Smart Grid Innovation Network

What Smart Grid Innovation Network does

Smart Grid Innovation Network Canada (SGIN) is a not-for-profit, member-driven national network organization founded in 2015 and headquartered in Fredericton, New Brunswick. SGIN is positioned as Canada's first industry association dedicated to advancing the country's clean energy transition and grid modernization, serving a horizontal membership base that includes electric utilities, small and medium-sized clean energy enterprises, academic and research institutions, Indigenous organizations, and federal and provincial government bodies. The organization operates eight core service lines: the Energy Data Trust (a national clean energy data sharing platform launched June 2025), the Smart Utility Performance Index benchmarking tool, the DER 101 Fundamentals training course, the International Trade & Learning Program, the Smart Energy Benchmarking Project, the Global Grid Opportunities digital intelligence product, support for the Canada Electricity Advisory Council, and the Electrification 4.0 initiative.

The underlying technology stack centers on data governance (the EDT applies FAIR principles — Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable — with founding partners including UNB's NB-IRDT, Energy Modelling Hub, ACENET, Fraunhofer, and Mission:data Coalition) and benchmarking infrastructure (SUPI uses 140+ indicators across 13 metrics). SGIN's go-to-market combines community-led engagement (industry events, trade missions, member referrals) with direct membership sales and structured subscription tiers. The revenue model is a hybrid of recurring membership fees, pay-per-seat training revenue (DER 101 Fundamentals at $950+ CDN per seat with group and member discounts), trade mission participation fees, and government program funding from Natural Resources Canada, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and Mitacs. A referral program offering 20% membership discounts and free membership for non-profit Indigenous organizations supplements member acquisition. SGIN is governed by a Board of Directors with a dedicated Indigenous seat (created May 2024) and reports a small core team of 1-10 employees, leveraging its broad partnership ecosystem to deliver programs at scale.

Name

Smart Grid Innovation Network

Legal name

Smart Grid Innovation Network Canada

Website

https://sgin.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Smart Grid Innovation Network Canada (SGIN) is a not-for-profit, member-driven national network founded in 2015 that advances Canada's clean energy transition and grid modernization by connecting utilities, SMEs, academia, Indigenous partners, and government through benchmarking, training, trade missions, and the Energy Data Trust platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Energy Industry Association

NAICS

Other Computer Related Services (541519)

SIC

Electric Services (4911)

akta.pro primary industry

DER Aggregation & Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) (EUAMAJAC)

Keywords

• Smart grid modernization
• Clean energy transition
• Utility benchmarking services
• Energy data management
• Clean energy trade missions

Headquarters

HQ city

Fredericton

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual/subscription-based membership providing access to trade missions, education events, exclusive resources, priority access to limited-capacity engagements, and secured trade opportunities.
2. Training Programs: DER 101 Fundamentals course offered at $950+ CDN per seat with group rates available. New members receive first seat free, current members receive 25-50% discounts.
3. Trade Mission Fees: Per-event mission-specific fees for Trade & Learning Missions including Enlit Europe, Enlit Asia, and Smart City Expo World Congress. Mission participation fees are separate from membership.
4. Smart Energy Benchmarking: Benchmarking programs funded by Natural Resources Canada's SREP Capacity Building stream and Mitacs, in partnership with member organizations.
5. Member Referral Program Revenue: Referral incentives that drive membership growth through 20% discounts on next membership cycle for both referrer and referred member.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

SGIN is a not-for-profit, member-driven industry association that advances Canada's clean energy transition. It delivers paid and member-only services spanning utility benchmarking (Smart Utility Performance Index), distributed energy resources training (DER 101 Fundamentals), a national energy data sharing platform (Energy Data Trust), and curated international trade missions to events such as Enlit Europe and Smart City Expo World Congress.

