At York University we believe a university can be both a centre of learning and serve as an incubator for ideas, innovation and industry. That’s why we created YSpace, York’s entrepreneurship hub. YSpace offers a variety of programs and services that support entrepreneurs at every stage of development: ideation, validation, launch and growth.   

YSpace offers a variety of programs, including an alumni speaker series, idea consultations and a six-week venture catalyst program designed to support early-stage technology start-ups as they develop, test, validate and refine their ideas to build a full proof of concept. 

The work happening at YSpace is more relevant than ever before as we move away from the economic upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s why the Business Bounce Back program at YSpace is so important. 

Designed to help businesses and individuals in the tourism and hospitality sector, Business Bounce Back is a unique program that offers support in rebuilding with a digital focus. Currently offered in partnership with the Town of Georgina and the Town of East Gwillimbury, the three-month program provides business owners with the tools, skills and connections they need to scale and thrive in the tourism and hospitality industry. 

Business Bounce Back has three components: 

Business validation – A two-part, six-hour workshop delivered over two days for people looking to pivot their current business or start a new business. Through the workshop, participants identify business ideas, validate these ideas and build the skills they will need to create new and sustainable revenue streams. 

Digital skills boot camp – In partnership with General Assembly, participants get access to award-winning courses and boot camps that build their digital skills and test their ideas in areas such as social media marketing and e-commerce development. 

One-on-one mentorship – Recognizing that each participant will have his or her own unique ideas and business challenges, the program will provide individualized mentorship with a structured “objective and key results” approach. 

YSpace is also home to the Technology Accelerator program, a four-month virtual program designed to support entrepreneurs as they launch and scale their ventures through boot camps, workshops, one-on-one mentorships and over $30,000 in cash awards – plus perks. 

The Technology Accelerator program focuses on helping pre-revenue technology start-ups execute their go-to-market strategies and gain customers. It provides ample opportunities for hands-on experience, as well as accountability sessions, customized mentorship and the chance to connect with key partners in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.