Each year, Innovators Alliance listens closely to its members through our annual survey — a chance to reflect on what’s working, what’s changing, and where we can grow together.
The 2025 Member Survey results tell a powerful story: our community of entrepreneurs and business leaders is thriving, embracing innovation, and finding deep value in connection and collaboration. With responses representing members from across Ontario, this year’s data offers rich insight into how IA continues to drive business success and leadership growth.
Business Growth and Innovation Remain Top of Mind
Members are focused on scaling their businesses while navigating complex global and technological challenges. The top areas of focus include:
Sales growth and market expansion
Operational efficiency and process improvement
Tariffs, trade, and geopolitical uncertainty
Adapting and integrating artificial intelligence
These priorities highlight that IA members are growth-oriented leaders balancing near-term performance with long-term transformation. As one member shared, the peer discussions and learning opportunities at IA “help keep our thinking sharp and our strategies future-focused.”
Members Crave Connection, Learning, and Purposeful Engagement
Beyond business performance, Innovators Alliance members are deeply motivated by opportunities to connect and give back.
The most requested additions to the IA experience include:
This appetite for connection reinforces what has always made IA unique: a trusted space for entrepreneurs to collaborate, share insights, and grow together.
Learning from Experts, Growing as Leaders
More than nine in ten Innovators Alliance members report meaningful professional and personal growth as a direct result of their membership.
The most common gains include:
Improved strategic thinking
Expanded networks and access to resources
Better business decision-making
Greater self-awareness and enhanced confidence and clarity in leadership
These findings confirm that Innovators is far more than a networking group — it’s a leadership accelerator. Members consistently describe their experience as transformational, helping them think more strategically, make smarter decisions, and lead with purpose.
“IA has helped me step back from day-to-day operations and think more strategically about where I’m taking my business.”— Survey Respondent, 2025
The Power of Community and Advocacy
The strength of the Alliance is reflected in its remarkable 85%-member referral rate — with zero respondents indicating they would not recommend the organization. Those who were “unsure” cited limited time or lack of recent interaction, not dissatisfaction.
This level of advocacy underscores the trust and value members place in IA, and it presents a tremendous opportunity for growth through referrals and word-of-mouth.
Planning for the Future: Priorities for 2026
Members identified clear priorities for the year ahead:
Supporting business growth and profitability
Providing access to new technologies and innovation trends
Strengthening peer support and accountability
Expanding the IA network and strategic partnerships
Developing succession and transition planning resources
IA’s leadership team is already working these priorities into our 2026 plans. Stay tuned for new initiatives focused on a Sales & Market Expansion Program, continued investment in AI and digital transformation support, expanded member onboarding and engagement pathways, and more.
A Community Defining the Future of Business
The 2025 survey results confirm what members have long known — that Innovators Alliance is not just a network, but a catalyst for growth, learning, and lasting leadership impact.
From accelerating innovation to fostering collaboration and confidence, IA continues to empower Canadian business leaders to think bigger, lead stronger, and build a more resilient future.
Together, we’re not just adapting to change. We’re defining what comes next.
Stefanie is a leader, collaborator, and consultant with over 20 years of executive experience spanning healthcare, education, international development, and financial services. As Executive Director of Innovators Alliance, she works closely with CEOs and business leaders to foster growth, peer learning, and innovation across Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.A Professional Certified Coach (PCC) accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) through the Co-Active Training Institute, Stefanie brings a deep commitment to helping leaders grow with purpose. Her work blends strategy, connection, and curiosity to create environments where leaders and organizations thrive.
