YSpace Venture Catalyst Startup Program (Fall 2026)

Organization: YSpace, York University

Type: Other

Location: Canada (Ontario)

Deadline: September 25, 2026

Funding: No Funding

YSpace, York University's incubator and accelerator, runs Venture Catalyst with the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance to help early-stage tech founders take an idea to a proof of concept in two months. It is free, YSpace takes no equity, and you do not need to be a York student, graduate or staff member. The Fall 2026 cohort runs from October 21 to a Demo Day on December 10. **What you get:** - A dedicated mentor to guide you through the program - Hands-on workshops led by industry experts, plus office hours with a private network of subject matter experts - Weekly peer-to-peer sessions with the other founders in your cohort - Practical frameworks for customer development and go-to-market strategy, and curated leadership content - A Demo Day on December 10, 2026, where you present your venture to investors and industry experts - The whole program at no cost, with no equity taken - For selected companies, a chance to join the YSpace Virtual Membership Program afterwards - In the Black Entrepreneurship Stream, mentorship from Black tech founders and ongoing access to the BEA Learning Community's peer founder circles and startup perks **What you'll do:** - Stress-test your business model, sharpen your go-to-market strategy and build early traction towards launching an MVP - Give at least 5 hours a week to workshops, mentorship sessions and developing your venture - Work towards set milestones using YSpace's goal-driven frameworks - Learn online: the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance describes the program as 100 percent virtual - Pitch your venture at Demo Day on December 10, 2026 **Key dates:** - Applications opened August 25, 2026 - Applications close September 25, 2026 - Final acceptance October 9, 2026 - Programming starts October 21, 2026 - Demo Day December 10, 2026 - YSpace also runs a Winter cohort, which adds the Venture Mobility Catalyst stream for transportation and smart infrastructure ventures; Winter 2027 dates are not yet published **More information:** - YSpace accepts up to 15 to 20 ventures per cohort - If shortlisted, you are invited to a video call to review your business, its current status, your leadership team and the concept's viability - The application asks for your company name, links to online profiles, an elevator pitch, your stage and business model, 2 to 3 milestones for the next three months, and details for each founder; a pitch deck is optional - You choose between the YSpace General Intake and the Black Entrepreneurship Stream on the same application form - Questions go to yspace@yorku.ca, or bea@bcchc.com for the Black Entrepreneurship Stream

YSpace, York UniversityOther

YSpace Venture Catalyst Startup Program (Fall 2026)

Sep 25, 2026 23:59:00 ET

Opportunity type

Other

Funding

No Funding

Location

Canada (Ontario)

Deadline

Sep 25, 2026 23:59:00 ET

About this opportunity

What you get:

A dedicated mentor to guide you through the program
Hands-on workshops led by industry experts, plus office hours with a private network of subject matter experts
Weekly peer-to-peer sessions with the other founders in your cohort
Practical frameworks for customer development and go-to-market strategy, and curated leadership content
A Demo Day on December 10, 2026, where you present your venture to investors and industry experts
The whole program at no cost, with no equity taken
For selected companies, a chance to join the YSpace Virtual Membership Program afterwards
In the Black Entrepreneurship Stream, mentorship from Black tech founders and ongoing access to the BEA Learning Community's peer founder circles and startup perks

What you'll do:

Stress-test your business model, sharpen your go-to-market strategy and build early traction towards launching an MVP
Give at least 5 hours a week to workshops, mentorship sessions and developing your venture
Work towards set milestones using YSpace's goal-driven frameworks
Learn online: the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance describes the program as 100 percent virtual
Pitch your venture at Demo Day on December 10, 2026

Key dates:

Applications opened August 25, 2026
Applications close September 25, 2026
Final acceptance October 9, 2026
Programming starts October 21, 2026
Demo Day December 10, 2026
YSpace also runs a Winter cohort, which adds the Venture Mobility Catalyst stream for transportation and smart infrastructure ventures; Winter 2027 dates are not yet published

More information:

YSpace accepts up to 15 to 20 ventures per cohort
If shortlisted, you are invited to a video call to review your business, its current status, your leadership team and the concept's viability
The application asks for your company name, links to online profiles, an elevator pitch, your stage and business model, 2 to 3 milestones for the next three months, and details for each founder; a pitch deck is optional
You choose between the YSpace General Intake and the Black Entrepreneurship Stream on the same application form
Questions go to yspace@yorku.ca, or bea@bcchc.com for the Black Entrepreneurship Stream

Who can apply

Early-stage founders with a technology venture in any sector, still at the idea or early validation stage
Ideally aiming to validate your market and launch an MVP within the next three months
Open to founders beyond York University: you do not need to be a York student, alum or staff member
Solo founders can apply; the application covers up to three co-founders
You do not need to be incorporated
Able to commit at least 5 hours a week
Driven, coachable and collaborative, with a growth mindset
Black Entrepreneurship Stream: you identify as Black, your venture is at least 50 percent Black-owned, and you are at least 18 and located in Southern Ontario
General Intake: YSpace's program page states no age or location requirement

AI Verification

✓ AI Verified

Our AI read the official sources and cross-checked the key facts. Here is what held up, and what it could not confirm.

We could not fully verify this organization or all of its details. Check it independently on the official website before you apply, and never share sensitive personal or financial information until you are sure a request is genuine.

LOT Verification ScoreSolid

Cross-checked 12 of 20 key facts

Confirmed Our best read Not stated

Good to know

+Free, and YSpace takes no equity in your startup
+A dedicated mentor, expert workshops, office hours and weekly peer sessions, ending in a Demo Day on 10 December
+Solo founders and unincorporated ideas can apply, and you do not need to be connected to York University
+Every date is published: decisions on 9 October and programming from 21 October

Worth checking yourself

!There is no cash or investment: the value is mentorship and training
!Run from York University in Ontario; its partner stream requires Southern Ontario residents aged 18 or over, and YSpace does not state a location rule for its general intake, so check before applying from elsewhere
!It is not clear whether sessions are online or in person; recent showcases were held in person in Markham, Ontario
!Closes 25 September, and the application form is long

Sources checked

YOyorku.caApplyYOyorku.caApplyYOyorku.caApplyYSyspace.apps01.yorku.caOfficialYSyspace.apps01.yorku.caOfficialTHthebea.coOfficialYOyorku.caApplyYOyorku.caApplyYOyorku.caApplyYOyorku.caApplyYOyorku.caApplyYOyorku.caApplyYOyorku.caApplyYOyorku.caApplyYOyorku.caApplyYOyorku.caApplyYOyorku.caApplyYOyorku.caApplyYOyorku.caApplyLUluma.comOfficialLIlinkedin.comOfficialYSyspace.yorku.caOfficialOPopportunitiesforyouth.orgOfficial

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