Product overview

Smart Grid Innovation Network Canada (SGIN) operates as a national non-profit network organization rather than a traditional software product company. Its portfolio consists of eight distinct service offerings: the Energy Data Trust (a national data sharing platform), Smart Utility Performance Index (a benchmarking tool), DER 101 Fundamentals (an educational course), International Trade and Learning Program (market-entry support), Smart Energy Benchmarking Project, Global Grid Opportunities (digital intelligence), Canada Electricity Advisory Council Support, and the Electrification 4.0 Project. These offerings collectively enable the decarbonization and electrification of Canada's energy systems by supporting real implementation and providing focus for knowledge, best practices, and experiences from leading smart energy implementation communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Energy Data Trust (EDT) Canada's first independent, secure platform for managing, sharing, and accessing clean energy data using FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles. It supports innovators, policymakers, utilities, and communities through governed data sharing and transactions.
• Smart Utility Performance Index (SUPI) A benchmarking tool that helps Canadian electric utilities assess, compare, and enhance their clean energy strategies across performance domains including Clean Energy Supply, Modern Grid, and Customers & Society, with utility registration through Microsoft Forms.
• DER 101 Fundamentals Course A paid training course (virtual via MS Teams and in-person) that helps energy sector professionals build practical, actionable understanding of distributed energy resources (DER) technologies, markets, policy trends, and integration challenges. Priced at $950+ CDN per seat with member and group discounts.
• International Trade and Learning Program A membership-based program that connects Canadian clean energy companies, utilities, Indigenous partners, academic institutions, and public-sector stakeholders with priority international markets through structured trade missions (Enlit Europe, Enlit Asia, Smart City Expo, EU missions), B2B matchmaking, site visits, and ongoing business development support.
• Global Grid Opportunities Series A digital intelligence product offering country-specific insights into distributed energy resource (DER) adoption, smart-grid modernization, regulatory design, market innovation, and investment trends, delivered through video briefings and 36-page country case study PDFs covering 10 countries.

Quantifiable outcome

• 12 utilities representing ~7.5 million customers participate in Smart Energy Benchmarking Initiative
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and supporting.

