StepUp, Breakthrough in Energy Management

What StepUp, Breakthrough in Energy Management does

StepUp is a volunteer-run, non-profit organization founded in 2019 and headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, with a national mandate to advance gender equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in Canada's energy sector. Its mission is to grow the representation of women in energy-sector leadership and Board positions by fostering allyship, building awareness, and providing tools to individuals, organizations, and partners. The organization was co-founded by Emily Thorn Corthay and Leila Sepahi and is governed by a Board of Directors composed of senior executives from utilities (Hydro One, IESO, Ontario Power Generation, Elexicon Energy, Enbridge, Northland Power, Alectra), the Ontario Energy Board, and the Ontario Ministry of Energy and Mines.

StepUp does not develop or sell technology products. Its offerings consist of community programs: leadership workshops, panel discussions, networking events, webinars, facility tours, an annual StepUp Award for Excellence in Innovation & Leadership, and the Canada-wide EDI Baseline Study — a 2022 research initiative that collected 1,199 survey responses from 145 organizations in Canada's energy sector. Distribution is delivered through in-person events (often hosted at sponsor venues such as Gowling WLG, Microsoft Canada, and Hydro One), virtual webinars, a LinkedIn community, and a Thought Piece content series. Marketing channels include LinkedIn, an email newsletter, Eventbrite, and content marketing.

The business model is sponsorship-and-donation-based, typical of a small non-profit. Revenue is generated through tiered corporate sponsorships (Platinum: Accenture, Hydro One Canada, IESO; Gold: Elexicon; Silver: CIET, CLEAResult, Thorn Associates, Utilis), individual donations processed via PayPal and Stripe, and limited event ticket revenue. Strategic and co-development partnerships with Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC), Natural Resources Canada's Equal by 30 initiative, Efficiency Canada, the Ontario Energy Association, AESP Ontario Chapter, Solar Alberta, and CanREA extend reach. The organization has six volunteer personnel, no paid staff, no venture funding, and no parent company.

Name

StepUp, Breakthrough in Energy Management

Legal name

StepUp

Website

https://stepup-energy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

StepUp is a volunteer-run Canadian non-profit founded in 2019 that advances gender equity, diversity, and inclusion in Canada's energy sector through leadership workshops, networking events, webinars, research (the EDI Baseline Study), and an annual leadership award, serving women, allies, and energy-sector organizations nationwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Energy Sector EDI Non-Profit Services

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

akta.pro primary industry

Leadership Assessment, 360 Feedback & Development Planning (EDABAAAK)

Keywords

• Energy sector diversity programs
• Nonprofit professional development
• Women leadership advancement
• EDI benchmarking research
• Corporate sponsorship partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate Sponsorships: StepUp receives financial support from corporate sponsors at various tiers (Platinum, Gold, Silver). Sponsors support events including leadership workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. Sponsorship prospectus is available for organizations interested in becoming sponsors.
2. Donations: StepUp accepts donations from individuals and organizations. The website includes donation functionality through PayPal and Stripe payment processors.
3. Event Revenue: Some events may have ticket sales revenue. The organization also offers event sponsorship opportunities where sponsors can support specific events.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

StepUp is a volunteer-run Canadian non-profit that advances gender equity, diversity, and inclusion in Canada's energy sector. It delivers leadership workshops, panel discussions, networking events, webinars, facility tours, and the annual StepUp Award for Excellence in Innovation & Leadership, and produces the Canada-wide EDI Baseline Study with actionable recommendations. Programming is supported through corporate sponsorships, donations, and partnerships with utilities, government agencies, and energy associations.

Product overview

StepUp is a volunteer-run non-profit organization, not a technology product company. It offers programs and services focused on advancing gender equity, diversity, and inclusion in Canada's energy sector. Its offerings include networking events, leadership development workshops, panel discussions, EDI research studies, and an annual Award for Excellence in Innovation & Leadership. These are community programs and organizational initiatives rather than software products or technology platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• StepUp Leadership Workshops and Panel Discussions Leadership workshops and panel discussions designed for women and allies in Canada's energy sector to advance leadership development and EDI awareness.
• StepUp Networking Events and Facility Tours Networking events and facility tours that connect women and allies in Canada's energy sector with senior leaders and peer professionals.
• StepUp Webinars (EDI Study Webinar Series and The StepUp Sessions) Virtual webinars and webinar series covering EDI topics, the EDI Baseline Study findings, and gender equity in the energy sector.
• StepUp Award for Excellence in Innovation & Leadership Annual recognition award for excellence in innovation and leadership in Canada's energy sector, presented in honor of former Director Vikram Singh.
• Canada-wide EDI Baseline Study Canada-wide Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Baseline Study providing sector-specific data and actionable recommendations on EDI status in Canada's energy management sector.
• StepUp Thought Piece Series and StepUp Report Published content series and reports providing thought leadership on gender equity, diversity, and inclusion in Canada's energy sector.
• Corporate Sponsorship Program Tiered corporate sponsorship opportunity (Platinum, Gold, Silver) for energy sector organizations to support StepUp's events, programs, and research.

