The Center for Leadership and Innovation

What The Center for Leadership and Innovation does

The Center for Innovation (legally CIDCI Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered in San Francisco, founded in 2012 by AEC industry leaders including Stuart Eckblad to accelerate innovation in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. The organization operates as a neutral convener and knowledge broker for building owners, contractors, design firms, academic institutions, and government entities, with governance embedded in sponsor companies such as DPR Construction, Autodesk, HDR, SmithGroup, Truebeck Construction, Hensel Phelps, and Clark Pacific. Its programming spans free twice-monthly moderated webinars, 100+ on-demand sessions distributed via YouTube and podcast, the Innovation Lab (a 6-module online training program delivered via Google Classroom, capped at 50 participants per cohort), and annual forums (Fall Forum multi-day series and Spring Forum hosted jointly with UC Berkeley P2SL).

The Center for Innovation's business model is a hybrid non-profit model built on tiered enterprise sponsorships and event/training fees. Sponsorship tiers range from Changemaker ($5,000) through Innovator ($10,000), Groundbreaker ($15,000), and Visionary ($20,000), providing unlimited company access to webinars, logo placement, Innovation Lab seats, and Owner Perspective panel invitations. The Innovation Lab charges $1,500 per non-sponsor participant and $1,000 per additional sponsor seat. The organization has extended its mission internationally through the Ukraine Reconstruction Project (REUkraine), which connects Ukrainian professionals with global AEC expertise via Dobrobat, Stanford CIFE, and the US State Department Office of Global Partnerships, including the Stantec-led STU International Architectural Competition for Irpin, Ukraine, and a VDC training program launching in Spring 2025. Revenue is not publicly disclosed; total annual revenue is likely under $1M, supported by 1-10 staff and substantial volunteer board labor.

Name

The Center for Leadership and Innovation

Legal name

CIDCI Foundation

Website

https://centerforinnovation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Center for Innovation (CIDCI Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that convenes AEC industry professionals through free webinars, paid training programs, and annual forums, while operating the REUkraine initiative supporting Ukraine's reconstruction.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Construction Industry Education and Innovation Training

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Technology & Innovation Expos Organizers (THAHABAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Quality, Process Improvement & Lean/Six Sigma Certifications (EDAAANAC)

Keywords

• Construction innovation training
• AEC industry forums
• Integrated project delivery
• Design thinking workshops
• Nonprofit industry education

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Sponsorship Tiers: Tiered sponsorship program with four levels: Changemaker ($5,000), Innovator ($10,000), Groundbreaker ($15,000), and Visionary ($20,000). Sponsors receive unlimited company access to webinars, logo placement on website and marketing materials, Innovation Lab tickets, and exclusive invitations to Owner Perspective panels.
2. Innovation Lab Fees: Non-sponsor rate of $1,500 per person for the 6-module online innovation training program. Sponsors receive free participation based on their sponsorship level. Additional sponsor seats available for $1,000 per person.
3. Donations for Ukraine Reconstruction: Tax-deductible donations to support the REUkraine project focused on reconstruction planning and implementation. Campaign goal of $300,000 USD with over $100,000 raised to date.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Center for Innovation (formerly CIDCI) is a non-profit organization that delivers forums, training programs, and special projects to advance innovation in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Its core offerings include the Innovation Lab online training program, free twice-monthly webinars, the annual Fall Forum and Spring Forum events, and the Ukraine Reconstruction Project (REUkraine), all designed to facilitate knowledge exchange among building owners, designers, contractors, and engineers.

Product overview

The Center for Innovation (formerly CIDCI) is a non-profit organization that serves as a catalyst to improve the built environment and inspire innovation in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. The organization operates several interconnected programs: the Innovation Lab (an online training program teaching innovation methodologies), regular Webinars (free twice-monthly sessions on industry topics), Fall Forum (multi-day panel discussions with global leaders), Spring Forum (academic-industry collaboration events), and the Ukraine Reconstruction Project (REUkraine, an international initiative supporting Ukraine's rebuilding efforts). The programs facilitate exchange of ideas, knowledge, and insights to address challenges and opportunities in the AEC industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Innovation Lab Online training program that teaches participants the mindsets and skillsets associated with the innovation process through a 6-module curriculum delivered asynchronously via Google Classroom. The program runs June-November annually and includes design research, problem framing, idea generation and selection, prototyping, and testing. Aimed at AEC industry professionals and emerging innovation leaders.
• Webinars Free webinars offered twice a month covering a wide range of subjects designed to stimulate creative thinking in the design and construction industry. Sixty-minute sessions are moderated with live Q&A opportunities and made available on-demand after broadcast.
• Fall Forum A multi-day series featuring panel discussions with global leaders on pressing issues in the design and construction field. Includes sessions on topics like innovation, building owner's perspectives, and international reconstruction efforts.
• Spring Forum An annual in-person event hosted in collaboration with academic institutions, featuring deep dives with academics, international leaders, and change-makers exploring the intersection of Lean design and innovation in industrialized construction.
• Ukraine Reconstruction Project (REUkraine) A collaborative initiative supporting Ukraine's long-term recovery by connecting Ukrainian professionals with AEC innovations, organizing international design competitions, providing VDC training, and facilitating knowledge exchange on sustainable reconstruction methods.
• Sponsorship Program Tiered corporate sponsorship program with four levels (Changemaker $5,000, Innovator $10,000, Groundbreaker $15,000, Visionary $20,000) providing tiered access to webinars, logo placement, Innovation Lab tickets, and exclusive invitations to Owner Perspective panels.

