Improv for Work & Wellness

What Improv for Work & Wellness does

Improv for Work & Wellness (IFWW) is a Vancouver-based applied improv training organization operating through a dual-structure model: a for-profit Improv for Work division and a registered not-for-profit Improv for Wellness Canada Society (incorporated in British Columbia, January 2024). The for-profit arm delivers corporate communication and leadership programs using applied improvisation methodologies, anchored by the 'Yes, and' framework. Core products include Positive & Inclusive Communication workshops, Presentations & Public Speaking, Custom Programs, One-on-One Executive Coaching, and Keynotes & Talks. Pricing starts at $2,500 per 2-hour session (up to 20 participants, 2 instructors), with 50% deposit and 50% post-delivery billing. Programs are delivered in-person at client sites, rented venues, or virtually via Zoom across North America.

The not-for-profit Wellness division delivers donation-funded programs targeting Parkinson's disease (Improv for Parkinson's Levels 1 & 2, Women's Workshops, Summer Series, PiLL Festival), brain health (weekly virtual classes via BC Brain Wellness Program), care partners, seniors, and the LGBTQ+ community (QueerProv partnership). The two divisions are co-funded: revenue from corporate Work programs supports the administration and delivery of Wellness programs. A 30+ facilitator bench spanning Vancouver, NYC, Toronto, and Edmonton includes many dual-career professionals (professional improvisers combined with corporate training backgrounds), enabling geographic flexibility without heavy fixed headcount.

Enterprise customers include Microsoft, Amazon, IBM, TD Bank, RBC, Bank of America, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase, Scotiabank, KPMG, Mercer, FortisBC, SaskPower, ENMAX, Lululemon, BC Children's Hospital, St. Paul's Hospital, Teleflex, UBC, and Duke University. The go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales via a 'Hire Us' contact form with healthcare organization referral pipelines (Parkinson Canada, Parkinson Society of BC, BC Brain Wellness Program). Founded by Dan Dumsha, the company emerged as an independent entity in January 2024 after operating within Tightrope Impro Theatre from 2020-2023.

Name

Improv for Work & Wellness

Legal name

Improv for Work & Wellness

Website

https://improvforworkandwellness.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Improv for Work & Wellness delivers applied improvisation-based corporate communication, leadership training, and executive coaching through a dual for-profit/non-profit structure in Vancouver, BC, serving enterprises and Parkinson's/brain health communities across North America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Corporate Communication and Leadership Training

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (711510)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate/Workplace Wellness Coaching (HSADAGAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Improvisational Theatre (MPAGABAJ), Corporate/Workplace Mindfulness & Stress-Reduction Programs (HSADAJAG)

Keywords

• Corporate communication training
• Executive coaching services
• Team building workshops
• Presentation skills training
• Applied improvisation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver, British Columbia

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Corporate Training Programs: Fee-for-service workplace training programs delivered to corporate clients. Programs include Positive & Inclusive Communication, Presentations & Public Speaking, and Custom Programs. Pricing starts at $2,500 for 2-hour sessions for up to 20 employees with 2 instructors.
2. Executive Coaching: One-on-one coaching partnerships with experienced coaches for C-suite executives, directors, and managers. Addresses presentations, pitches, speeches, and meeting performance.
3. Wellness Program Donations: Improv for Wellness operates as a registered not-for-profit society in British Columbia. Donations fund low/no-cost wellness programs for participants with neurodegenerative conditions. Programs include Improv for Parkinson's, Improv for Brain Health, and care partner workshops.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Improv for Work & Wellness operates a dual-division applied improvisation business. The Improv for Work arm delivers paid corporate training programs—including Positive & Inclusive Communication, Presentations & Public Speaking, Custom Programs, One-on-One Coaching, and Keynotes & Talks—to enterprise clients such as Microsoft, TD Bank, KPMG, and Lululemon. The Improv for Wellness arm, operated through a registered British Columbia not-for-profit society, delivers free improv-based wellness programs to individuals with Parkinson's disease, brain health conditions, care partners, seniors, and the LGBTQ+ community in partnership with Parkinson Canada and the BC Brain Wellness Program.

