Ethelo
Ethelo is a Vancouver-based collective intelligence and digital engagement platform designed for governments and organisations running public consultations. Rather than simple majority polling, Ethelo uses preference aggregation algorithms to identify options with the broadest support across different stakeholder groups — the approach is designed to minimise polarisation rather than simply count the loudest majority.
The platform is proprietary and primarily used by Canadian public sector clients. Over 100 Canadian municipalities use Ethelo's Citizen Budget tool for participatory budgeting, and the Government of Canada is among its largest clients. The organisation is also developing AI integration into its decision-support engine.
Links
- Website: ethelo.com
See also
History
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2011-01-01
Founded in Vancouver as a social enterprise
Sourcing: High
Founded in 2011, Ethelo is dedicated to advancing new forms of democracy using internet technology.
The McConnell Foundation's grant profile records Ethelo's founding in 2011 as two entities — the technology company Ethelo Decisions and the non-profit society Ethelo Democracy.
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2019-05-15
Acquired Citizen Budget, Canada's leading municipal budget consultation tool
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Ethelo and Open North are excited to announce the acquisition by Ethelo of “Citizen Budget”- Canada’s leading municipal budget consultation tool.
Ethelo acquired Citizen Budget, launched by Open North in 2011 and used by over 100 Canadian municipalities for public budget engagement, integrating it with its participatory decision-making platform.
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2025-03-01
Selected to power California's Engaged California digital democracy initiative
Sourcing: High
Engaged California is a first-in-the-nation digital democracy initiative launched by the State of California to improve public engagement, rebuild trust, and integrate lived experience directly into government decision-making.
Ethelo was selected after a global search to power the State of California's Engaged California program; its first engagement, the LA Wildfire Recovery exercise, ran from March to May 2025.
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