UBC ICORD
UBC ICORD is a Vancouver-based interdisciplinary research centre within the UBC Faculty of Medicine that conducts spinal cord injury research, translation, and community programs, serving SCI patients, clinicians, students, and Indigenous youth through its labs, PARC fitness centre, seed2STEM program, and SCIRE evidence resource.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersVancouver, Canada
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What UBC ICORD does
UBC ICORD (International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries) is an interdisciplinary research centre focused on spinal cord injury (SCI), founded in 1995 and located in the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre at Vancouver General Hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia. It operates as a joint initiative of the UBC Faculty of Medicine and the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, with a mission to make SCI preventable, livable, and curable. The centre houses Principal Investigators, Investigators, and Associate Members spanning neuroscience, engineering, kinesiology, medicine, and rehabilitation sciences, supported by graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research staff.
ICORD's programmatic surface consists of four interconnected assets: the core research centre conducting preclinical and clinical SCI studies; the Yuel Family Physical Activity Research Centre (PARC), an adapted fitness facility serving over 500 SCI community members and providing practical training to more than 60 UBC kinesiology students per term; the seed2STEM paid summer research program for Indigenous high school students in Metro Vancouver and Kelowna; and SCIRE (Spinal Cord Injury Research Evidence), a peer-reviewed evidence-synthesis resource for clinicians and consumers. Technical infrastructure includes MRI, electrophysiology labs, locomotion robotics (Lokomat, Ekso exoskeletons), Contact Heat Evoked Potential stimulation (CHEPs), and a Virtual Reality Rehabilitation Environment built on Oculus Rift and Leap Motion.
The operating model is that of a non-profit research centre funded primarily through peer-reviewed grants from Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, NSERC, and other national/provincial agencies, supplemented by donations administered through the University of British Columbia and targeted allocations for stem cell and regenerative medicine research. There is no commercial pricing for research participation; donor support flows toward general research, seed2STEM, and PARC equipment. Distribution of findings occurs through academic publications, the SCInfo Blog, social channels, the Annual Research Meeting, and the SCIRE knowledge-translation platform.
UBC ICORD firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- UBC ICORD
- Legal name
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries
- Website
- https://icord.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- UBC ICORD is a Vancouver-based interdisciplinary research centre within the UBC Faculty of Medicine that conducts spinal cord injury research, translation, and community programs, serving SCI patients, clinicians, students, and Indigenous youth through its labs, PARC fitness centre, seed2STEM program, and SCIRE evidence resource.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
UBC ICORD industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Medical Research
- NAICS
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Centers (HLAFAFAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Neural & Spinal Cord Regeneration (HLAAAGAI), Spine (Orthopedic Spine) (HLAKALAE)
Keywords
Where UBC ICORD is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vancouver
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
UBC ICORD business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Research Grants and Funding: ICORD receives funding through peer-reviewed grants from Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and other national and provincial funding agencies. Principal investigators hold individual research grants as PI or co-PI.
- Donations: The centre accepts donations to support ICORD research programs, summer research programs for Indigenous youth (seed2STEM), and the Physical Activity Research Centre (PARC). Tax receipts issued by University of British Columbia.
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Funding: Specific funding allocations for stem cell and regenerative medicine research at UBC scientists.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One time | General Research Donation |
| Other | One time | seed2STEM Indigenous Youth Program |
| Other | One time | PARC Support Donation |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
UBC ICORD product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ICORD is an interdisciplinary research centre dedicated to spinal cord injury research, conducting preclinical and clinical studies on SCI prevention, functional recovery, and rehabilitation. It operates state-of-the-art laboratories (MRI, electrophysiology, locomotion robotics) and delivers the PARC adapted fitness program for SCI community members, the seed2STEM outreach program for Indigenous youth, and the SCIRE evidence resource for clinicians.
