Space Canada
Space Canada is a not-for-profit national industry association founded in 2022 in Ottawa, representing nearly 100 Canadian space innovators and allied organizations. It conducts sector advocacy with federal policymakers and operates the annual SpaceBound conference as its flagship convening event.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersOttawa, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Space Canada does
Space Canada is a not-for-profit national industry association founded in March 2022 in Ottawa to represent Canadian space innovators and allied organizations. It was established by nine founding members — Calian, GHGSat, Magellan Aerospace, Maritime Launch Services, MDA Space, Mission Control, NorthStar Earth & Space, SpaceBridge, and Telesat — and led by founding CEO Brian Gallant, K.C., the former Premier of New Brunswick. By the end of 2024 the association had grown to nearly 100 member companies and allied organizations spanning startups, large global firms, academic institutions, and not-for-profits, with over 70% of members having fewer than 100 employees.
The association's core activity is sector advocacy and convening rather than technology development. Its functional scope spans satellite communications, Earth observation, space robotics, launch systems, climate monitoring, and space exploration. Space Canada's go-to-market centers on membership recruitment, federal policy influence (including the successful advocacy for a National Space Council in the 2024 federal budget), and the flagship SpaceBound annual conference, which grew from 400+ participants in 2023 to a sold-out ~500 in 2024 and is expanding to a three-day, parliamentary-anchored format in October 2026.
The revenue model is membership-based, with recurring dues from member organizations; pricing is not publicly disclosed. The association operates as a horizontal segment representative body, serving Canadian space innovators, federal government stakeholders, and indirectly the Canadian economy, which the sector is reported to contribute $2.5-$3 billion annually to while sustaining approximately 25,000 high-paying STEM jobs and over $500 million in annual R&D investment.
Space Canada firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Space Canada
- Legal name
- Space Canada
- Website
- https://space-canada.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Space Canada is a not-for-profit national industry association founded in 2022 in Ottawa, representing nearly 100 Canadian space innovators and allied organizations. It conducts sector advocacy with federal policymakers and operates the annual SpaceBound conference as its flagship convening event.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Space Canada industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Space Industry Association
- NAICS
- Professional Organizations (81392)
- akta.pro primary industry
- International Science, Technology & Space Cooperation Organizations (BPADAAAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Space & Astronomy Programs (EDAMABAE)
Keywords
Where Space Canada is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ottawa
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Space Canada business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership dues: Space Canada generates revenue through membership fees from Canadian space companies, organizations, and allied industries. The association advocates for the space sector and positions Canada at the forefront of the New Space Economy.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Space Canada product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Space Canada is a national not-for-profit industry association that represents Canadian space innovators and allied industries. It recruits member organizations, advocates for the Canadian space sector to government policymakers, and convenes the industry through flagship events such as the annual SpaceBound conference. The association conveys the value of space technology, research, investment, and results to domestic and international audiences to position Canada at the forefront of the global New Space Economy.
Product overview
Space Canada is a national industry association representing Canadian space innovators, not a product company. The organization advocates for the Canadian space ecosystem, connects member companies, and promotes Canada's space sector. It does not offer standalone products or services but facilitates collaboration among its member organizations including Calian, GHGSat, Magellan Aerospace, Maritime Launch Services, MDA Space, Mission Control, NorthStar Earth & Space, and Telesat. The association organizes events such as SpaceBound conferences and engages in policy advocacy for space sector prioritization.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SpaceBound: Annual conference organized by Space Canada bringing together Canadian space innovators, policymakers, and industry leaders.
Products and services
- Space Canada Membership
- SpaceBound Annual Conference
- Space Day on the Hill
- Policy Reports and Position Papers
Quantifiable outcome
- $2.5 billion annual contribution to Canada's GDP
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Space Canada
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Space Canada technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Space Canada partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and founding.
- Parliamentary Reception (Sir John A. Macdonald building)flagshipSpaceBound 2026 will open with a Parliamentary Reception at the Sir John A. Macdonald building in Ottawa from 5-7 p.m., bringing together political and industry leaders.
- Canadian Museum of HistoryflagshipSpaceBound Conference 2026 will be held at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau on October 20th and 21st.
- Canadian Space AgencycoreSpace Canada works with the Canadian Space Agency to position Canada at the forefront of the global New Space Economy. The association conveys the value of space technology, research, investment and results to domestic and international audiences.
- CalianfoundingOne of nine founding members of Space Canada. Calian helps people communicate, innovate, learn, stay safe and lead healthy lives with confidence. Every day, their 4,500 employees deliver solutions to healthcare, communications, learning and security sectors.