Quantifiable outcome

• 163,000 housing units needing reconstruction in Ukraine as of June 2023
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Feature1 record

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Stanford University - Center for Integrated Facility Engineering (CIFE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024CFI partnered with Stanford CIFE to discuss Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) methods with Ukrainian professionals. Collaborating on VDC (Virtual Design and Construction) training for Ukrainian builders and architects launching Spring 2025 with 40 participants.
• DobrobatcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Ukrainian volunteer construction battalion focused on restoration of housing and social infrastructure in war-affected regions. CFI and Dobrobat co-hosted the first reconstruction conference in Kyiv in 2023, led by Ukrainians. CFI connected Dobrobat with Stanford CIFE to explore IPD methods for reconstruction.
• UC BerkeleycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCFI connected Ukrainian delegation with UC Berkeley researchers. Innovation Lab curriculum developed with UC Berkeley professors including Dr. Vivek Rao (Haas School of Business) and Dr. Sara Beckman. Spring Forum hosted jointly with UC Berkeley P2SL.
• US State Department - Office of Global PartnershipsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWith US State Department assistance, CFI hosted Ukrainian government officials and design/construction experts in San Francisco Bay Area in January 2024. Facilitated by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and numerous donors.
• StantecmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal design and engineering firm Stantec won the STU International Architectural Competition for the State Tax University reconstruction project in Irpin, Ukraine. Their proposal stood out for innovation and commitment to community-driven design.
• Truebeck ConstructioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTruebeck Construction is an Innovator-level sponsor. Pete Caputo, Senior Vice President of Operations, serves as Board Member. Portfolio exceeding $4 billion in healthcare and commercial sectors.
• AutodeskcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAutodesk is an Innovator-level sponsor of the Center for Innovation, supporting innovation initiatives in the AEC industry.
• DPR ConstructioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDPR Construction is an Innovator-level sponsor. Atul Khanzode serves as CTO and Board Member. DPR collaborates with CFI on innovation initiatives and Field Innovation Leader Tyler Williams presents at webinars.
• HDRcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHDR is an Innovator-level sponsor supporting the Center for Innovation's programs and events.
• SmithGroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSmithGroup is an Innovator-level sponsor. Troy Thompson serves as Governance Chair on the Board.
• CambridgeCMmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCambridgeCM is a Groundbreaker-level sponsor supporting CFI initiatives.
• Lean Construction InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLCI is connected through shared leadership including Dean Reed (Pioneer Award 2021) and Henry Nutt (Chair of LCI Board, Pioneer Award 2018). Both organizations promote lean practices in construction.
• NASAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUkrainian delegation visited NASA during their San Francisco Bay Area study trip to exchange ideas and expertise.
• Hensel PhelpsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHensel Phelps is a Pacesetter-level sponsor of the Center for Innovation.
• Clark PacificminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorClark Pacific is a Pacesetter-level sponsor supporting CFI programs.
• JoinminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJoin is a Pacesetter-level sponsor of the Center for Innovation.
• VFRminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVFR is a Pacesetter-level sponsor of the Center for Innovation.
• Unite-techcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUnite-tech is an Innovator-level sponsor supporting the Center for Innovation.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Engineering News-Record (ENR): Industry media and event organizer (Top Lists, conferences). Not a non-profit peer but competes for AEC sponsor attention and event revenue through media-sponsored conferences and awards.

Direct peers

• BuiltWorlds: Industry community and events platform covering ConTech and AEC innovation. Comparable audience of owners, contractors, and tech vendors with similar membership/sponsorship revenue model.
• Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA): Industry non-profit promoting design-build project delivery. Comparable membership/sponsorship model and AEC owner/contractor audience, with overlapping curriculum on integrated delivery that competes with CFI's IPD/lean training content.
• Lean Construction Institute (LCI): Non-profit community advancing lean construction practices. Closest direct peer: shares board members (Dean Reed, Henry Nutt), Pioneer Award heritage, and overlapping sponsor base (DPR, Boldt, etc.). LCI focuses specifically on lean while CFI's scope is broader innovation, but they compete for the same sponsorship dollars and member mindshare.
• AEC Next: Conference and expo focused on technology and innovation in the AEC industry. Direct competitor for ConTech Deep Dive-style events and the same sponsor/attendee base of AEC owners, GCs, and technology vendors.
• Construction Users Roundtable (CURT): Owner-only non-profit forum for construction buyers. Comparable audience (building owners, capital project executives) and similar event/training model. CURT competes for owner-side sponsorship and engagement that CFI also targets.

Broad incumbents

• American Institute of Architects (AIA): National architecture professional association. Comparable membership model and AEC focus, with overlapping continuing education offerings that compete with CFI's Innovation Lab.
• Construction Management Association of America (CMAA): Industry association for construction management professionals. Comparable non-profit model, sponsor base, and training/event programming aimed at owners and PMs — direct overlap with CFI's emerging-leader audience.
• Associated General Contractors of America (AGC): Largest U.S. construction industry trade association. Much broader scope than CFI but competes for the same contractor-side sponsorships and offers overlapping education/training programs at significantly greater scale.

Regional players

• Stanford Center for Integrated Facility Engineering (CIFE): Academic partner rather than direct competitor, but operates in the same VDC/IPD/innovation space and co-hosts the ConTech Deep Dive. Comparable thought-leadership role and faculty-led curriculum model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCI8ss8eg_MQleG06trhBHwQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/centerforinnovation.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/center-for-innovation-in-the-design-and-construction-industry
• Instagraminstagram.com/thecenterforinnovation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 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 Center for Leadership and Innovation