YSpace Global
YSpace Global supports the world’s most ambitious founders as they expand into Canada and beyond. Backed by York University, we help high-potential startups soft-land in Canada, gain early traction, and prepare for expansion into the United States and global innovation hubs through partnerships across Asia and North America.
From the Greater Bay Area to Seoul, and from Toronto to Silicon Valley, YSpace Global turns global ambition into structured execution.
Our Global Mission
YSpace exists to ensure that startups don’t just arrive in Canada — they thrive here.
Through our Global programming, we support founders with:
- Market entry and commercialization pathways
- Venture-ready business development
- Investor and corporate ecosystem access
- Structured founder training for North American scale
- Long-term integration into Canada’s innovation economy
Explore Our Programs
Canada is where global ideas turn into scalable companies.
YSpace provides international startups with a trusted soft landing pathway into the Canadian market through:
- Business validation and traction-building programs
- Mentorship from Canadian operators and executives
- Ecosystem access across Toronto, Ontario, and national networks
- Support navigating the transition into North American business culture
Our goal is simple: turn global innovation into Canadian economic impact.
The Greater Bay Area is one of the most competitive startup regions in the world — and YSpace is building a direct bridge into Canada.
Through the GBA Challenge, YSpace engages top founders from:
- Hong Kong
- Shenzhen
- Guangzhou
- Macau
- Asia-Pacific innovation networks
Selected startups gain:
- Exposure to Canada’s startup ecosystem
- A chance to win funding and support
- Entry into YSpace’s soft landing and acceleration pathways
**Please note that as of January 1, 2026, IRCC has put a pause on the Startup Visa program. Click here for the official statement.**
The Start-Up Visa program is delivered in two stages. Blueprint is a 6-week intensive designed to help early-stage global tech founders validate and refine their ideas for the Canadian market. Launchpad is a year-long, tailored coaching program focused on strategic growth, execution, and measurable progress.
YSpace Global is powered by deep partnerships with Asia’s leading innovation institutions.
Hong Kong Ecosystem Partners
We collaborate with key startup gateways including:
- HKSTP (Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks)
- Cyberport
- HSITP (Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation & Technology Park)
These partnerships enable high-quality founder pipelines and structured cross-border programming between Asia and Canada.
Korea Ecosystem Partnerships
YSpace is expanding Canada–Korea innovation pathways through:
- Seoul AI Hub
- KBAA (Korea Business Angels Association)
- Corporate innovation and accelerator networks connected to COMEUP and KSGC (K-Startup Grand Challenge)
Together, we are building new opportunities for founders to access:
- Korean enterprise markets
- Global pilot programs
- Investor and government-backed innovation ecosystems
Startups don’t succeed just by relocating — they succeed by learning how ecosystems work.
- YSpace Global trains founders to operate effectively inside:
- Silicon Valley expectations for scale
- Canadian innovation networks
- Asian corporate ecosystems
- US venture and enterprise markets
Through the Schulich Venture Academy Masterclass Series, founders receive venture-grade training across:
- Venture Sales
- Venture Finance
- Venture Operations
- Venture Talent (coming soon)
- Venture Capital & Fundraising Strategy
These programs are designed to help founders build the internal execution capacity required to scale globally.
Why YSpace Global?
The future of entrepreneurship is global.
Founders today must be able to:
- Build across borders
- Scale across ecosystems
- Operate inside global venture markets
- Establish credibility in Canada, Asia, and the US
YSpace Global exists to make that possible with York University as a trusted institutional platform supporting founders at the highest level.
Ready to Expand Globally?
Whether you're an global startup looking to soft land in Canada, or a Canadian founder exploring expansion into the world’s most advanced innovation ecosystems, YSpace Global is your gateway.
Our Team
David Kwok
Director, Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Jason Muloongo
Global Partnerships Manager
Nafis Ahmed
Associate Director of Entrepreneurship
Yeji Hofferber
Global Program Officer
Connect with our Global Team
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YSpace is committed to working with emerging technology, agrifood, products and services. Get in touch today to find out how you can become a part of our community.
Contact us
For more information, please contact us at
yspace@yorku.ca
416-736-2100 ext. 44940