Product overview

Improv for Work & Wellness operates as a dual-division organization offering improv-powered programs through two integrated arms: Improv for Work (for-profit programs) and Improv for Wellness (not-for-profit society). The Work division provides flagship communication programs including Positive & Inclusive Communication, Presentations & Public Speaking, Custom Programs, One-on-One Coaching, and Keynotes & Talks. The Wellness division delivers community-focused programs including Improv for Parkinson's, Improv for Brain Health, Improv for Care Partners, Improv for Seniors, and QueerProv partnerships. Both divisions share facilitators and are designed so that Work programs support funding for the donation-based Wellness programs. The organization also supports performance troupes including the PD Performance Troupe and produces shows like Dirty Little Secrets and The Spontaneous Shakespeare Company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Positive & Inclusive Communication Workshop program rooted in the improv principle of YES, AND, designed to re-ignite teams' ability to connect, collaborate, and co-create with openness and confidence. Through interactive exercises, participants learn to expand ideas, respond with curiosity, and build solutions together. Sold to corporate teams seeking inclusive communication training.
• Presentations & Public Speaking Flagship program equipping professionals to communicate with clarity, confidence, and presence. Features five transformative modules covering Find Your Voice, Connect with Your Audience, Start with Heart, Think on Your Feet, and Put It All Together. Sold to corporate teams and individual professionals seeking presentation skills training.
• Custom Programs Fully customizable programs that blend improv with practical workplace tools, designed to address specific organizational challenges including team-building, leadership development, and creating inclusive cultures. Sold to corporate clients with bespoke needs.
• One-on-One Coaching Personalized coaching partnerships with experienced coaches to prepare individuals for presentations, pitches, speeches, and meetings. Topics include Communication Strategy, Confidence, Connect with Your Audience, Storytelling for Leadership, and Think on Your Feet. Sold to individual C-suite executives, directors, and managers.
• Keynotes & Talks Interactive keynote presentations aligned with company mission and values, designed to launch meetings, conferences, and group sessions with energy and purpose while demonstrating how communication drives leadership. Sold to corporate event organizers and conference producers.
• Improv for Parkinson's Programs exploring presence, celebrating mistakes, and teamwork through improv skills applied to life with Parkinson's disease. Offered in Level 1, Level 2, Women's Workshops, Summer Series, and PiLL Festival formats in partnership with Parkinson Canada. Free for participants thanks to Parkinson Canada funding.
• Improv for Brain Health Virtual weekly program partnered with BC Brain Wellness Program, helping participants cope with anxiety and fear of living with compromised brain health by practicing presence and releasing expectations through improv. Free for participants thanks to donations and partner funding.
• Improv for Care Partners Workshops for care partners, caregivers, families and supporters of people with Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative conditions, offering skills for accepting unpredictable situations and responding to uncertainty with confidence. Free for participants.
• Improv for Seniors Joyful, connection-focused program delivered in partnership with senior and retirement communities, offering engaging, wellness-focused sessions at senior associations, senior centres, and assisted living residences.
• PD Performance Troupe Canada's first Parkinson's improv troupe, entering its 13th season, focused on applying improv foundations for performance. Troupe members develop ensemble skills and build for two performances per season.
• PiLL Festival Multi-day virtual festival for the Parkinson's community featuring free workshops and a night of laughter and community, funded by Parkinson Canada.

