New network connects Faculties with innovation and entrepreneurship resources

Canadian innovation is getting a major boost with 91亚色's exciting new initiative: The YSpace Network. The Network aims to build on the incredible momentum and success of YSpace, 91亚色's innovation hub, and further expand its capacity to support students, alumni and faculty across 91亚色's campuses, the Greater Toronto Area and around the globe. The initiative opens access to a sophisticated suite of innovation and entrepreneurship services to 91亚色鈥檚 Faculties, empowering collaboration and impact across disciplines.

"91亚色 has built something special, something that is rapidly gaining momentum when it comes to inspiring our students, alumni and faculty to pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations," says Rhonda Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor. "The YSpace Network will ensure we build on that momentum right across our campuses, while leveraging the expertise and communities of powerful Faculty-based startup programs such as Schulich Startups, IP Osgoode and the Lassonde School's BEST program."

The Network has been jointly created by YSpace and the Schulich School of Business, co-led by 91亚色's Director of Entrepreneurship & Innovation David Kwok and Schulich's Executive Director of Innovation & Entrepreneurship Chris Carder, with strategic oversight and institutional support from the Office of the Vice President Research & Innovation. The announcement comes at a time when government and industry are calling on Canadian post-secondary institutions to do more to support innovation and drive economic growth, as featured in

The Lassonde School of Engineering is joining The YSpace Network, marking an exciting beginning for this university-wide collaboration. "Our school has a strong legacy of entrepreneurship thanks to the generosity of Doug Bergeron, whose support established the Bergeron Entrepreneurs in Science and Technology (BEST) program and created the foundation for the success we're building on today. His investment and trust have enabled us to enter this exciting new phase, bringing new connections, resources and opportunities for students, alumni and faculty to commercialize their technologies, strengthen partnerships, and contribute to Canada's innovation economy," says Jane Goodyer, Dean of the Lassonde School of Engineering.

"YSpace was created to ignite innovation and empower the next generation of changemakers,鈥� said Amir Asif, 91亚色鈥檚 Vice President, Research and Innovation. 鈥淚n partnership with the Schulich School of Business, The YSpace Network is charting a bold path forward for 91亚色. This initiative expands our reach and deepens our impact by bridging research, entrepreneurship, and community to drive solutions to global challenges. Together, YSpace and Schulich鈥檚 Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship are shaping a powerful ecosystem where ideas become ventures, and ventures create lasting change. The YSpace Network embodies 91亚色鈥檚 vision for a more innovative, inclusive, and prosperous future.鈥�

The YSpace Network is a milestone that builds on 91亚色's growing momentum as an entrepreneurship and innovation launch pad with a growing footprint in the GTA and beyond. The most recent PitchBook University Rankings had 91亚色's inaugural ranking breaking through in the top 100 globally, followed by news that 91亚色 is ranked fourth in the Panache Ventures national Startup Formation Report.

How Faculties Can Engage with The YSpace Network

The YSpace Network is designed as an opt-in model that allows Faculties to participate at varying levels of engagement:

• Affiliate Membership: open access to YSpace programming streams
• Step-Up Implementations: pop-up programming, competitions and support
• Full Hub Implementations: dedicated on-site hubs with embedded resources

Connect with us directly to explore how your Faculty can join The YSpace Network:

David Kwok, Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, YSpace 鈥� davekwok@yorku.ca

Chris Carder, Executive Director, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Schulich School of Business and Jay Smith & Laura Rapp Chair in Innovation & Entrepreneurship 鈥� ccarder@schulich.yorku.ca

The post Building on success, 91亚色 launches The YSpace Network appeared first on News@91亚色.

With a well-earned reputation as a global technology and innovation hub, the City of Markham was the clear winner when it came to choosing a location for the first new university campus in 91亚色 Region.

Today, 91亚色鈥檚 President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, and honoured guests gathered to officially mark the grand opening of 91亚色鈥檚 Markham Campus.

With technology rich spaces and state-of-the-art equipment, Markham Campus offers students flexible learning formats, small class sizes and the opportunity to round out classroom learning with workplace experiential education.

鈥淪erving the students and meeting the needs of employers in 91亚色 Region and beyond with best-in-class educational experiences and work integrated learning opportunities is our goal. With the first full cohort of students enrolled this fall, we have turned our focus to support their academic needs and professional ambitions 鈥� to set them up for a lifetime of success,鈥� said Rhonda Lenton, president, 91亚色.