Product overview
ICORD (International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries) is an interdisciplinary research centre focused on spinal cord injury research. The organization operates as a unified research platform comprising several interconnected programs: the core ICORD research centre itself dedicated to SCI prevention and recovery; the Yuel Family Physical Activity Research Centre (PARC) providing adapted exercise facilities and programs for the SCI community; the seed2STEM initiative offering Indigenous youth pathways into STEM research; and SCIRE (Spinal Cord Injury Research Evidence), a knowledge translation resource synthesizing research for clinicians and consumers. Together these programs form a comprehensive ecosystem supporting SCI research, community engagement, education, and evidence-based practice.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PARC (Physical Activity Research Centre): The Yuel Family Physical Activity Research Centre (PARC) is a fitness centre with adapted exercise equipment for people with SCI, offering group classes, personalized training, and serving over 500 local SCI community members.
- SCInfo Blog
- SCIRE (Spinal Cord Injury Research Evidence)
- seed2STEM
Products and services
- ICORD Research Centre Interdisciplinary research centre focused on spinal cord injury prevention, functional recovery, and improved quality of life. Houses preclinical and clinical labs (MRI, electrophysiology, locomotion robotics) and develops therapeutic strategies for SCI. Part of UBC Faculty of Medicine and VCH Research Institute.
- Yuel Family Physical Activity Research Centre (PARC) Community fitness centre with adapted exercise equipment for people with spinal cord injury, offering drop-in opportunities, group exercise classes, and personalized training for over 500 SCI community members.
- seed2STEM Summer research program providing paid 6-week STEM research placements for Indigenous high school students (Grade 9-12) in Metro Vancouver and Kelowna, aimed at increasing Indigenous participation in STEM fields.
- SCIRE (Spinal Cord Injury Research Evidence) Comprehensive online evidence-resource synthesizing spinal cord injury rehabilitation research for health professionals, developed through collaboration between scientists, clinicians, and consumers.
Quantifiable outcome
- PARC serves over 500 SCI community members with adapted exercise facilities
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use UBC ICORD
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
UBC ICORD technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
UBC ICORD partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.
- UBC Faculty of MedicinecoreICORD is an interdisciplinary research centre of the UBC Faculty of Medicine and VCH Research Institute. UBC provides academic infrastructure, faculty appointments, and institutional support for ICORD researchers.
- Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI)coreICORD is co-sponsored by VCH Research Institute, providing clinical research infrastructure and integration with Vancouver General Hospital.
- Rick Hansen FoundationcorePartner in the Community SCI Resource Centre initiative alongside ICORD and Spinal Cord Injury BC. Supports SCI awareness and research translation initiatives.
- Spinal Cord Injury BCcorePartnership in the Community SCI Resource Centre, combining ICORD's research expertise with SCI BC's community outreach capabilities.
- School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME), UBCmajorCollaborates with ICORD on the seed2STEM program for Indigenous youth and shares research infrastructure for biomedical engineering research.
- BC's Gynecologic Cancer InitiativesupportingCo-sponsor of the seed2STEM Indigenous youth research program alongside ICORD and SBME.
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain HealthmajorDr. John Kramer is a member of this centre, facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration between brain and spinal cord injury research.
- University Hospital Balgrist (Zurich, Switzerland)majorDr. Kramer maintains collaborations with colleagues at University Hospital Balgrist for spinal cord injury research exchange and collaborative studies.
- Simon Fraser University (SFU)majorCollaboration with Dr. Victoria Claydon's lab at SFU for hot tub/passive heating research studies. Also collaborates on vestibular system research.
- Lokomat/Balog GristsupportingAdvanced robotic gait training system used for locomotor training research at ICORD.
- Shepherd Center (Atlanta, USA)majorDr. Kramer completed postdoctoral fellowship at the Shepherd Center's Hulse Spinal Cord Injury Laboratory and maintains research connections.
- Canwheel TeammajorNational research team of 14 investigators from 6 universities across Canada focused on enhancing mobility of older adult wheelchair users. Includes ICORD researchers Dr. William Miller and Dr. Bonnie Sawatzky.
- BCIT MAKE+ Applied ResearchmajorDr. Jaimie Borisoff is Director of MAKE+ Applied Research at BCIT, facilitating technology transfer and commercialization of rehabilitation technologies.