Quantifiable outcome

• PD Performance Troupe has been performing for 13+ seasons and traveled to Barcelona to perform at the World Parkinson's Congress 2023
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers33 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TD BankcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Graduate Leadership Program partnership (2025-2027). Multi-year engagement delivering leadership development through applied improv methodologies.
• TeleflexcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership with medical device company including Physician Leaders Program: Influence & Inspire (2025-ongoing); Anesthesia & Trauma/Emergency Medicine Division: Leadership Summit (2025); Executive Training for Quality, Manufacturing, and Compliance Teams (2023-ongoing).
• FortisBCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Advanced Leadership Development Program; Innovation & Sustainability Ambassador Network; Open Enrollment (2024-ongoing). Multiple program tracks with FortisBC energy company.
• SaskPowercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Leadership Academy Cohorts (2024-ongoing). Multi-year partnership delivering leadership training to Saskatchewan power corporation.
• Parkinson CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor funding partner for Improv for Parkinson's program, Improv for Care Partners workshops, and PiLL Festival. Provides generous funding that enables free participation for people with Parkinson's and care partners. Partnership supports Level 1, Level 2, Women's Workshops, and performance programs.
• BC Brain Wellness ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner6-year partnership delivering Improv for Brain Health program - a weekly virtual class focused on health, wellness, and joy for people with compromised brain health. Program helps participants cope with anxiety and fear through improv techniques.
• Parkinson Society of British ColumbiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration combining improv with commitment to health, wellness, and pursuit of joy. Originally co-created the PD Performance Troupe with Tightrope Theatre. PSBC provides ongoing support for programs and community outreach.
• Queer Improv Society of VancouvercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with registered non-profit organization of queer-identifying volunteers and artists. QueerProv hosts pay-what-you-can improv shows and workshops. Organization's Sarah Dawn Pledge is former Education Director of Queerprov; Aamir Khan is cast member and former board member.
• Mount Sinai HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly partnership where founder Dan Dumsha first delivered Improv for Parkinson's workshops, marking the inception of the wellness journey. Stephen Sheffer facilitated the first-ever Improv for Parkinson's workshop at Mount Sinai in New York City.
• Vancouver TheatreSportsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly collaborator after returning to Vancouver. Dan Dumsha trained and performed as a mainstage ensemble player for seven years.
• Improv Comedy InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly collaborator where Dan Dumsha taught improv on the faculty. Helped expand programs beyond Parkinson's into various wellness initiatives.
• Tightrope Impro TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary collaborator from 2020-2023 where Dan built and led custom improv training for the workplace. Origin of PD Performance Troupe and many current facilitators. Key talent source for current programs.
• UBC Sauder School of BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiana Pavlovská served as faculty member for 12 years. Current partnerships include Physician Leaders Program: Influence & Inspire (2025-ongoing), Master of Health Administration Communication & Strategic Management Leadership Program. Kristen Seer instructs at UBC Sauder School of Business.
• World Parkinson's CongressminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPD Performance Troupe performed at sold-out show in Barcelona at the World Parkinson's Congress 2023, representing Canada's first Parkinson's improv troupe internationally.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• The Improv Centre: Vancouver-based improv theatre whose alumni and faculty overlap with Improv for Work & Wellness (e.g., John Voth, Aamir Khan). Operates in the same city and market for both improv performance and corporate training, making it the closest geographic peer.

Emerging players

• Momentous Comedy: Vancouver-based improv troupe co-founded by Dan Dumsha whose performers also facilitate for Improv for Work & Wellness. Adjacent rather than directly competitive, but a useful comparable for the Vancouver improv community and talent pipeline.
• Vancouver TheatreSports: Vancouver-based improv theatre where Dan Dumsha trained and performed as a mainstage ensemble player for seven years. Operates in the same local improv ecosystem and shares the talent pool, making it a relevant adjacent rather than direct corporate training peer.
• Humor at Work: Smaller consultancy led by Mike Kerr that applies improv and humor principles to corporate leadership, communication, and team-building workshops. Comparable emerging player in the applied improv training niche with overlap in target buyer and methodology.

Direct peers

• Brave New Workshop: Minneapolis-based comedy theatre that has built a corporate training arm using improv and sketch comedy to deliver leadership, communication, and DEI workshops. Comparable to IFWW because it sits at the same intersection of professional improv performance and corporate training delivery.
• ImprovEdge: An applied improvisation company that uses improv-based training to deliver communication, leadership, sales, and team-building programs to corporate clients. Operates as a direct competitor in the same applied improv / corporate training category as Improv for Work.
• Second City Works: The corporate training and communications division of The Second City, the iconic Chicago-based improv comedy organization. It delivers improv-based communication, leadership, and team-building workshops to enterprise clients — directly comparable offerings to Improv for Work & Wellness's for-profit corporate training arm.

Broad incumbents

• iO Theater (Improv Olympic): Chicago-based improv theatre with a corporate training division delivering improv-based team-building, leadership, and communication programs. A broader-established incumbent operating in the same applied improv category as IFWW.
• ComedySportz: National improv comedy franchise with a corporate team-building and training business offering improv-based workshops for corporate audiences. Comparable on the corporate team-building use case though less specialized in executive communication programs.
• The Groundlings: Long-established Los Angeles improv and sketch comedy theatre with a corporate training arm offering improv-based team-building and communication workshops. A larger, more established player in the same applied improv / corporate training space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses6 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/improvforworkandwellness
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/improv-for-work-and-wellness
• Instagraminstagram.com/improvforworkandwellness

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries1 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 Improv for Work & Wellness