York University’s YSpace has been recognized by the Canadian Council for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (CCSBE) with the Award for Outstanding Contributions to Inclusive Venture Creation and Community Engagement for its equity-driven efforts supporting business founders.
The award – announced at the 2025 CCSBE Annual Conference – celebrates organizations that demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusivity and belonging while advancing startup initiatives and public engagement. The award highlights YSpace's leadership in developing programs that empower diverse founders and strengthen entrepreneurship ecosystems across Canada.
“YSpace has built programming that reaches individuals from all backgrounds, placing community impact and accessibility at the core. Their work is making a meaningful difference in the lives of entrepreneurs and the communities they serve,” says John MacRitchie, president of CCSBE.
Since its launch in 2018, YSpace has become one of Canada’s leading innovation hubs, creating equitable and accessible pathways for entrepreneurship education while supporting more than 1,500 startups.
The CCSBE award recognizes flagship initiatives such as: ELLA, YSpace's women-focused program that has supported more than 2,700 women since 2020; the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA), which has empowered more than 350 Black venture creators since 2022; and Experience Ventures, which has facilitated 1,454 entrepreneurial placements – with 74 per cent of participants identifying as visible minorities and 38 per cent identifying with more than one identity category.
“We believe an inclusive startup ecosystem is not just a value or an afterthought – it’s how we drive sustainable impact and should be at the core of what we build and who we are,” says David Kwok, director of entrepreneurship and innovation at YSpace. “This award recognizes our team’s ongoing commitment to building inclusive communities where all founders can thrive.”
It also reflects how YSpace aligns with broader York University priorities.
“At York, we believe that empowering diverse founders and building accessible pathways for entrepreneurship is essential to creating lasting impact – locally, nationally and globally,” says York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton. “This recognition reflects York’s unwavering commitment to fostering entrepreneurship that is innovative, inclusive and community-driven. I am incredibly proud of the YSpace team and the vibrant community of entrepreneurs who exemplify our values: advancing diversity, excellence, collaboration and impact. Their work is transforming industries and strengthening communities across Canada, demonstrating the power of entrepreneurship and the crucial role that higher education plays in welcoming and uplifting all voices.”
The CCSBE award builds on YSpace’s ongoing success, which includes receiving a newly created award earlier this year from the Economic Developers Council of Ontario honouring the hub’s ELLA and BEA programs.
Find out more about YSpace and its programs through its website.