The academic programs offered at the campus are responsive to the future skills requirements of businesses in Ontario and 91亚色 Region, supported by an unparalleled commitment to access that ensures diverse learners benefit from dynamic learning spaces while they study and local job prospects when they graduate. Located in or near five provincially significant employment zones, 91亚色 Region is projected to create 15,000 jobs annually through 2030 and Markham Campus is the newest addition to the talent pipeline.

鈥�91亚色鈥檚 new Markham campus is a tremendous addition to 91亚色 Region and all of Ontario,鈥� said Premier Doug Ford. 鈥淭his campus will equip students with the skills needed to succeed in today鈥檚 economy, while supporting the growth of local industries and creating new opportunities right here in Markham. Our government is proud to support this investment in education and innovation, which will drive economic growth and help build Ontario鈥檚 workforce of the future.鈥�

In recent years, 91亚色 has grown its presence in 91亚色 Region and the City of Markham. 91亚色鈥檚 community innovation hub YSpace supports budding entrepreneurs in Markham.

The joyful occasion marks the culmination of many years of collaboration and teamwork, overcoming challenges of a global pandemic, stretched supply chain and more. The stunning new building that is Markham Campus represents significant education infrastructure in downtown Markham 鈥� already bustling with people attending the , nearby GO transit, and the , 91亚色鈥檚 new campus is already seeing keen interest from future students. 91亚色 Region is projected to have the highest growth rate in Ontario in the 18-22-year-old population, increasing by 34 per cent by 2041.

With significant financial support from 91亚色 Region, a generous donation of land from the City of Markham, a vital commitment of operational funding from the province of Ontario, and incredibly generous gifts from donors and philanthropists, Markham Campus is on a path to success.

鈥淚 am thrilled to be here with so many who have been with us on this journey, as supporters, friends, and advocates. Thank you for your continued support and helping us achieve this incredible vision for our innovative new campus,鈥� Lenton concluded.

Visit the website to learn more:

• Unique academic programs offered at Markham Campus can be found here
• More information about becoming an employer partner is available here  
• We invite prospective students & their families to the upcoming Fall Campus Day on November 16 (9:30am-1:00pm) by registering
• Join us to explore the state-of-the-art 91亚色 Markham Campus during the Community Open House on November 16 from 1-5 pm by registering

The post The future of higher education: 91亚色, Premier Doug Ford and honoured guests gather to celebrate Markham Campus grand opening appeared first on News@91亚色.

La version fran莽aise suit la version anglaise.

The entrepreneurially driven initiative teaches non-business participants the foundational skills for identifying opportunities and developing innovative solutions to start a new business.

Gabrielle Cooper-Saint-Cyr had already finished her BA in international studies at 91亚色鈥檚 Glendon College and was part way into a degree in translation services when she saw a poster for Glendon ENtrepreneuriat et Innovation A L鈥檌nternational (GENIAL) initiative on the hallway wall opposite her class.

鈥淚 thought this seems like the exact thing that I'm looking for. And it was already ongoing on campus, which was easily accessible,鈥� she says.

At the time, Cooper-Saint-Cyr was trying to figure out how as a non-business student she could get the entrepreneurial skills and guidance needed to propel her work as a freelance translator forward. The GENIAL initiative did so much more. It gave her the confidence and know how to start her own translation business, not just do it off the side of her desk.

GENIAL, a bilingual initiative, offers Glendon students, Faculties and Ontario francophones training, extracurricular activities, and a research program in entrepreneurship and innovation. 

The fact that the GENIAL entrepreneurial incubator was open to everyone regardless of their degree and was in Cooper-Saint-Cyr鈥檚 first language, French, as well as English was a huge bonus for her.

鈥淚t鈥檚 especially nice if you鈥檙e working and living in Ontario as there aren鈥檛 always French resources available and not everything is bilingual. It also helps establish a better sense of community,鈥� she says. 鈥淭ranslation is not like a traditional company that you're creating, so it was a bit more complicated, but any questions I had was easily answered.鈥�

Cooper-Saint-Cyr is one of the winners of last year鈥檚 business pitch Student Entrepreneurship Competition presented by Glendon GENIAL and Desjardins Financial Group, which donated more than $775,000 to this initiative and a second initiative, YSpace鈥檚 ELLA for women entrepreneurs, to expand both accelerators. That gift helped not only with infrastructure needs for the GENIAL incubator and its Entrepreneurial Skills Passport program (ESP), but also resources for the experiential education component of the courses, specifically in social enterprise design, as well as the entrepreneurship project course. In addition, it allowed more modules to be added to the ESP program and provides seed funding to the student entrepreneurs.

