COALITION OF INNOVATION LEADERS ADVANCING RESPECT

What COALITION OF INNOVATION LEADERS ADVANCING RESPECT does

CILAR (Coalition of Innovation Leaders Advancing Respect) is a Canadian non-profit coalition operating in the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) space within the country's technology and innovation sector. The organization serves underrepresented cohorts — including Black founders, Indigenous communities, women, and youth — through a portfolio of programs spanning AI education, mentorship, hackathons, leadership development, and direct grantmaking. Core programs include AI Powered Futures (delivered with the Walmart Foundation), the Algorithm for Change hackathon series (with CRRF), ACCELERATE Leadership (with Future Skills Centre), the Talent Playbook (co-created with HP Canada and KPMG), and the Black-led Business Grant Program (supported by Meta). CILAR has set a public 2030 target to equip 100,000 Canadians with AI skills.

On the technology side, CILAR has built Hate Shield, a hate-speech detection tool that ensembles multiple pre-trained NLP models — RoBERTa, Twitter RoBERTa, DehateBERT, and the Vidgen Model — and integrates Google AI Essentials into its curriculum. On the operational side, the coalition runs a lean core staff of approximately 5-8 people, supported by a broader contributor network, and operates programs at no cost to participants.

CILAR's revenue model is multi-stream and grant-driven: it draws on (i) corporate membership fees from 42+ organizations that include TD Bank, Google, Meta, KPMG, and Walmart, (ii) foundation grants (notably Walmart Foundation and Future Skills Centre), and (iii) government grants. Programs are delivered free to participants, positioning CILAR as a bridge between corporate DEI commitments and underserved tech talent pools in Canada. Distribution is extended through partnerships such as the Toronto Public Library.

Name

COALITION OF INNOVATION LEADERS ADVANCING RESPECT

Legal name

Coalition of Innovation Leaders Advancing Respect

Website

https://cilar.ca

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CILAR is a Canadian non-profit coalition advancing DEI in the tech and innovation sector through AI education, mentorship, hackathons, and grant programs for underrepresented founders and youth, funded by 42+ corporate members and major foundations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development and Inclusion Programs

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Services (611), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Engineering & Technical Professions (PE, Engineering CPD) (EDAAALAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Advanced Project-Based Learning & Portfolio Mentoring (STEM/arts portfolios, maker projects) (EDANAKAI)

Keywords

• Diversity inclusion programs
• Executive mentorship programs
• Ai skills training
• Leadership development
• Community coalition building

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Corporate Membership Fees: CILAR generates revenue through corporate membership fees from organizations like MaRS, MLSE, Siemens, Toronto Public Library, HP, Walmart Canada, NFQ Ventures, Deloitte, OMERS, Google, Meta, KPMG, McCarthy Tetrault, JPMorgan Chase, Sun Life, and Canadian Football Centre. Members gain access to programs and contribute to the coalition's mission.
2. Foundation and Government Grants: Funding received from foundations and government sources including Walmart Foundation (AI Powered Futures), Government of Canada's Future Skills Centre (ACCELERATE Leadership), Canadian Race Relations Foundation (Algorithm for Change), and Meta/Facebook (Black-led Business Grants).
3. Program Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors provide funding and support for specific programs. Examples include Siemens hosting LeadInTech events, Toronto Public Library providing venue for hackathons.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CILAR is a national non-profit coalition that designs and delivers educational, mentorship, leadership, and workforce development programs aimed at advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in Canada's tech and innovation sector. Its portfolio spans AI and digital skills upskilling, reciprocal executive mentoring for BIPOC professionals, EDI leadership training for corporate executives, AI-driven hackathons to combat online hate, business grants for Black-led entrepreneurs, and recognition awards. Programs are offered free to participants and funded through corporate memberships, foundation grants, and government sponsorships.

Product overview

CILAR is a national non-profit platform rather than a traditional technology product company. Its offerings consist of multiple educational, mentorship, and workforce development programs: Algorithm For Change (AI-driven hackathon for hate speech detection), AI Powered Futures (AI upskilling with microcredentials), ACCELERATE Mentorship (reciprocal executive-BIPOC mentoring), ACCELERATE Leadership (EDI leadership training), Aspiring Innovators Award (annual BIPOC innovation recognition), Power Of One (dialogue series), LeadInTech (executive learning journeys), Black Led Grants (business funding program), Talent Playbook (HR framework), and CILAR Events (Knowledge Exchange). These programs work together to advance the organization's mission of equipping 100,000 future-ready Canadians with AI and digital skills by 2030, particularly from underrepresented communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Algorithm For Change A hackathon program that empowers underrepresented Canadians to address hate speech through AI-driven solutions. Participants develop tools to detect and counter hate speech and influence corporate algorithms.
• AI Powered Futures A first-of-its-kind pilot program designed to transform how retail and retail-adjacent workers prepare for the future of work across Canada. The program provides AI-driven education, employer-recognized microcredentials from The Chang School at Toronto Metropolitan University, and mentorship.
• ACCELERATE Mentorship A reciprocal mentoring initiative that pairs executives (coaches) with Black and Indigenous aspiring leaders (coachees) to accelerate leadership journeys and foster diverse and inclusive leadership in the tech and innovation space.
• ACCELERATE Leadership A three-month virtual program designed to equip leaders with knowledge and skills to champion equity, diversity, and inclusion across products, services, and programs. Delivered through 7 online Inclusive Leadership Labs with optional in-person events.
• Aspiring Innovators Award An annual award recognizing Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Colour (BIPOC) aspiring innovators and allies who positively impact their communities through contributions to the innovation ecosystem across Canada and globally.
• Power Of One A transformative dialogue initiative featuring conversations between industry leaders on topics of identity, faith, community, and confronting hate and discrimination in Canadian society.
• LeadInTech An exclusive Executive Learning Journey developed by CILAR designed to unite leaders from diverse backgrounds to foster creativity, innovation, and inclusivity in tackling global challenges, promoting personal growth, and advancing equity.
• Black Led Grants A Black-led Business Grant Program providing grants to Black business owners and entrepreneurs to support innovation and growth in the innovation economy.
• Talent Playbook A co-created roadmap by HP Canada and KPMG for creating a more equitable and diverse workforce. The playbook addresses systemic racism and lack of inclusivity in firms, focusing on inclusive talent engagement, anti-racism performance management processes, and succession planning.
• CILAR Knowledge Exchange Events Monthly Knowledge Exchange events connecting tech and innovation leaders in the CILAR community to gain exclusive insights and stay at the forefront of change.

