After a decade with MailChimp, ACENET needed an email platform that aligned with their values and operational reality as a Canadian not-for-profit research organization. The search intensified as data sovereignty concerns grew and pricing structures became increasingly opaque.

1. Data Sovereignty Requirements
   With increasing inquiries about data storage location and growing concerns about cross-border data access, ACENET wanted a solution with Canadian data hosting. As Michele explained, “We have always preferred to buy Canadian solutions.”
   
   
2. Platform Misalignment with Not-for-Profit Mission
   MailChimp’s focus on e-commerce and sales automation didn’t fit ACENET’s institutional communication needs. “A lot of the MailChimp features are geared to eCommerce and sales. It’s not what we’re about,” Michele noted. The organization needed a platform primarily designed for educational and not-for-profit communication.
   
   
3. Pricing
   After years of experience with MailChimp, rising prices were becoming an issue. Many of our subscribers are students. As they graduate and move into the workforce, they no longer need our services, so unsubscribe to our communications. Paying for unsubscribed contacts was a pain point.
   
   
4. Complex Migration with No Room for Error
   With 3,000 contacts including active research teams across Atlantic Canadian institutions, the migration had to be flawless. The team needed clear documentation and reliable support to navigate domain configuration, script implementation, and contact imports.