鈥淚t really helped us get to the next level,鈥� says Associate Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship Angelo Dossou-Yovo, who launched the GENIAL initiative in 2017. So far 64 students have gained entrepreneurial knowledge through the ESP program.

This year鈥檚 competition on Sept. 26 will again offer students, interested in developing their entrepreneurial spirit, the opportunity to pitch their venture project and get seed funding. 

Dossou-Yovo joined 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Glendon as a business faculty member in its four-year dual degree program, which offers students the ability to combine two years of studies at Glendon with two additional ones at the Emlyon Business School in France to earn an International Bachelor of Arts (iBA) in International Studies and a Global Bachelor in Business Administration (GBBA).

But when he saw the tremendous interest liberal arts students showed in attaining entrepreneurial skills, he realized there was an opportunity to offer something unique to the francophone and bilingual community.

鈥淚n this initiative we try to create an entrepreneurship mindset by focusing on the early stage of the life cycle of a business. We look at how to identify and develop business opportunities. How to know when something is worth spending time, money and resources on in the long run. The starting point is solving problems, and how to discover and identify opportunities, but also how to test them and make sure that you come up with something with a higher probability of success,鈥� says Dossou-Yovo.

鈥淲e're in the business of helping would-be entrepreneurs and those interested in entrepreneurship to develop entrepreneurship skills they can leverage later on either to create a business or to look for a job in organizations where intrapreneurship skills are needed.鈥�

Within the GENIAL initiative is the 15-week Entrepreneurial Skills Passport Program, a series of workshops, entrepreneurial activities, and presentations, where Cooper-Saint-Cyr developed the skills to start her translation business years before she originally intended. Despite not having a business background, she felt she was in the right place.

鈥淚 received a lot of help throughout. There wasn't ever a point where I was like 鈥極h, this is something I should rethink doing鈥� because I kept getting the help I needed, which is great. If you're going to go into a program of that sort you want to feel like you're on par with all the other students and can learn at the same pace.鈥�

The final piece, the pitch competition, teaches students to communicate the value of their business to potential partners and to hopefully attract seed funding to launch and scale their business.

Although Cooper-Saint-Cyr wasn鈥檛 sure what to expect when she started, she says, 鈥渋t definitely went beyond my hopes.鈥� By the end of a few months, including some time off to concentrate on her other studies, she had already registered her company and lined up several contracts.

鈥淭hat was amazing. They know what they're doing for one, but they also know when to push and when to allow you to take a step back. They are great in helping you push forward when you have your doubts.鈥�

She is now looking to expand her business and offer more services.

鈥淚 think that's a success story,鈥� says Dossou-Yovo. 鈥淵ou know, that wouldn't be possible if she did not have access to the GENIAL initiative while being student at Glendon.鈥�

It鈥檚 also another way organizations like Desjardins are stepping up to help 91亚色 create positive change now and into the future.

L鈥檌nitiative GENIAL de Glendon aide la population 茅tudiante et les communaut茅s francophones de l鈥橭ntario 脿 exceller

Cette d茅marche ax茅e sur l鈥檈ntrepreneuriat inculque aux personnes qui d茅butent en affaires les comp茅tences fondamentales qui leur permettront d鈥檌dentifier des occasions et de concevoir des approches in茅dites pour cr茅er leur entreprise.

Ayant d茅j脿 脿 son actif un baccalaur茅at en 茅tudes internationales du Coll猫ge universitaire Glendon de l鈥橴niversit茅 91亚色, Gabrielle Cooper-Saint-Cyr pr茅parait un dipl么me en traduction lorsqu鈥檈lle a remarqu茅 une affiche GENIAL (Glendon ENtrepreneuriat et Innovation 脌 L鈥檌nternational) sur le mur en face de sa classe.

芦 Je me suis dit que c鈥櫭﹖ait exactement ce que je cherchais. Le projet 茅tait d茅j脿 en cours sur mon campus, alors c鈥櫭﹖ait tr猫s facile d鈥檡 acc茅der. 禄, explique-t-elle.