- GHGSatfoundingOne of nine founding members. GHGSat is the global leader in high-resolution remote-sensing of greenhouse gas from space, providing unique emissions data and intelligence to businesses, governments, regulators, and investors worldwide.
- Magellan AerospacefoundingOne of nine founding members. Magellan Aerospace is a global, integrated aerospace company providing complex assemblies and systems solutions to aircraft and engine manufacturers, and defence and space agencies worldwide.
- Maritime Launch ServicesfoundingOne of nine founding members. Maritime Launch is developing Spaceport Nova Scotia, the first commercial orbital launch complex in Canada, to provide satellite delivery services with the Cyclone-4M launch vehicle.
- MDA SpacefoundingOne of nine founding members. MDA Space is a trusted mission partner with a 55-year+ history of world firsts and more than 450 missions, global leader in communications satellites, Earth and space observation, and space exploration and infrastructure.
- Mission Control Space ServicesfoundingOne of nine founding members. Mission Control empowers explorers by innovating to make advanced software viable for use in space, helping shape a world where humans treasure Earth through ubiquitous access to exploration.
- NorthStar Earth & SpacefoundingOne of nine founding members. NorthStar seeks to empower humanity to preserve our planet through a unique Space and Earth information & intelligence platform using space-based sensors, providing Space Situational Awareness (SSA) products.
- TelesatfoundingOne of nine founding members. Telesat is one of the world's largest and most innovative satellite operators, undertaking the $6.5 billion Telesat Lightspeed LEO satellite constellation program, the largest space program in Canadian history.
- SpaceBridgefoundingOne of nine founding members of Space Canada. SpaceBridge was a founding member that contributed to establishing the association.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Space Canada competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Canadian Chamber of Commerce: Canada's largest business advocacy organization with deep federal government relationships. Comparable as a policy advocacy platform, but covering all of Canadian business rather than specializing in space.
- Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters: Canada's largest industry association representing the broader manufacturing and exporting base. Comparable as a national business advocacy body, but with space as a small slice of a much wider portfolio.
Direct peers
- UK Space: The official trade body of the UK space industry, representing members across the space value chain and engaging government on policy and investment. Directly comparable mission and structure to Space Canada.
- Eurospace: European trade association of the space industry representing manufacturers, operators, and service providers. Closest international counterpart with similar advocacy, policy, and member-driven mission.
- Commercial Spaceflight Federation: US-based industry association for the commercial space sector, advocating on policy, regulatory, and procurement matters. Closest functional analogue to Space Canada in terms of membership-driven advocacy and policy engagement, though operating in the US market.
- Satellite Industry Association: US trade association representing satellite operators, manufacturers, and ground systems providers. Comparable as a sector-specific industry body advocating on policy, export controls, and spectrum issues to government stakeholders.
- Aerospace Industries Association of Canada: Canada's primary national aerospace and defence industry association. Directly comparable as a domestic trade body representing Canadian aerospace companies and advocating to federal policymakers, but with a broader aerospace remit that includes space as one segment.
- Space Industry Association of Australia: Australia's peak industry body for the space sector, promoting growth and representing members to government. Functionally analogous national industry association model.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Space Canada social profiles
Digital presenceSpace Canada financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Space Canada leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Space Canada funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Space Canada 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 Space Canada
What does Space Canada do?
Space Canada is a national not-for-profit industry association that represents Canadian space innovators and allied industries. It recruits member organizations, advocates for the Canadian space sector to government policymakers, and convenes the industry through flagship events such as the annual SpaceBound conference. The association conveys the value of space technology, research, investment, and results to domestic and international audiences to position Canada at the forefront of the global New Space Economy.
Is Space Canada a public or private company?
Space Canada is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Space Canada founded?
Space Canada was founded in 2022. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Space Canada based?
Space Canada is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Space Canada make money?
One revenue line is on record: membership dues.
Who are Space Canada's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters. Direct peers are UK Space, Eurospace, Commercial Spaceflight Federation, Satellite Industry Association, Aerospace Industries Association of Canada and Space Industry Association of Australia.
Does Space Canada have an API?
No public API is recorded for Space Canada.
What industry is Space Canada in?
Space Canada's product category is Space Industry Association. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADAAAK, International Science, Technology & Space Cooperation Organizations, with a secondary code of EDAMABAE, Space & Astronomy Programs. Its NAICS code is 81392.