Synergy Foundation
Synergy Foundation is a Victoria, BC-based non-profit that advances circular economy practices across Canada through the BC Green Business certification (600+ SME members) and the nationwide Project Zero business incubator, serving SMEs, rural communities, and Indigenous nations with funding from government grants and corporate sponsors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersVictoria, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Synergy Foundation does
Synergy Foundation is a Canadian non-profit organization founded in 2013 and headquartered in Victoria, British Columbia, operating as an ecosystem enabler for the circular economy. The organization runs two flagship programs: BC Green Business, a sector-specific sustainability certification program with 600+ certified members across British Columbia covering energy efficiency, water conservation, low-carbon transportation, and waste reduction; and Project Zero, a circular economy business incubator that expanded nationwide in 2024. A team of approximately 16 staff plus a seven-member Board of Directors (chaired by Monica Pohlmann) delivers certification support, one-on-one business advising, regional market assessments, and educational resources including Energy Savings Guides for grocery, food & beverage, and retail sectors. The Ecostar Awards Gala, running annually since 2015, has recognized 360+ businesses and engaged 1,400+ community members across Vancouver Island. Additional programming includes the Circular Economy Hub Project (April 2025 – March 2027), the Circular Workforce Development Plan for displaced forestry workers in Port Alberni, the Ditidaht Community School Recycling Depot, and Destination Greater Victoria Circular Economy Strategy pilots.
The organization is funded primarily through government grants (Province of BC via REDIP, Government of Canada via CROI/Indigenous Services Canada/PacifiCan, Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Municipal Fund) and corporate sponsors (Vancity Credit Union, BC Hydro, Alacrity Canada), with a recurring revenue stream from BC Green Business certification subscriptions and free Project Zero incubator participation. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. Synergy Foundation's go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, mobilizing changemakers through regional matchmaking events, an annual awards gala, and direct engagement with three Regional Districts (Alberni-Clayoquot, Cowichan Valley, qathet), Indigenous communities, and SMEs. The technical platform consists of certification checklists reviewed biannually, the Circular Solutions Database, the Circular Economy Essentials online course hosted on Thinkific, and an extensive resource library of reports and guides — there is no disclosed proprietary software, app, or AI/ML capability.
Synergy Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Synergy Foundation
- Legal name
- Synergy Foundation
- Website
- https://synergyfoundation.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Synergy Foundation is a Victoria, BC-based non-profit that advances circular economy practices across Canada through the BC Green Business certification (600+ SME members) and the nationwide Project Zero business incubator, serving SMEs, rural communities, and Indigenous nations with funding from government grants and corporate sponsors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Synergy Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental and Sustainability Certification Services
- NAICS
- Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Circular Economy & Sustainable Products (Reuse, Repair, Upcycling) (BPAGALAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM), Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency (BPADALAM)
Keywords
Where Synergy Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Victoria
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Synergy Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Grant Funding & Government Programs: As a non-profit organization, Synergy Foundation's primary revenue comes from grants and funding from government sources including the Province of BC, Government of Canada (through programs like Canada Retraining Opportunities Initiative), and various municipal funders.
- Program Fees & Certification Revenue: The BC Green Business certification program generates revenue through membership fees for businesses seeking certification and verification services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | BC Green Business Certification |
| Freemium | Multi-year contract | Project Zero Business Incubator |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Synergy Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Synergy Foundation is a non-profit organization that runs the BC Green Business certification program, assessing and recognizing businesses that adopt environmentally responsible practices. It also operates Project Zero, a circular economy initiative combining an incubator, an educational course, and direct business advisory support to help small and medium enterprises embed sustainability and circular-economy practices into their operations.
Product overview
Synergy Foundation is a non-profit organization that operates as a platform of interconnected programs rather than a single unified product. The core offerings include BC Green Business (a certification and support program for sustainable business practices) and Project Zero (a circular economy program comprising a business incubator, an online course called Circular Economy Essentials, and a business support program). Additional products include the Circular Catalyst Program for material exchanges, the Circular Economy Hub Project establishing regional material recovery hubs, and the Circular Workforce Development Plan and Training Project. The organization also delivers various resources including energy savings guides for grocery, food & beverage, and retail sectors, as well as regional market assessments and workforce development plans. The Ecostar Awards program celebrates environmental leadership annually.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BC Green Business: A certification program supporting businesses to identify practical and affordable solutions toward improved environmental and social performance, focusing on energy efficiency, water conservation, low-carbon transportation, and waste reduction.
- Project Zero
- Ecostar Awards
Products and services
- BC Green Business Certification
Quantifiable outcome
- 600+ businesses certified through BC Green Business program
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Synergy Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Synergy Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Synergy Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major and core.
- City of TorontominorListed as a supporting organization/funder of Synergy Foundation programs.
- Destination Greater VictoriamajorPartnership with Delphi for the Destination Greater Victoria Circular Economy Strategy. Synergy is now partnering with DGV to implement pilot projects including a Waste Concierge Program. Also Experiential Tourism award sponsor for 2026 Ecostar Awards.
- City of Port AlbernimajorPartner on the Somass Lands Deconstruction Project and various workforce development initiatives. The city is experiencing economic transition following forestry mill closures.
- North Island CollegemajorEducational partner for workforce training programs including the Somass Lands Deconstruction Project and green building training programs in Port Alberni.