脌 l鈥櫭﹑oque, Mme Cooper-Saint-Cyr cherchait 脿 d茅velopper ses comp茅tences entrepreneuriales en tant qu鈥櫭﹖udiante non form茅e dans ce domaine afin de mieux g茅rer sa future carri猫re de traductrice autonome. GENIAL a fait beaucoup plus pour elle : en plus de lui fournir les comp茅tences techniques et la confiance n茅cessaires, l鈥檌nitiative l鈥檃 encourag茅e 脿 fonder une entreprise de traduction.

GENIAL est une initiative bilingue qui offre 脿 la population 茅tudiante de Glendon, aux facult茅s et aux francophones de l鈥橭ntario une formation, des activit茅s para-universitaires et un programme de recherche en entrepreneuriat et en innovation. 

Le fait que l鈥檌ncubateur entrepreneurial GENIAL soit ouvert 脿 tout le monde 鈥� peu importe leur dipl么me 鈥�, et qu鈥檌l soit offert en fran莽ais (la langue maternelle de Mme Cooper-Saint-Cyr) ainsi qu鈥檈n anglais 茅tait un 茅norme atout.

芦 C鈥檈st particuli猫rement utile si vous travaillez et vivez en Ontario, car tout n鈥檈st pas bilingue et des ressources ne sont pas toujours offertes en fran莽ais, explique-t-elle. De plus, le programme renforce notre sentiment d鈥檃ppartenance 脿 la communaut茅. Une entreprise de traduction diff猫re beaucoup d鈥檜ne entreprise traditionnelle. Je n鈥檃i toutefois eu aucun mal 脿 obtenir des r茅ponses satisfaisantes 脿 mes questions. 禄

Mme聽Cooper-Saint-Cyr faisait partie des 茅tudiants et 茅tudiantes ayant remport茅 la comp茅tition entrepreneuriale de l鈥檃nn茅e pr茅c茅dente, organis茅e par GENIAL et commandit茅e par le groupe Desjardins, qui avait contribu茅 plus de 775鈥�000聽$ 脿 cette initiative ainsi qu鈥櫭犅爈鈥檌nitiative ELLA de YSpace 鈥� qui est consacr茅e aux femmes entrepreneures 颅鈥�, afin de renforcer ces deux acc茅l茅rateurs. Ce don a permis non seulement de r茅pondre aux besoins en infrastructure de l鈥檌ncubateur GENIAL et de son programme Passeport Comp茅tences entrepreneuriales (PCE), mais aussi de fournir des ressources pour la composante d鈥櫭ヾucation exp茅rientielle des cours, notamment pour la cr茅ation d鈥檈ntreprises 脿 vocation sociale, ainsi que pour le cours sur les projets d鈥檈ntrepreneuriat. De plus, il a permis d鈥檃jouter des modules au programme PCE et de fournir un financement d鈥檃mor莽age aux 茅tudiant飧眅飧眘 entrepreneur飧眅飧眘.

芦聽Nous avons pu passer 脿 la vitesse sup茅rieure聽禄, d茅clare Angelo Dossou-Yovo, professeur agr茅g茅 de gestion et d鈥檈ntrepreneuriat et fondateur de l鈥檌nitiative GENIAL en 2017. 脌 ce jour, 64聽茅tudiantes et 茅tudiants ont acquis des connaissances en entrepreneuriat gr芒ce au programme PCE.

Cette ann茅e encore, la comp茅tition du 26 septembre offrira aux 茅tudiantes et 茅tudiants d茅sireux de d茅velopper leur esprit d鈥檈ntrepreneuriat la possibilit茅 de pr茅senter leur projet et d鈥檕btenir un financement d鈥檃mor莽age. 

脌 son arriv茅e 脿 Glendon, M. Dossou-Yovo enseignait le commerce dans le cadre du programme de double dipl么me en quatre ans du coll猫ge universitaire, qui donne aux 茅tudiant飧眅飧眘 la possibilit茅 de combiner deux ann茅es d鈥櫭﹖udes 脿 Glendon avec deux ann茅es 脿 l鈥櫭塩ole de commerce emlyon en France afin d鈥檕btenir un baccalaur茅at international 猫s arts (i.B.A.) en 茅tudes internationales et un baccalaur茅at en administration des affaires (B.A.A.).