Quantifiable outcome

• Companies with improved gender diversity on boards were 60% more likely to reduce energy consumption intensity, 39% more likely to reduce GHG emissions, and 46% more likely to reduce water use
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 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 core, flagship and minor.

• Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 March 2020StepUp signed the Leadership Accord on Gender Diversity developed by EHRC on March 7th, 2020. This public commitment supports Canadian organizations in promoting and advocating for gender diversity in the electricity workforce.
• Equal by 30 (NRCan)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStepUp is a proud partner of Equal by 30, an initiative managed by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) working towards equal pay, equal leadership, and equal opportunities for women in the clean energy sector by 2030. As a partner, StepUp amplifies the initiative's work to advance the participation of women and gender equity in the clean energy transition.
• Accenture (Platinum Sponsor)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerAccenture is a Platinum sponsor of StepUp's events and programs supporting leadership workshops, panel discussions and networking opportunities in the energy sector.
• Hydro One Canada (Platinum Sponsor)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerHydro One is a Platinum sponsor and hosts StepUp events at their corporate office in Toronto. Provided venue for the Unlocking Leadership Excellence breakfast panel.
• Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) (Platinum Sponsor)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerIESO is a Platinum sponsor, study funder, and strategic partner. Partnered with StepUp on The StepUp Sessions 3-part series and the EDI Baseline Study.
• Elexicon (Gold Sponsor)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerElexicon is a Gold sponsor of StepUp events. Sponsored the Build Your Personal Brand event and provides executive leadership participation.
• CIET - Canadian Institute for Energy Training (Silver Sponsor)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCIET is a Silver sponsor and provided StepUp's first financial sponsorship. Mathieu Cote, Executive Director at CIET, introduced the founders and suggested starting a non-profit for women in energy management.
• Efficiency CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEfficiency Canada is a strategic partner that co-hosted Energy Efficiency Day events and discovery sessions with StepUp.
• Gowling WLGcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGowling WLG provided in-kind support by creating StepUp's bylaws and event space early on. Hosts StepUp events at their Toronto office including the EDI Engagement Session.
• AESP Ontario ChaptercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAESP Ontario Chapter co-hosted the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Energy Sector event in Niagara Falls with StepUp.
• Ontario Energy Association (OEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOEA partnered with StepUp and IESO on The StepUp Sessions 3-part series supporting gender equity and inclusion in Ontario's energy sector.
• Solar AlbertaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSolar Alberta is listed as a partner organization supporting StepUp's mission.
• Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (Blakes)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBlakes is listed as a partner organization supporting StepUp.
• Norton Rose FulbrightcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNorton Rose Fulbright is co-hosting the 2026 Unlocking the Power of the Female Nervous System event with StepUp.
• Microsoft CanadacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMicrosoft Canada provided venue sponsorship for the Build Your Personal Brand event at their Toronto office.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Women in Renewable Energy (WiRE): A non-profit advancing women in Canada's clean energy and electricity sectors through networking, mentorship, and professional development. Directly comparable to StepUp in mission, target audience, and event-based delivery model.
• Women's Energy Network (WEN): A global non-profit dedicated to advancing women in the energy industry through local chapters, leadership programs, and awards. Comparable to StepUp in mission, structure, and event-driven GTM, though operating at much larger scale primarily in the US.
• Catalyst: A global non-profit accelerating progress for women in the workplace through research, consulting, and events. Operates a similar model to StepUp but at much larger scale and across all industries rather than energy-specific.

Others

• Efficiency Canada: A national research and advocacy organization for energy efficiency in Canada and an active strategic partner of StepUp (co-hosts events). Comparable in focus on the energy efficiency/management sector and in non-profit advocacy positioning.
• Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA): Canada's national clean energy trade association whose Director of Policy for Ontario sits on StepUp's board. Operates in the same sector and policy ecosystem, with broader mandate and resources.

Broad incumbents

• Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC): Canada's national workforce organization for the electricity sector, which developed the Leadership Accord on Gender Diversity that StepUp signed. Operates as a broader incumbent addressing workforce issues including EDI, with greater resources and policy reach than StepUp.
• Ontario Energy Association (OEA): Ontario's energy sector trade association, partnered with StepUp on The StepUp Sessions. A broader industry body that could absorb StepUp's gender equity programming into a larger member-services portfolio.
• Minorities in Energy (US Department of Energy): A US Department of Energy initiative advancing underrepresented groups in the energy sector. Conceptually comparable to StepUp's mission and Equal by 30 alignment, with significantly greater institutional backing.

Regional players

• Association of Energy Services Professionals (AESP) Ontario Chapter: AESP's Ontario Chapter co-hosted EDI events with StepUp. A professional association for energy services with comparable event-based education and networking programs, operating at scale across North America.
• Women in Energy UK: A UK-based non-profit supporting women across the energy sector. Directly comparable in mission and chapter-based structure, but operating in a different geography than StepUp's Canada focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stepup-empoweringwomeninenergymanagement

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

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 StepUp, Breakthrough in Energy Management