Quantifiable outcome

• 270 executives in reciprocal mentoring relationships
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Siemens CanadacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 April 2024Host of ACCELERATE Mentorship's first-ever LeadInTech executive learning journey event on April 17, 2024. Siemens President and CEO Faisal Kazi initiated the event with talk on digital transformation.
• Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRRF National Anti-Racism Fund partnership for Algorithm for Change hackathon series. CRRF provides funding and credibility for the program addressing hate speech and algorithmic bias affecting BIPOC communities.
• KDPM Consulting GroupcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDelivery partner for ACCELERATE Leadership program. KDPM provides consulting expertise for program design and delivery, including Karlyn Percil as guest speaker on inclusive leadership.
• TD Bank GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in ACCELERATE Leadership program delivery. TD executives serve as guest speakers and program champions. Rizwan Khalfan, Chief Digital and Payments Officer, participates as Leadership Lab speaker.
• BlueprintcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProgram evaluation partner for ACCELERATE Leadership. Blueprint conducts pre/post program surveys and analysis to measure program effectiveness and impact on participants.
• Black Opportunity FundcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDelivery partner for Black-led Business Grant Program. Black Opportunity Fund assists with program delivery and applicant outreach to Black entrepreneurs across Canada.
• Pitch BettercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDelivery partner for Black-led Business Grant Program. Pitch Better provides expertise in startup support and grant program delivery.
• HP CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-creator of the CILAR Talent Playbook. HP Canada collaborated with KPMG and CILAR to develop the comprehensive guide for addressing systemic racism in firms.
• KPMG CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-creator of the CILAR Talent Playbook. KPMG contributed expertise in talent management and organizational change to develop the playbook.
• Toronto Metropolitan University - The Chang SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvider of employer-recognized microcredentials for AI Powered Futures program. Curv microcredentials from The Chang School ensure skills are trusted and immediately applicable to employers.
• Toronto Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for Algorithm for Change hackathons. Toronto Public Library provides locations including Appel Salon at Toronto Reference Library and collaborates on digital literacy initiatives.
• GooglesupportingTechnology or IntegrationDeliver partner for AI Powered Futures. Google provides AI Essentials course as foundational curriculum for program participants before advancing to specialized microcredentials.
• DiscosupportingTechnology or IntegrationLearning management system platform for AI Powered Futures program delivery. Disco hosts courses for engaging, scalable learning experiences.
• WizLearningsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDeliver partner for AI Powered Futures program. WizLearning contributes to program delivery and content development.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• MaRS Discovery District: Toronto-based innovation hub supporting tech entrepreneurs and ventures. Broader incumbent in the Canadian tech ecosystem where CILAR operates; CILAR co-founder Yung Wu is MaRS's retired CEO, making it an adjacent institutional player rather than direct programmatic peer.

Direct peers

• Black Girls CODE: Non-profit dedicated to teaching coding and technology skills to Black girls and other girls of color. Direct peer in tech-focused education and inclusion programming for underrepresented youth.
• NPower: Non-profit that creates pathways to tech careers for young adults from underserved communities through training, mentorship, and job placement. Direct peer in tech workforce development and mentorship for underrepresented populations.
• https://www.cilar.ca/dev/color: Community organization and non-profit focused on increasing the number of Black software engineers and tech leaders. Direct peer in addressing underrepresentation and career advancement of Black professionals in technology.
• CivicAction: Canadian civic leadership non-profit that convenes cross-sector leaders to address equity and inclusion in cities. Direct peer in operating a multi-stakeholder coalition model in Canada focused on EDI outcomes.
• Generation: Global non-profit that trains and places people into career-track roles, with programs specifically targeting underemployment and inclusion in tech. Direct peer in outcome-measured workforce training programs funded by corporate and foundation partners.
• Code2040: US-based non-profit activating and mobilizing the largest racial equity community in tech innovation. Direct peer to CILAR's mission of advancing BIPOC representation in the technology and innovation sector through programming and career pipelines.
• Year Up: Non-profit providing young adults from underserved communities with skills training, corporate internships, and career support. Direct peer in workforce development programming that bridges employers and underrepresented talent.
• Per Scholas: Non-profit providing tuition-free technology training and professional development to unemployed and underemployed adults. Direct peer in tech skills training delivered through employer partnerships for underserved communities.

Regional players

• Lighthouse Labs: Canadian tech education provider offering coding bootcamps and digital skills training. Regional peer in Canadian tech skills training, though operating a tuition-paid bootcamp model versus CILAR's grant-funded inclusion focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/CILAR_CANADA
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@CILAR_CANADA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cilar
• Instagraminstagram.com/cilar_canada

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 →

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