Cependant, quand il a r茅alis茅 l鈥檈ngouement des jeunes universitaires pour le d茅veloppement de comp茅tences entrepreneuriales, il a souhait茅 lancer un projet unique en son genre pour la population francophone et bilingue.

芦 Dans le cadre de cette initiative, nous tentons de d茅velopper un esprit d鈥檈ntreprise en nous concentrant sur les premi猫res 茅tapes du cycle de vie d鈥檜ne entreprise. Nous examinons les moyens de d茅finir et de d茅velopper des occasions d鈥檃ffaires, c鈥檈st-脿-dire savoir si un projet vaut la peine qu鈥檕n y consacre du temps, de l鈥檃rgent et des ressources 脿 long terme. Tout commence par la r茅solution de probl猫mes, la recherche, l鈥櫭﹙aluation et la validation de possibilit茅s commerciales pour maximiser les chances de r茅ussite 禄, explique M. Dossou-Yovo.

芦 Nous aidons les entrepreneur飧眅飧眘 en herbe et les personnes int茅ress茅es par l鈥檈ntrepreneuriat 脿 d茅velopper des comp茅tences entrepreneuriales qu鈥檈lles pourront exploiter plus tard, soit pour cr茅er une entreprise, soit pour chercher un emploi dans des organisations o霉 les comp茅tences entrepreneuriales sont n茅cessaires. 禄

Gr芒ce au programme Passeport Comp茅tences entrepreneuriales de 15 semaines propos茅es dans le cadre du projet GENIAL, Mme Cooper-Saint-Cyr a pu d茅velopper les comp茅tences n茅cessaires pour cr茅er sa propre entreprise de traduction. Cela s鈥檈st fait bien bien plus t么t que pr茅vu. Bien qu鈥檈lle n鈥檃it pas de formation commerciale, elle s鈥檈st sentie au bon endroit.

芦 J鈥檃i re莽u beaucoup d鈥檃ide tout au long du processus. Je n鈥檃i jamais remis mon choix en question parce que j鈥檃i continu茅 脿 recevoir le support n茅cessaire, ce qui 茅tait formidable. Quand on s鈥檈ngage dans un tel programme, on veut avoir l鈥檌mpression d鈥櫭猼re sur un pied d鈥櫭ゞalit茅 et d鈥檃pprendre au m锚me rythme que tout le monde. 禄

La derni猫re 茅tape, la comp茅tition 芦 pitch publique 禄, permet aux jeunes entrepreneurs et entrepreneures d鈥檃pprendre 脿 pr茅senter les atouts de leur entreprise aupr猫s de futurs partenaires, dans l鈥檈spoir d鈥檕btenir un financement pour en acc茅l茅rer le d茅veloppement.

M锚me si Mme Cooper-Saint-Cyr ne savait pas trop 脿 quoi s鈥檃ttendre lorsqu鈥檈lle a commenc茅, elle affirme que les r茅sultats ont d茅pass茅 toutes ses esp茅rances. Au bout de quelques mois seulement 鈥� avec quelques interruptions pour se consacrer 脿 ses 茅tudes 鈥�, elle a fond茅 son entreprise et obtenu plusieurs contrats.

芦 C鈥櫭﹖ait incroyable. Ils s鈥檡 prennent tr猫s bien et ils savent quand il faut pousser et quand on peut prendre un peu de recul. Ils nous aident 脿 continuer d鈥檃vancer quand on a des doutes. 禄

Mme Cooper-Saint-Cyr cherche maintenant 脿 d茅velopper son entreprise et 脿 bonifier son offre de services.

芦 Je pense, d茅clare M. Dossou-Yovo, que c鈥檈st un bel exemple de r茅ussite qui n鈥檃urait pas 茅t茅 possible sans l鈥檃cc猫s 脿 l鈥檌nitiative GENIAL durant ses 茅tudes 脿 Glendon. 禄

C鈥檈st aussi une autre fa莽on pour des organisations comme Desjardins d鈥檃ider 91亚色 脿 susciter des changements positifs aujourd鈥檋ui et 脿 l鈥檃venir.

The post Glendon鈥檚 GENIAL initiative helps Ontario francophone students and communities excel appeared first on News@91亚色.

TORONTO, Feb. 15, 2024 鈥� 91亚色 and the Treefrog Accelerator have partnered with (91亚色 Region) to give businesses led by international talent and women entrepreneurs a JumpSTART in 91亚色 Region with .

