University of Alberta Students' Union

Name

University of Alberta Students' Union

Legal name

University of Alberta Students' Union

Website

https://uasu.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Edmonton, Alberta

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Student Membership Fees: Mandatory fees from undergraduate students providing funding for UASU operations, services, and advocacy
2. Business Operations: Revenue from UASU-operated businesses including SUBmart (convenience store), Daily Grind (coffee shop), Dewey's (campus pub), Room At The Top (restaurant/bar), SUBprint (printing services), and Horowitz Events Centre. All profits are reinvested into student services and programming.
3. Sponsorship & Advertising: Revenue from sponsorships, advertising in SUB, on SUTV, in student handbook, and event sponsorship

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The UASU is the student-governed, non-profit representative body for University of Alberta undergraduates, operating the eight-floor Students' Union Building (SUB) as a campus hub. It runs wholly-owned businesses — SUBmart (convenience store), SUBprint (printing), Daily Grind (coffee shop), Dewey's (campus bar), Room At The Top (bar/lounge), and Horowitz Events Centre (events venue) — and delivers student services including Health and Dental Plan, U-Pass transit, Peer Support Centre, Safewalk, Campus Food Bank, Access Fund financial aid, and the SEED Fund sustainability grants.

Product overview

The University of Alberta Students' Union operates a portfolio of student-facing businesses and services centered around the Students' Union Building (SUB). The core offering is the eight-floor SUB facility, which houses multiple retail and food businesses including SUBmart (convenience store), SUBprint (printing services), Daily Grind (coffee shop), Dewey's (campus bar), Room At The Top (pub/lounge), and the Horowitz Events Centre (events venue). Beyond these commercial operations, the UASU provides essential student services such as Health and Dental Plan, U-Pass transit access, Peer Support Centre, Safewalk, Campus Food Bank, and the Access Fund for financial assistance. The organization also supports student initiatives through the SEED Fund grant program (up to $10,000 for sustainability projects), UASU Awards recognition program, and events like Week of Welcome. Revenue from UASU businesses funds student programs and services, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem serving over 40,000 undergraduate students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SUBmart: Campus convenience store offering snacks, groceries, health and beauty products, and UASU branded merchandise
• SUBprint
• Daily Grind
• Dewey's
• Room At The Top (RATT)
• Horowitz Events Centre
• UASU Perks
• SEED Fund

Products and services

• SUBmart Campus convenience store offering snacks, grocery items, health and beauty products, school supplies, and UASU branded merchandise at wallet-friendly prices for students and the campus community.
• SUBprint Full-service printing facility offering digital printing, binding, large format printing, banner stands, and coursepack production for students and the public, with online ordering and University Speedcode payment.
• Daily Grind Campus coffee shop serving certified fair trade and organic coffee, espresso drinks, teas, smoothies, and fresh-baked goods.
• Dewey's Campus bar and pub located in the historic North Power Plant building offering food, drinks, trivia nights, karaoke, and music bingo events for students and staff.
• Room At The Top (RATT) Campus bar and lounge located seven floors above campus atop SUB, featuring panoramic views of Edmonton, full-service bar, and food menu.
• Horowitz Events Centre Event venue within SUB offering versatile spaces and services for concerts, comedy, weddings, and other events since 1967.
• Students' Union Building (SUB) Eight-floor campus hub housing food court, pharmacy, print shop, convenience store, medical clinic, quiet study spaces, event theatre, bookstore, and optometrist.
• U-Pass Transit pass program providing students with access to Edmonton transit services included in student fees.
• Peer Support Centre Student-run service providing peer support, listening, and resource referrals for students on campus.
• Safewalk Safety escort service walking students across campus during evening hours.
• Campus Food Bank Emergency food assistance service for students experiencing food insecurity.
• Health and Dental Plan Extended health and dental insurance coverage for undergraduate students included in student fees.
• Access Fund Non-repayable financial assistance for undergraduate students ineligible for student loans or lacking access to sufficient funding.
• SEED Fund Grant program offering up to $10,000 for student-led sustainability projects addressing food security, accessible infrastructure, or student well-being.
• UASU Awards Recognition program celebrating outstanding leadership and involvement of University of Alberta undergraduate students through involvement, centenary, student group, and SALUTE awards.
• Week of Welcome Annual welcoming event series for new students at the start of the academic year featuring activities, tours, and social events.
• Bike Library and Workshop Bike lending program allowing students to borrow bicycles for campus transportation, supporting sustainable mobility.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 200 staff employed serving the student community
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Hula PokeminorOthersFood court tenant operating within SUB, providing poke bowl options to students. One of several food vendors in the building.
• BarBurritominorOthersFood court tenant operating within SUB, providing Mexican food options. Located on main floor.
• University of Alberta BookstoreminorOthersRetail tenant within SUB offering textbooks, merchandise, and academic supplies. Located in SUB.
• CJSR FM RadiominorOthersCampus radio station operating from space within SUB, providing student media opportunities.
• The GatewayminorOthersStudent newspaper operating from SUB, providing journalism experience for students.
• DishZerocoreTechnology or IntegrationSustainability initiative providing reusable takeout containers and mugs on campus. Started as a SUB-based pilot program, reduces single-use waste through a dish-sharing system. Funded through SEED Fund.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• University of Toronto Students' Union: Largest Canadian student union serving University of Toronto undergraduates. Operates with a comparable mandate of advocacy, services, and business operations, including health plans, food outlets, and event venues funded through mandatory student fees.
• McGill Students' Society: Student society serving McGill undergraduates with comparable advocacy mandate, health/dental plan administration, and operation of student-run businesses (cafe, bar, pub, printing). Directly comparable in scale and service scope.
• Student Federation of the University of Ottawa: Student federation serving University of Ottawa undergraduates with similar service portfolio, advocacy role, and operation of student-facing businesses. Direct peer in mandate and revenue model.
• Alma Mater Society of UBC Vancouver: Student society serving UBC Vancouver undergraduates with similar governance, student services portfolio, and business operations (food, retail, events). Closely comparable non-profit student union structure funded by mandatory membership.
• Dalhousie Student Union: Student union serving Dalhousie undergraduates with comparable services, advocacy, and student-run businesses funded by mandatory fees. Operates the Student Union Building as central campus hub similar to UASU's SUB.
• Alma Mater Society of Queen's University: Student society serving Queen's University undergraduates with a similar mandate of advocacy, services, and student-run businesses. Operates the Queen's Centre and comparable fee-funded programs.
• University Students' Council of Western University: Student council serving Western University undergraduates with comparable services (health plan, businesses, advocacy) and building-based operations. One of the largest student-run organizations in Canada with a similar scale and scope.
• University of Calgary Students' Union: Alberta-based peer student union serving University of Calgary undergraduates with similar services, businesses, and governance structure. Strongest regional comparison given shared provincial policy and labor market context.
• Federation of Students, University of Waterloo: Student federation serving Waterloo undergraduates with a similar portfolio of services, businesses, and advocacy programs funded by mandatory fees. Comparable in scale and operational complexity.
• Simon Fraser University Student Society: Student society serving SFU undergraduates with comparable advocacy, services (health/dental, transit, food bank), and business operations. Direct peer in operating model and student union governance.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/UASUualberta
• Xtwitter.com/UASUualberta
• Instagraminstagram.com/uasupubs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/university-of-alberta-students'-union

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries6 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 University of Alberta Students' Union