- Light HousemajorPrepared regional market assessments for qathet, Alberni-Clayoquot, and Cowichan Valley Regional Districts to support the Circular Hubs Project. Reports examine construction, renovation, and demolition material flows and diversion opportunities.
- Qatalyst Research GroupmajorConducted the Port Alberni Circular Economy Labour Market Study in partnership with Synergy Foundation and with support from the Canada Retraining Opportunities Initiative (CROI).
- UVic Sustainability Scholars ProgramminorPartnership with UVic Sustainability Scholars Program for the Circular Hub Best Practices Report.
- District of SaanichminorMunicipal partner and Climate Action award sponsor for 2026 Ecostar Awards.
- Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD)majorPartner for the Circular Economy Hub Project and Waste to Resource Material Matchmaking Events. One of three regional districts receiving support for circular economy hub development.
- qathet Regional DistrictmajorPartner for the Circular Economy Hub Project and diversion programs. Regional focus for material reuse and circular economy workforce development.
- Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD)majorPartner for the Circular Economy Hub Project. Focus on Port Alberni economic diversification following forestry mill closures.
- University of Victoria - Gustavson School of BusinessminorTitle Sponsor of 2026 Ecostar Awards. Also Youth Leadership award sponsor.
- Ditidaht Community SchoolminorPartner for the Ditidaht Community School Recycling Depot Project. Grade 8-12 students were involved in all stages of planning and depot operations.
- BC HydromajorPartnership with BC Hydro to develop Energy Savings Guides for Grocery Stores, Food & Beverage, and Retail sectors as part of the BC Green Business program.
- Vancouver Island Coast Economic Developers Association (VICEDA)majorPartnership with VICEDA for the Circular Economy Accelerator Program. VICEDA represents economic developers across Vancouver Island and the coast region.
- Alacrity CanadacoreSynergy Foundation served as the circular economy expert supporting project assessments and contributing expertise across both phases of the CleanBC Plastics Action Fund as part of the Fund's administration team. CleanBC is a program of the Government of British Columbia.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Synergy Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Clean Foundation: Nova Scotia-based environmental non-profit operating sustainability programs, grant funding, and community-based environmental initiatives. Highly comparable operating model and program mix to Synergy Foundation.
- Pollution Probe: Long-standing Canadian environmental charity addressing climate, clean water, and sustainable cities through research, education, and policy advocacy. Comparable as a fellow Canadian environmental non-profit with national reach.
- Alberta Ecotrust: Alberta-based environmental charity funding climate and circular economy projects; Synergy lists Alberta Ecotrust as a partner/funder. Directly comparable as a Canadian regional environmental grantmaking non-profit.
- Evergreen: Canadian national non-profit focused on green cities, sustainable communities, and climate action. Comparable as a fellow Canadian non-profit in the sustainability ecosystem with community-based programming.
- Recycling Council of British Columbia: A British Columbia-based non-profit focused on waste reduction, recycling education, and producer responsibility, directly comparable to Synergy Foundation in mission, geography, and member-based non-profit operating model.
- Circular Economy Leadership Canada (CELC): A Canadian leadership network advancing the circular economy across industries, with overlapping board representation (Synergy's Vice Chair Paul Shorthouse is CELC's Managing Director). Highly comparable mission and stakeholder community.
- National Zero Waste Council: A Canadian national non-profit advancing waste prevention and circular economy, with overlapping focus on business engagement and policy advocacy. Direct peer given similar Canadian national remit and stakeholder base.
Others
- Reos Partners: International social-change consultancy specializing in collaborative multi-stakeholder processes on sustainability; Synergy Foundation's Chair is a Reos Principal. Comparable as a collaborator and enabler in the sustainability partnership ecosystem.
Emerging players
- Light House: Vancouver-based non-profit focused on circular building economy, deconstruction, and material reuse; partner of Synergy on regional market assessments. Comparable as a specialized circular economy player in the same geography.
Broad incumbents
- Delphi Group: Canadian sustainability and circular economy consultancy; partner of Synergy on the DGV Circular Economy Strategy. Comparable as a broader, established player in the same Canadian sustainability advisory space.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Synergy Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceSynergy Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Synergy Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Synergy Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Synergy Foundation 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 Synergy Foundation
What does Synergy Foundation do?
Synergy Foundation is a non-profit organization that runs the BC Green Business certification program, assessing and recognizing businesses that adopt environmentally responsible practices. It also operates Project Zero, a circular economy initiative combining an incubator, an educational course, and direct business advisory support to help small and medium enterprises embed sustainability and circular-economy practices into their operations.
Is Synergy Foundation a public or private company?
Synergy Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Synergy Foundation founded?
Synergy Foundation was founded in 2013. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Synergy Foundation based?
Synergy Foundation is headquartered in Victoria, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Synergy Foundation make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Grant Funding & Government Programs are the primary driver. The others are program Fees & Certification Revenue.
Who are Synergy Foundation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Clean Foundation, Pollution Probe, Alberta Ecotrust, Evergreen, Recycling Council of British Columbia, Circular Economy Leadership Canada (CELC) and National Zero Waste Council. Reos Partners is listed as an others. Light House is listed as an emerging player. Delphi Group is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Synergy Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Synergy Foundation.
What industry is Synergy Foundation in?
Synergy Foundation's product category is Environmental and Sustainability Certification Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGALAF, Circular Economy & Sustainable Products (Reuse, Repair, Upcycling), with a secondary code of BPAGAKAM, Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations. Its NAICS code is 81321 and its SIC code is 8600.