91亚色 Regional Council has committed $1.08 million in funding from the 91亚色 Region Innovation Investment Fund over three years for Project JumpSTART to continue strengthening 91亚色 Region鈥檚 business economy through fostering innovation with a focus on international and women-led tech entrepreneurs.

"Economic vitality remains a  for 91亚色 Regional Council and it is integral our local businesses have resources to help them succeed,鈥� said 91亚色 Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson. "Additional funding provided through 91亚色 Region鈥檚 Innovation Fund will empower growing businesses, attract international entrepreneurs and support foreign direct investment, strengthening 91亚色 Region as a thriving hub for talent and opportunity.鈥�

Project JumpSTART is a partnership between 91亚色鈥檚 YSpace, the and the . The Towns of East Gwillimbury, Georgina and Newmarket are also collaborators in this initiative.

鈥淭his initiative builds on 91亚色鈥檚 long-standing partnership with 91亚色 Region to combine skills, knowledge and resources to support and bring new small businesses, innovators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers as well as economic prosperity to the region,鈥� says 91亚色 President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton. 鈥淲ith just over 17 per cent of Canadian businesses owned by women in the private sector, JumpSTART will bring much needed support for women entrepreneurs, help reduce the notable gender disparities in Canada鈥檚 entrepreneurial ecosystem and help to attract international entrepreneurs to choose 91亚色 Region.鈥�

Project JumpSTART will leverage the funding to expand 91亚色鈥檚 YSpace ELLA Program and Treefrog Inc.鈥檚 , to achieve the following:

• Increase local employment and economic growth by attracting new innovation and tech-centric businesses to establish operations in 91亚色 Region
• Promote equity and diversity in entrepreneurship by supporting international and female-founders to settle locally
• Expand business and entrepreneurship guidance, resources and increase innovation support capacity for the northern six municipalities, a historically underserved area of 91亚色 Region, operating out of hubs at the Treefrog Accelerator, YSpace Georgina and YSpace Markham
• Continued focus on foreign direct investment and soft-landing for technology businesses and entrepreneurs

Participants will have access to workshops and mentorship opportunities as well as the potential for specialized training through the , in addition to insights from Schulich-prepared market readiness reports that will help ease the transition into the region. Women in particular can tap into networking and collaboration opportunities.

YSpace is a pan-91亚色 innovation hub that supports startups and entrepreneurs with some 784 technology, food and beverage, women-led and Black-led ventures supported. YSpace businesses have generated $205 million in revenue, created 1,302 jobs and 1,092 work integrated opportunities since 2018.

Accelerate Newmarket is a consortium of the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce, Schulich School of Business, YSpace and Treefrog Inc. Through this partnership from 2021 to 2023, the Treefrog Accelerator, through Accelerate Newmarket has supported 370 ventures which have collectively raised more than $30 million.

The post More than $1M in funding approved to support women entrepreneurs and attract international businesses to 91亚色 Region appeared first on News@91亚色.

There are huge obstacles to starting a new business, but when it鈥檚 a Black-led venture, the barriers multiply. That鈥檚 why the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance and partners, including 91亚色, are doing the work to help give Black entrepreneurs the tools and supports they need to achieve success.

Across Canada only 2.1 per cent of businesses are Blacked-owned and that figure falls to about a quarter per cent for Black-women-led business.

鈥淏lack businesses have been historically disenfranchised from access to capital, knowledge and resources to grow their businesses. Less than two per cent of venture capital funding goes to Black founders. The absence of funding for Black-led companies negatively impacts the resilience and competitive edge of the Canadian economy,鈥� says Olu Villasa, program manager at the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance, considered the first Black-focussed entrepreneurship program in northwest Toronto.

Addressing the challenges Black entrepreneurs face takes collaboration and teamwork to break down systemic barriers.

Through the (BEA) 鈥� an initiative funded through the and in collaboration with 91亚色鈥檚 YSpace, TD Community Engagement Centre, and the 鈥� 238 ventures in Black-led tech, food and beverages have been supported so far and growing. The goal of the BEA, which receives funding from Canada鈥檚 Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, is to increase Black entrepreneurship, help break through barriers, reduce inequity, create a sense of community and resilience, invest in those communities and support through resources and tools.

