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Technology - Venture Catalyst

Venture Catalyst

The Venture Catalyst program, in partnership with the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA),Ìýis a 2-month program designed for founders at the early stage of development — whether you’re shaping your first conceptÌý´Ç°ùÌýrefining an MVP.ÌýÌý

The Winter cohort (January–April) also offers dedicated mobility innovation support through Venture Mobility Catalyst, expanding beyond traditional tech ventures to support founders driving advancements in transportation, electric vehicles, smart infrastructure, and more.

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What to expect

´¡³¦°ù´Ç²õ²õÌý2 months, the program goes beyond validation; helping founders stress-test their business model,Ìýsharpen go-to-market strategies, and strengthen early traction, so their venture is built on a solid foundation. Through expert mentorship,Ìýinteractive workshops,Ìý²¹²Ô»åÌýpeer support, founders gain practical tools to drive early traction, avoid costly missteps, and prepare for long-term success. By the end of the program,Ìýfounders walk away with clarity, confidence, and a stronger strategy to scale your venture. 

Community

Upon completion of the 2-month cohort, select companies may have the opportunity to join the YSpace Virtual Membership Program for continued growth through our support system.

Leadership development

Founders gain exclusive access to curated leadership content, personal growth accountability, and peer-to-peer support through their incubation period.

Growth frameworks

Gain practical knowledge on customer development and go-to-market strategies to launch your product.

Milestone driven

Actively work towards the launch of your tech venture. Our programs are goal driven, using proven frameworks that put founders in the driver seat while we help them reach their end destination.

Timeline

Applications Open

August 25th, 2026

Applications Close

September 25th, 2026

Final Acceptance

October 2025

Programming Starts

October 21st, 2026

Demo Day

December 10th, 2026

Application process

Step: One

Applications are now closed. Join our program waitlist to stay updated.

If you have any questions email us at yspace@yorku.ca

Specialised support available for Black-Led businesses and Mobility Focused businesses.
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Step: Two

If chosen, applicants will be contacted by the YSpace team to schedule a video call meeting.

An initial meeting will be set up to review the business as well as the current status of the company. This opportunity will also be used to understand the leadership team and concept viability better.

Step: Three

Accepted companies will be invited to join the cohort and will gain access to resources and support for development.

YSpace Launch cohort members will have access to curated programming and a variety of tailored resources which include a network of industry experts, startup perks, as well as peer founder circles to continue developing their venture.

Program eligibility

  • The Venture Catalyst serves early stage founders going through the ideation process and validating the feasibility of the concept.
  • We are looking for founders with innovative tech concepts. Founders who are driven, coachable and collaborative with a growth mindset.

Frequently asked

We are looking for early-stage Founders who are driven, coachable, and have a growth mindset. The ideal company is likely still in ideation or early validation phases, with a goal to validate their market and launch an MVP in the next 3 months.

The program remains sector-agnostic, supporting technology-based ventures across all industries.

However, we’ve recently expanded to include specialized support for mobility-focused ventures, such as transportation, electric vehicles, smart infrastructure, and more.

NOTHING! It is a free program for everyone and we do not take any equity in the company!

The program is open to everyone in the community, as long as they are dedicated founders who are willing to put in the committed time to grow the venture.

The program runs from the beginning for two months during the Winter (March – April) and Fall (November to December) with a Pitch Showcase event at the end. On a weekly basis, the venture should devote a minimum of 5 hours for workshops, mentorship sessions, and venture development.

There are five (4) key components within the program:

  • Weekly Peer-to-peer sessions
  • Hands-on workshops with leading industry experts
  • Office hours with a private network of subject matter experts.
  • A dedicated mentor guiding your entrepreneurial journey.

Each cohort will accept up to 15–20 ventures in total, including 5–10 ventures selected specifically for the mobility innovation stream.

Join the Waitlist

Applications are now closed. Join our waitlist to stay updated!

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

Join the Waitlist

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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