- UBC James Hogg Research Centre (iCAPTURE)supportingDr. Christopher West has shared access to state-of-the-art echocardiography equipment through this partnership.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
UBC ICORD competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- University Hospital Balgrist: Swiss university hospital specializing in SCI musculoskeletal medicine, with the Spinal Cord Injury Center in Uniklinik Balgrist. Directly comparable to ICORD with international collaborations maintained by Dr. John Kramer for SCI research exchange and clinical studies.
- Shepherd Center: Atlanta-based private non-profit hospital specializing in SCI rehabilitation and research including the Hulse Spinal Cord Injury Laboratory. Directly comparable to ICORD for SCI clinical research, rehabilitation innovation, and investigator training; Dr. John Kramer completed postdoctoral fellowship there.
- Kessler Foundation: New Jersey-based non-profit conducting rehabilitation research including SCI mobility, neuroplasticity, and assistive technology. Comparable to ICORD for its interdisciplinary SCI research portfolio, investigator training, and knowledge translation into clinical practice.
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis: University of Miami-based research centre focused on spinal cord injury and paralysis research, translational therapies, and clinical trials. Directly comparable to ICORD as a leading interdisciplinary SCI research centre with bench-to-bedside focus and large investigator base.
- Reeve Foundation Research Consortium: U.S. non-profit foundation funding and coordinating SCI research across multiple academic institutions. Directly comparable to ICORD's translational research mission and SCI community engagement, with parallel focus on accelerating cures and improving quality of life for people with SCI.
- Kennedy Krieger Institute: Johns Hopkins-affiliated non-profit research and rehabilitation institution with strong SCI/rehabilitation research portfolio. Comparable to ICORD for combining neuroscience research with rehabilitation engineering and clinical translation.
- Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital: University of Utah-affiliated rehabilitation hospital dedicated to SCI research and clinical care. Directly comparable to ICORD as a major U.S. SCI research and rehabilitation hub with both clinical trials and community integration programs.
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLab: Chicago-based research hospital focused on physical medicine and rehabilitation, with significant SCI research, including robotics, exoskeletons, and translational rehabilitation science. Comparable to ICORD for its interdisciplinary rehab research model and use of advanced rehabilitation technologies like Lokomat robotics.
Regional players
- Rick Hansen Foundation: Canadian foundation dedicated to SCI awareness, accessibility, and research translation. A core strategic partner of ICORD in the Community SCI Resource Centre initiative, with comparable focus on SCI community impact and research dissemination in Canada.
- Spinal Cord Injury BC (SCI BC): British Columbia-based non-profit providing community services and peer support to people with SCI. Comparable to ICORD as a core partner in the Community SCI Resource Centre, combining research expertise with community outreach for the BC SCI population.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
UBC ICORD social profiles
Digital presenceUBC ICORD financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
UBC ICORD leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
UBC ICORD funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
UBC ICORD 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 UBC ICORD
What does UBC ICORD do?
ICORD is an interdisciplinary research centre dedicated to spinal cord injury research, conducting preclinical and clinical studies on SCI prevention, functional recovery, and rehabilitation. It operates state-of-the-art laboratories (MRI, electrophysiology, locomotion robotics) and delivers the PARC adapted fitness program for SCI community members, the seed2STEM outreach program for Indigenous youth, and the SCIRE evidence resource for clinicians.
Is UBC ICORD a public or private company?
UBC ICORD is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was UBC ICORD founded?
UBC ICORD was founded in 1995.
Where is UBC ICORD based?
UBC ICORD is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, in the North America region.
How does UBC ICORD make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Research Grants and Funding is the primary driver. The others are donations and stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Funding.
Who are UBC ICORD's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are University Hospital Balgrist, Shepherd Center, Kessler Foundation, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Reeve Foundation Research Consortium, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Regional players are Rick Hansen Foundation and Spinal Cord Injury BC (SCI BC).
Does UBC ICORD have an API?
No public API is recorded for UBC ICORD.
What industry is UBC ICORD in?
UBC ICORD's product category is Medical Research. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAFAFAM, Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Centers, with a secondary code of HLAAAGAI, Neural & Spinal Cord Regeneration. Its NAICS code is 54171 and its SIC code is 8731.