The newest development out of the collaborative initiative will help young Black men under the age of 30 to fulfill their entrepreneurial dreams through the inaugural Alfred Anucha Award in Entrepreneurship (A3E). The A3E was created and funded through an initial donation of $50,000 by the Anucha family and in partnership with YSpace and the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance.

鈥淭he generous donation by the Anucha family will serve as a lasting memory of a loving and brilliant young Black man whose light will continue to shine through the start-ups being supported through this award,鈥� says Black Creek Community Health Centre鈥檚 Executive Director Cheryl Prescod.

Four aspiring Black entrepreneurs recently won the award, which includes $2,500 each and an opportunity to participate in free, specialized entrepreneurship programming through YSpace.

The award commemorates former 91亚色 student Alfred Anucha, a visionary, young entrepreneur who passed away at the age of 26, whose mother, 91亚色 Associate Professor Uzo Anucha, the 91亚色 Research Chair in Youth and Contexts of Inequity, teaches at the School of Social Work in the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stopped by earlier on award day to speak with competitors and was greeted by 91亚色 President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton and Black Creek Community Health Centre鈥檚 Executive Director Cheryl Prescod, while Member of Parliament for Humber River-Black Creek Judy Sgro and MP for Hamilton West, Ancaster, Dundas and Minister of Federal Economic Development Filomena Tassi, along with the BEA team and leadership staff from Black Creek Community Health Centre, were also in attendance.

As Alfred鈥檚 sister Adanna Anucha says: 鈥淏et on Yourself. Bet on the Future. This was Alfred鈥檚 mantra and encapsulates the vision of A3E鈥�.We hope this award will serve as a living tribute and memorial to honour Alfred's legacy as a true innovator and dreamer.鈥�

Another way 91亚色 and the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance is helping to nurture Black entrepreneurs is through the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance and YSpace鈥檚 Investment Bootcamp program to support Black founders navigate key stages in their startup journey. It鈥檚 a four-month program designed for early-stage and capital ready, Black-led startups ready to secure funding through access to bridging capital, educational workshops on navigating pre-seed and seed stage financing, mentorship, one-on-one coaching, advising on fundraising strategy, and connections building between ventures & investment network.

鈥淲e know that historically, less than one per cent of investments go to Black founders in North America. Our hope with this program is to create a greater pipeline of Black-led ventures that are investment ready as well as build a network of investors that are committed to investing in Black-led ventures,鈥� says David Kwok, director of entrepreneurship and innovation at 91亚色鈥檚 YSpace

By joining together, the next generation of Black-led initiatives can aspire to more on their way to success.

The post Collaboration gives Black entrepreneurs support and funding for success appeared first on News@91亚色.

Hub supports entrepreneurship, economic growth in Georgina and East Gwillimbury

TORONTO, Aug. 5, 2022 鈥� In partnership with the Towns of Georgina and East Gwillimbury, 91亚色 is pleased to officially open a new  location in northern 91亚色 Region 鈥� supporting local start-ups and existing businesses during the recovery phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

From left to right: Town of Georgina Mayor Margaret Quirk, Minister Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation and Francophone Affairs and 91亚色-Simcoe MPP, Town of East Gwillimbury Mayor Virginia Hackson, 91亚色鈥檚 Vice-President Research & Innovation Amir Asif, local entrepreneur Amanda Gordon, 91亚色-Simcoe MP Scot Davidson, and Economic Development Manager of Georgina Karyn Stone.

, the new YSpace Georgina Business Incubator/Accelerator Hub located at 1 Market St. in Sutton, Ont., offers computer access, internet, video conferencing solutions, photography tools for e-commerce and online content creation, collaboration spaces, programming support, and business community resources. It offers both in-person and virtual learning opportunities to allow for collaboration with other business owners and create connections with mentors.

