YSpace Venture Catalyst Startup Program (Fall 2026)

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

• 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