YSpace is York University’s pan-university entrepreneurship and innovation hub, providing curated support and resources to startups and entrepreneurs including students, alumni, faculty, and external community members.
Regardless of business stage, the hub fosters innovation through programming and events delivered from initiatives like ELLA, Ontario's first accelerator focused on women-led product and service-based businesses, the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA) for Black-led businesses, and specialized support for technology based and agri-food centered businesses.
Additionally, YSpace supports international businesses looking to expand into Canada through the Startup Visa program thus building a robust innovation ecosystem, fostering the growth of its founders and supporting diverse communities and groups.
Sectors and Streams
Technology
Early and growth stage technology ventures are supported through a variety of innovative programming and specialized support including Venture Catalyst, Tech Accelerator, and Incubation programs.
Food & Beverage
CPG ventures learn to become market ready through the membership based Incubation program, while high growth ventures looking to scale can receive support through the 5-month Food & Beverage Accelerator.
Community & Students
Those looking for customized advice can book one-on-one consultation services through Idea Consultations, students can access paid student placements through Experience Ventures, and those looking to sharpen their entrepreneurial knowledge can register for a 12-week workshop series through Founder Fundamentals.
ELLA (Women-led)
ELLA powered by Desjardins supports women founders and ventures at all stages through specialized programming including the online asynchronous program ELLA Express, ELLA Ascend for ventures with sales over $50K, and ELLA Altitude which supports established ventures with sales over $200K.
BEA (Black-led)
The Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA) created in partnership with the Black Creek Community Health Centre, provides specialized streams for Black entrepreneurs including Business and Leadership Essentials, and the Investment Bootcamp.
Startup Visa
Offered in two-stages, Startup Visa helps global tech entrepreneurs validate the feasibility of their business in the Canadian market as well as expand into the Canadian market.
Physical Hubs
YSpace Markham is a 11,000 sq. ft. facility located in the heart of downtown Markham that supports growth-ready technology, agri-food, women and black-led businesses in the GTA.
YSpace Georgina is located in Sutton and operates in partnership with the Town of Georgina and the Town of East Gwillimbury supporting local entrepreneurs from the tourism industry to professional services and product-based businesses in York Region.
YSpace Keele is a new lounge space located on the main York University campus in York Lanes. Operated in partnership with York’s Alumni Engagement Team & York’s Career Center, this space supports students, alumni and the larger York community by providing access to workshops, programs, and consultations.
Visit the YSpace Website
To learn more about YSpace and its complete entrepreneurial offering, please visit the website.