The Square Foundation

What The Square Foundation does

The Square Foundation is a Canadian nonprofit organization (Montreal, founded circa 2015–2016) that operates The Square Academy, an e-learning platform hosted on the third-party Thinkific LMS. The Square Academy delivers continuing professional development for licensed pharmacists, offering modules across Pharmacotherapy (Asthma, Cardiovascular Disease, Chronic Kidney Disease, Chronic Pain, COPD, Diabetes, HIV/AIDS), Pharmacy Practice (Immunisations, Medicine Use Review, Pharmacovigilance, Polypharmacy), and Interprofessional Relationships (Pharmacoepidemiology). Each module consists of 3–4 recorded lectures of approximately 30 minutes, and the catalog is endorsed by the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences (APS).

The foundation pursues a freemium monetization model: the first two modules (Polypharmacy and Pharmacoepidemiology) are free, with subsequent modules sold for a "nominal fee." A higher-tier product, the Certificate of Specialization in Clinical and Oncological Pharmacy, is delivered jointly with Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar (UCAD) and partner universities in Burkina Faso (UJKZ, UNB), priced at $425 USD per semester across a two-semester French-language online program beginning July 2026. Distribution operates through self-serve Thinkific enrollment, university channel partners, and individual scholarships for pharmacists in selected countries, primarily across sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Operationally, the foundation runs on a small core team (Founder Philip Harrison, Board Director Chloé Lortal, Chief Operating Officer Neera Saggar) supplemented by a global lecturer network, and pursues awareness through regional CPD workshops, the Women in Pharmacy Prize (Addis Ababa, 2026), and a Booth #95 presence at the 2026 FIP World Congress in Montreal. Marketing is executed through the website, Thinkific-account email, and event participation rather than paid acquisition.

Name

The Square Foundation

Legal name

Square Foundation

Website

https://squarefoundation.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Square Foundation is a Canadian nonprofit that operates The Square Academy, an e-learning platform delivering clinical pharmacy continuing education modules and an oncology specialization certificate to pharmacists in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Clinical Pharmacy Continuing Professional Development

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

akta.pro primary industry

Healthcare Clinical Professions (CME/CE for Nurses, Allied Health, Pharmacy) (EDAAALAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Healthcare & Clinical Professional Development (CME/CE) (EDAGANAJ)

Keywords

• Clinical pharmacy education
• Continuing professional development
• Pharmacy e-learning
• Pharmacotherapy training
• Pharmacy scholarship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. E-Learning Course Fees: The Square Academy offers the first two modules (Polypharmacy and Pharmacoepidemiology) free of charge. Subsequent modules are offered for a nominal fee. Users pay to access advanced clinical pharmacy content.
2. Professional Certificate Program: The UCAD Certificate in Clinical and Oncological Pharmacy costs $425 USD per semester (approximately 243,135 FCFA), with two semesters total (July-December). This is a paid certification program delivered in partnership with Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar.
3. Individual Scholarships: The foundation offers individual scholarships to support healthcare professionals in selected countries access clinical pharmacy education through The Square Academy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Square Foundation delivers clinical pharmacy continuing professional development through The Square Academy, a Thinkific-hosted e-learning platform offering APS-endorsed recorded modules (Pharmacotherapy, Pharmacy Practice, Interprofessional Relationships) on a Freemium basis, alongside a paid UCAD-issued Certificate in Clinical and Oncological Pharmacy ($425 USD per semester) and individual scholarships supporting pharmacists in selected countries.