• Basque Energy ClustercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 November 2025International MOU signed at Enlit Europe 2025 to cooperate on advancing and implementing holistic, clean and sustainable energy technologies and services. Both organizations agreed to provide strategic advice and services supporting each other's mandates.
• University of New Brunswick (NB-IRDT, Emera & NB Power Research Centre)coreTechnology or Integration · 23 June 2025Founding partner in Energy Data Trust, contributing research data infrastructure and expertise to Canada's first independent platform for managing, sharing, and accessing clean energy data.
• Energy Modelling HubcoreTechnology or Integration · 23 June 2025Founding partner in Energy Data Trust bringing energy modeling capabilities to support data-driven decision making for Canada's clean energy transition.
• ACENETcoreTechnology or Integration · 23 June 2025Founding partner in Energy Data Trust providing advanced computing infrastructure to support the secure sharing and analysis of clean energy data.
• PortfoliocoreTechnology or Integration · 23 June 2025Founding partner in Energy Data Trust contributing platform capabilities for energy data management and sharing.
• Screaming PowercoreTechnology or Integration · 23 June 2025Founding partner in Energy Data Trust bringing energy technology solutions to support the national data sharing platform.
• Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft InstitutestrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2025International founding partner in Energy Data Trust bringing European expertise in energy data standards and governance frameworks.
• Mission:data CoalitionstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2025International founding partner in Energy Data Trust providing expertise in energy data access and standardization.
• The Carbon Zero Institute of Trinidad and TobagostrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2025International founding partner in Energy Data Trust providing Caribbean perspective on energy transition and data governance.
• ResearchNBcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 April 2024Partnership to accelerate clean energy research and business growth in New Brunswick, fostering collaborative environment focused on supporting opportunity identification, validation and delivery of research and business growth initiatives.
• BioIndustrial Innovation Canada (BIC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 March 2024Partnership for EU Trade & Learning Mission covering Belgium, Netherlands, France, and Sweden. Combined smart energy and bioeconomy focus for comprehensive all-energy mission.
• Dunsky Energy + Climate AdvisorscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2023Phase 1 partner in Smart Energy Benchmarking Initiative, led development of scorecard to benchmark utility efforts and progress towards clean, modern and customer-centric grid with 140+ indicators across 13 metrics.
• Siemens Canada (Power Technologies International/PTI Consulting)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2023Phase 2 partner in Smart Energy Benchmarking Initiative, led development of Capability Maturity Model to help utilities understand their current state and compare to others in achieving energy transition objectives.
• University of New BrunswickcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2023Partner in Smart Energy Benchmarking Initiative providing research support and academic perspective on utility decarbonization and grid modernization.
• Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2023Funding partner for Smart Energy Benchmarking Initiative through Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways (SREP) Capacity Building stream.
• Gedeth NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorB2B consultant supporting Enlit Europe 2025 mission, providing tailored matchmaking schedules with utilities, integrators, municipalities, and technology partners based on export interests.
• Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) of CanadacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGovernment partner providing B2B matchmaking, on-the-ground support, and coordination with provincial trade agencies for trade missions. Supported missions to Enlit Europe, Smart City Expo, and EU locations.
• Clean Energy Connections Inc.supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on Indigenous and public engagement campaign titled Clean Energy Transition Listening Series for Electrification 4.0 project.
• North Shore Mi'kmaq Tribal CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on Clean Energy Transition Listening Series and participated in multiple trade missions including first Indigenous organization overseas presence.
• Global Affairs CanadacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in trade missions providing networking events and support for Canadian companies in international markets.
• GridForwardsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for Energy Innovation Forum 2024 in Banff, focused on evolved energy markets for a modern grid.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA): US coalition of state-level clean energy funds and agencies facilitating collaboration on clean energy deployment. Comparable to SGIN as a state/province-level stakeholder coalition advancing clean energy programs and shared learning.
• GridForward: US-based grid modernization industry association convening utilities, technology providers, and policymakers. Highly comparable to SGIN in mission (grid modernization, DER integration), member-driven non-profit model, and event programming (co-developed Energy Innovation Forum with SGIN).
• Energy Storage Canada: Canada's national industry association for energy storage, providing member services, policy advocacy, and cross-border trade access. Comparable member-driven model and a real SGIN partner (offers 10% discount on SGIN trade program).
• Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA): US-based non-profit focused on utility transition to clean energy and grid modernization through research, advisory, and member convening. Directly comparable to SGIN's utility benchmarking, research, and member services model.
• Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA): Canada's national industry association for wind, solar, and energy storage, representing developers, utilities, and suppliers. Comparable as a Canadian clean energy trade association with overlapping utility and SME membership.

Others

• BioIndustrial Innovation Canada (BIC): Canadian non-profit supporting industrial biotechnology and clean economy commercialization. Partnered with SGIN on the EU Trade & Learning Mission; comparable as a member-driven non-profit commercialization intermediary.
• Natural Resources Canada (NRCan): Federal department responsible for natural resources, energy policy, and clean energy programming. SGIN is a formal advisor and grant recipient (SREP Capacity Building stream) — a key ecosystem partner rather than a competitor, but shapes the operating environment for SGIN.

Regional players

• Smart Energy Council (Australia): Australia's peak industry body for smart energy, including solar, storage, and DERs. Comparable mission and member-driven non-profit model, but operating in Australia rather than Canada.
• Basque Energy Cluster: Basque Country cluster of energy sector companies with international cooperation mandate. Directly comparable — signed MOU with SGIN at Enlit Europe 2025 to facilitate clean energy collaboration across regions.

Broad incumbents

• Global Smart Energy Federation: International umbrella of national smart energy associations. Comparable as a convening body for clean energy trade associations, but operates globally rather than nationally.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/InfoSgin
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/11178253/admin/page-posts/published

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Smart Grid Innovation Network