sponsorship, gala fundraising, and grant dependency.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/EpilepsySCO
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCMs-90lDVPBUXoUi4tUv0Zw/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/EpilepsySCO
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/epilepsysouthcentralontario
• Instagraminstagram.com/Epilepsy.SCO

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Epilepsy South Central Ontario