Product overview

The Square Foundation operates The Square Academy as its primary e-learning platform for clinical pharmacy education, built on the Thinkific LMS. The portfolio consists of a core e-learning platform supplemented by multiple course modules across Pharmacotherapy (Asthma, Cardiovascular Disease Prevention, Cardiovascular Medicine, Chronic Kidney Disease, Chronic Pain, COPD, Fundamentals of Diabetes, HIV and AIDS Management), Pharmacy Practice (Immunisations for Pharmacists, Medicine Use Review, Pharmacovigilance, Polypharmacy), and Interprofessional Relationships (Pharmacoepidemiology). Two introductory modules — Polypharmacy and Pharmacoepidemiology — are available free of charge, with subsequent modules at a nominal fee. In addition, a standalone UCAD Certificate program in Clinical and Oncological Pharmacy is offered as a joint initiative with Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, delivered in a 2-semester live-online format in French. Individual scholarships complement the e-learning program to support healthcare professionals in selected countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Square Academy e-learning platform A Thinkific-hosted e-learning platform that delivers APS-endorsed clinical pharmacy modules (Pharmacotherapy, Pharmacy Practice, Interprofessional Relationships) on a Freemium basis, with two free introductory modules (Polypharmacy and Pharmacoepidemiology) and paid advanced modules; intended for licensed pharmacists worldwide seeking CPD and clinical skills development.
• UCAD Certificate in Clinical and Oncological Pharmacy A 2-semester online certificate of specialization in clinical and oncological pharmacy developed jointly by The Square Foundation and Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar (UCAD); delivered entirely in French with live online sessions and recordings, intended for Francophone pharmacists (especially in Francophone Africa) seeking specialised postgraduate certification.
• Individual Scholarships Program Foundation-funded scholarships that provide selected healthcare professionals in target countries with access to Square Academy clinical pharmacy education, complementing the e-learning program with financial support.

Quantifiable outcome

• C+D Award 2025 for Training & Development - recognition for transformative role in clinical pharmacy education

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar (UCAD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership with UCAD to offer a Certificate of Specialization in Clinical and Oncological Pharmacy. The program is 100% online, in French, running from July to December 2026. UCAD provides live online sessions and recordings through the Thinkific platform.
• Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences (APS)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPS provides endorsement for Square Academy modules. Upon successful completion, participants receive a certificate issued by The Square Academy with APS endorsement.
• Université Joseph KI-ZERBO de Ouagadougou (UJKZ)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university in Burkina Faso mentioned in UCAD certificate program calendar, supporting the Francophone clinical pharmacy education initiative.
• Université Nazi BONI de Bobo Dioulasso (UNB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university in Burkina Faso mentioned in UCAD certificate program calendar, supporting the Francophone clinical pharmacy education initiative.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists): Major US pharmacy professional society operating an extensive eLearning catalogue and CE offerings for health-system pharmacists. A much larger incumbent in pharmacy professional education, but with overlapping mission of advancing clinical pharmacy competence.
• Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information (Lexicomp): Global healthcare information provider whose Lexicomp and related products serve clinical pharmacists with drug information, clinical decision support, and educational content. Overlapping in clinical pharmacy knowledge delivery, though as part of a much broader healthcare portfolio.

Direct peers

• CEimpact: Subscription-based pharmacy continuing education platform serving US pharmacists with module-based, online CE courses. Materially comparable product offering (online pharmacy CPD), similar target customer (licensed pharmacists), and analogous business model (per-course or subscription pricing for individual practitioners).
• Power-Pak C.E. Long-standing pharmacy continuing education provider offering module-based CE for pharmacists across therapeutic areas. Comparable in product format (recorded-lecture modules with certificates) and target customer, though geographically focused on the US market.
• FreeCE: Pharmacy and nurse continuing education provider with live and on-demand CE offerings. Comparable in delivery model (online CE with certificates) and in mixing free and paid tiers, though serving a US-centric audience.
• TRC Healthcare (Pharmacist's Letter): Pharmacist's Letter and Prescriber's Letter platforms offer subscription-based clinical pharmacy CE with therapeutic-area modules. Highly comparable subscription-driven, modular CPD model and clinical pharmacy content focus.
• Pharmacy Times Continuing Education: Pharmacy-focused CE platform publishing clinical and therapeutic modules with ACPE accreditation. Directly comparable content category (clinical pharmacy modules for pharmacists) and online delivery format.

Others

• FIP (International Pharmaceutical Federation): Global federation of national pharmacy associations that convenes the FIP World Congress — the event where Square Foundation exhibits (Booth #95, Montreal 2026). Related as the international convening body for the pharmacy profession and a potential partnership/funder channel, rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/square-alumni-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 The Square Foundation