Learners started the way most great things do—with a small group of curious people looking for answers.

Back in 2017, we were just a few researchers in Toronto, hungry to learn from others in the field. We started with a local meetup, which quickly grew into something much bigger. Within a year, we hosted our first conference, and the following year, we were filling theaters with thousands of researchers eager to connect and share knowledge.

Then the world changed.

Going virtual expanded our reach in ways we never expected. What started as a small meetup turned into a global learning community—built entirely on word of mouth. Eight years later, we’re still here, creating free, accessible, and community-driven learning experiences for researchers, designers, and beyond.

This year we made the commitment to never charge for another event again, because learning should be free.