鈥淏y leveraging the success of YSpace鈥檚 programs and making customized resources available to the Town of Georgina and the Town of East Gwillimbury, 91亚色 is facilitating entrepreneurship and business acceleration in northern 91亚色 Region,鈥� says 91亚色鈥檚 Vice-President Research and Innovation Amir Asif. 鈥淲e look forward to further strengthening this partnership and witnessing the ideas that participating entrepreneurs bring to life 鈥� contributing to the region鈥檚 knowledge-based economy and creating positive change in their communities and beyond.鈥�

鈥�I am extremely excited about our partnership with 91亚色鈥檚 YSpace and the Town of East Gwillimbury on the expansion of YSpace programming into northern 91亚色 Region,鈥� says Georgina Mayor Margaret Quirk. 鈥淭he YSpace Georgina Business Incubator/Accelerator space will help remove the barriers to entrepreneurship and business acceleration in rural communities. It will provide the tools and support to help advance those existing businesses and to encourage the creation of new ones.鈥�

鈥淓ntrepreneurship and business development are key factors in building complete communities," says East Gwillimbury Mayor Virginia Hackson. "Through this partnership, our local business communities will have access to the necessary tools and training opportunities that will assist them with creating and advancing their business. I look forward to the future of this partnership and continuing to help local businesses succeed in East Gwillimbury and Georgina."

Amanda Gordon, Founder of Cloverhill flowers and former YSpace program participant, talks about how the program was critical in supporting the growth of her small business.

To find out more, visit .

-30-

About 91亚色:

91亚色 is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change and prepare our students for success. 91亚色's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91亚色鈥檚 campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

About Town of Georgina:

Georgina is located on Lake Simcoe, the largest inland lake in southern Ontario, excluding the Great Lakes. Only one-hour drive north of Toronto, the Town is a desired destination for anyone who enjoys outdoor activities all year long. Many describe the Town as a community of communities, each one rich in history with a wealth of recreational activities and attractions. The Town is home to Sibbald Point Provincial Park, Stephen Leacock Theatre of Performing Arts, 91亚色 Region鈥檚 Adventure Headquarters 鈥� the ROC and is one of the top fishing destinations in Ontario.

About Town of East Gwillimbury:

The Town of East Gwillimbury is Canada鈥檚 fastest growing municipality (with more than 5,000 residents) according to 2021 Census Canada data. The Town provides several programs and services to approximately 36,000 residents, while maintaining more than 80 percent of its green space. To learn more about the Town, visit www.eastgwillimbury.ca.

Media Contacts:

Kayla Lewis, 91亚色, 416-455-4710, lewiskay@yorku.ca

Tanya Thompson, Town of Georgina, 905-476-4305, ext. 2446, tathompson@georgina.ca

Meeta Gandhi, Town of East Gwillimbury, 905-478-4283, ext. 3854, mgandhi@eastgwillimbury.ca

The post 91亚色 officially opens newest YSpace location in northern 91亚色 Region appeared first on News@91亚色.

TORONTO, Nov. 2, 2017 鈥� 91亚色 will officially open its new innovation and entrepreneurship centre, in downtown Markham on Monday.

YSpace will offer students, members of the community and startups, a large-scale co-working space and a maker space, where they can access training programs for entrepreneurs, connect with other organizations in the community, and build virtual or actual prototypes.

The new entrepreneurship centre is already reaching out to community and private sector partners to promote and support creativity in the community, where 91亚色 will open its Markham Centre campus in 2021.

Rhonda Lenton, 91亚色 president and vice-chancellor, and Rob Hach茅, vice-president research & innovation, will open the centre with Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti.

Representatives of a dozen startups that have benefitted from Innovation 91亚色鈥檚 programs and services will demonstrate their products and technologies, and how they are commercializing them.

Among the many products and technologies being featured at the opening are:

• A bed sheet that monitors patients wirelessly using fabric sensor technology;
• Technology to help realtors produce 3D showcases of homes;
• A food science technology designed to help address world hunger by making freeze drying much more accessible; and
• A mobile app to provide translation service for emergency patients with limited language proficiency.

WHAT: 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Opening of YSpace innovation and entrepreneurship centre in Markham

WHEN: 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Monday Nov. 6, 2017, 1 to 3pm

WHERE: 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 169 Enterprise Blvd., Markham (Cineplex Complex), 3rd floor,

聽is known for championing new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-discipline programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. 91亚色 students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world鈥檚 most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. 91亚色 U is an internationally recognized research university 鈥� our 11 faculties and 26 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide. Located in Toronto, 91亚色 is the third largest university in Canada, with a strong community of 53,000 students, 7,000 faculty and administrative staff, and more than 295,000 alumni. 91亚色 U's fully bilingual Glendon campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education.

Media Contact:
Janice Walls, 91亚色 Media Relations, 416 455 4710 (mobile), wallsj@yorku.ca

The post 91亚色 U bringing together innovators and entrepreneurs in new maker space in Markham appeared first on News@91亚色.