Global Education Communities Corp. (GECC) has been named one of the Top 100 Fastest-Growing Companies in British Columbia for 2026 by Business in Vancouver’s annual Book of Lists, landing at No. 76 on the ranking published September 14, 2026.
The recognition reflects GECC’s revenue growth of 41%, rising from $20.6 million in fiscal 2021 to $29.0 million in fiscal 2025, according to the company. GECC also placed No. 88 on BIV’s list of Top 100 Public Companies in B.C., a ranking based on fiscal 2025 revenue, and No. 46 on the Top 50 Profitable Companies list, which is based on fiscal 2025 net income. The company reported net income growing from $1.1 million in fiscal 2024 to $22.1 million in fiscal 2025.
From Education Provider to Student Housing Specialist
GECC describes itself as having operated in Canada’s education and student housing sectors for more than 32 years. Following the divestiture of its domestic college assets across 2025 and 2026, the company says it has repositioned itself as a pure-play student housing developer and operator, serving close to 10,000 domestic and international students annually through housing communities, recruitment centres and corporate offices in Canada and abroad.
Under its GEC Living brand, GECC positions itself as the largest off-campus student housing provider in Western Canada. The company has developed what it calls an “Education Super-Centre” model, combining academic space with high-density housing in single integrated developments. GECC states its portfolio of operational and pipeline assets carries a combined value and development budget exceeding $1 billion, with 1,300 operational beds currently in service and roughly 2,500 additional beds in development. The company says its housing serves students from 95 schools across Metro Vancouver, representing 79 countries.
Divestitures Reshape Corporate Structure
GECC was previously the parent company of several academic institutions, including Sprott Shaw College, SSLC Language College and Vancouver International College, all of which were divested in 2025 and 2026 as part of the company’s shift toward student housing real estate. Its remaining academic division operates through CIBT School of Business & Technology Corp., which the company says serves as a link between institutional education and its student housing operations.
GECC also maintains related businesses supporting its housing model, including Global Education Alliance, a student recruitment agency that connects international students with North American institutions and channels them toward GEC-branded housing, and Irix Design, a Vancouver-based media and communications firm that handles the company’s internal marketing.
This article references reporting from:
