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Italia360

Build Your Venture & Win a Trip to Italy. All in 8 Weeks.

Italia360 is an 8-week intensive program designed to empower early stage founders as they move from ideation to launch. Through hands-on workshops, peer accountability, expert mentorship and clear pathways, founders validate their ideas, build functional MVPs, refine their brand and go-to-market strategy and deliver competitive pitches.

Italia360 is dedicated to empowering ambitious Canadian entrepreneurs who are first & second-generation immigrants, equipping them with the mentorship, resources, and community needed to turn their ideas into successful businesses.

For more information on Italia360, visit https://italia360.ca/

Join our waitlist

Where Heritage Meets Entrepreneurial Ambition

Italia360 is more than a program — it's a launchpad for founders who carry more than one world with them. Over 8 weeks, you will turn your business idea into something real: validated, positioned, and pitch-ready. If you're a first-generation or second-generation Canadian with a bold idea, you will leave with hands-on experience, dedicated mentorship, and a community that lasts well beyond the program.

At Italia360, you will get

01
Expert Mentorship

Weekly 1-on-1 sessions (30–45 min) with experienced founders, operators, and investors who push your thinking forward.

02
Hands-On Workshops

8 in-person workshops covering concept validation, customer discovery, business modelling, MVP development, legal basics, branding, and pitch training.

03
Peer Accountability Circles

Optional biweekly peer circles to share progress, get unstuck, and build real relationships with fellow founders in your cohort.

04
Pitch Day

Deliver a polished pitch to a panel of judges and investors at the culminating Pitch Day event on September 1, 2026.

05
Community & Network

Join a growing network of entrepreneurs with immigrant roots across Canada. What you build here lasts beyond the 8 weeks.

Plus, after the program, the winner wins more than bragging rights. They win a round trip to Italy.

8-Week Roadmap at Italia360

Get a glimpse of what your 8 weeks look like with Italia360 this summer, from your first day as a cohort to the moment you pitch in front of investors.

Kickoff
22
June 2026
Cohort Welcome & Orientation

Meet your cohort and set your roadmap for the 8 weeks ahead.

Week 1
08
July 2026
Concept Validation

Test your assumptions before you build.

Week 2
15
July 2026
Customer Discovery

Turn real interviews into decisions that stick.

Week 3
22
July 2026
Business Modelling

Map your revenue, costs, and value proposition.

Week 4
29
July 2026
Pitching

Build the confidence to pitch anyone, anywhere.

Week 5
05
August 2026
MVP Development

Ship something real — define the scope and prioritize features.

Week 6
12
August 2026
Legal 101

IP, protection pathways and strategies — simplified.

Week 7
19
August 2026
Branding, Go-to-Market & Sales

Position your offer and close your first customers.

Week 8
26
August 2026
Pitch Practice

Final rehearsal — walk in polished and ready.

Pitch Day
1
September 2026
Demo & Pitch Day

Present to ecosystem partners and celebrate what you've built.

Timeline

From your first application to your final showcase — here's the full journey.

Applications open

May 1st, 2026

Applications Close

May 22nd, 2026

Program kick-off day

June 23rd, 2026

Program Duration

July - August 2026

Demo day

September 1st, 2026

Application process

Step: One

Applications for the 2026 cohort open on May 1st! Stay tuned.

If you have any questions about the application process, email us at yspace@yorku.ca

Join our waitlist

Step: Two

Short-listed candidates will be invited to interview in early June.

Step: Three

The selected participants will be notified in mid June with program kick off and orientation in late June. 

Program eligibility

To qualify for the program, individuals must:

  • First and second-generation Canadians 
  • Minimum 18-years of age 
  • Venture no longer than 36 months old
  • Have a clearly defined problem and proposed solution (ideation or MVP stage)
  • Passion to validate and launch their business
  • Commitment to participating in the full program (attendance at virtual check-ins, weekly in-person workshops, Launch Event and Pitch Day are mandatory)
  • Be open to feedback, learning, and peer-to-peer collaboration

Frequently asked

Italia360 is for early-stage founders with ventures no longer than 36-months old, who are first- or second-generation Canadians who are minimum 18-years of age.

Priority will be given to first and second generation Canadians (Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents, Protected Persons/Refugees). International students are welcome to apply, their applications will be added to the waitlist and will be considered if there are remaining spots in the program.

No. You can apply at the ideation, prototype, or MVP stage—as long as you have a clearly defined problem and proposed solution, and are ready and committed to validate and build.

The core weekly workshops are in-person at York University’s Keele Campus with mentorship and accountability sessions online. There are also optional biweekly peer circles that will be online. 

Expect weekly in-person workshops (2 hours, from 6PM- 8PM on a weekday), optional bi-weekly virtual peer circles (1 hour, bi-weekly), and weekly virtual mentorship/accountability sessions (30–45 minutes), plus independent work between sessions.

The program runs July to August 2026, with key milestones including a Launch Event (June 23, 2026) and Pitch Day (September 1, 2026).

Weekly workshops take place at York University’s Keele Campus. The Launch Event will be at Columbus Centre (June 23, 2026) and the Pitch Day will be at York University’s Keele Campus (September 1, 2026).

Hands-on workshops and mentorship with seasoned entrepreneurs and industry experts, accountability support, and access to a supportive community designed to help founders validate their idea, build an MVP, refine their go-to-market strategy and pitch.

Plus, the winner will receive a prize - a trip to Italy!

No, the program is free and we do not take equity from the ventures!

A maximum of 12 ventures will be chosen for the program.

Applications open May 1, 2026 and close May 22, 2026. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interviews with selection decisions shared by June 8, 2026.

You must be able to attend the mandatory program components (weekly in-person workshops, required check-ins, Launch Event, and Pitch Day). The value of the program comes from your active participation so it is important that you set the time aside to actively take part.

Please contact the YSpace team at yspace@yorku.ca and indicate Italia360 in the subject line.

Applications Open Soon!

Applications for 2026 cohort open on May 1st. Stay tuned!

Join the Waitlist

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Contact us

For more information, please contact us at
yspace@yorku.ca
416-736-2100 ext. 44940