YSpace

YSpace is York University’s pan-university entrepreneurship and innovation hub, supporting startups, scaleups, students, researchers, and founders across diverse sectors and communities. Our programs support founders at every stage, from scaling innovative technologies through customer and investor capital, to helping agri-food businesses break into mass retail. We also deliver sector-focused initiatives such as SmartTO for mobility and automotive innovation, alongside equity-driven programs including ELLA, powered by Desjardins, for women-led ventures and the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA) for Black-led businesses. Through global partnerships and a growing international network, YSpace connects entrepreneurs to opportunities beyond borders. We operate three physical hubs across the City of Toronto, the City of Markham, and the Town of Georgina, anchoring innovation locally while building impact globally. What We Offer ▪ Founder-first community We put our founders at the core of what we do and serve them to the best of our ability by creating an inclusive and supportive environment that focuses on the growth of our founders. ▪ Customized mentorship Matching our entrepreneurs with mentors and subject matter experts from similar industries or with similar lived experiences to provide curated support. ▪ Dedicated programming Our suite of programs targets both the technology and the consumer-packaged goods space, along with our diversity streams in women and Black entrepreneurship. ▪ Startup lifecycle support Our suite of programs is designed to meet the entrepreneurs where they are in the life cycle and offer support as they grow with us. ▪ Access to capital & industry networks As the business grows, we equally focus on the development of the founder as a business leader and an individual. ▪ Leadership development Connect with investors and industry leaders through networking events, office hours, and vetted connections