Entrepreneurship in East Gwillimbury

YSpace Northern York Region Entrepreneurship Hub provides entrepreneurial resources, including mentorship, access to peer-to-peer networks, and coworking space for collaboration. It fosters new business opportunities as well as personal and professional development for new and existing businesses.

A combination of on-demand business support and programming is available in East Gwillimbury and Georgina, both in-person and virtually. Programs are refined and augmented to address the specific needs of each business community.

Business Foundations 

Business Foundations

Join us for Business Foundations, a series of workshops happening every week from June 25 to August 27, 2024. Whether you're gearing up to start your own business or aiming to refine your entrepreneurial skills, this program is tailored to help you succeed.

Business Foundations offers essential guidance to jumpstart your entrepreneurial journey or to reevaluate your existing business strategies. Through these workshops, you'll gain the necessary skills and knowledge vital for success.

By attending at least seven out of the nine workshops, you'll earn yourself an Innovation York Certificate of Completion. This certificate showcases your commitment to mastering the fundamentals of launching and managing a thriving business.

Workshops include: 

  • Market Research and Idea Validation | Tuesday, June 25, 2024 from 6 to 8 p.m.
  • Setting Up Business Operations | Tuesday, July 2, 2024 from 6 to 8 p.m.
  • Building a Business Plan | Tuesday, July 9, 2024 from 6 to 8 p.m.
  • Branding for Success | Tuesday, July 16, 2024 from 6 to 8 p.m.
  • Mastering Messaging and Sales | Tuesday, July 23, 2024 from 6 to 8 p.m.
  • Business Finance Fundamentals | Tuesday, July 30, 2024 from 6 to 8 p.m.

View the Full Program Schedule

Ongoing Programs

Idea Consultations
Idea Consultations

Have an idea for a business but don't know where to start? Idea Consultations are your entry-point into the YSpace program. This meeting offers free one-on-one consultation services that connect you with YSpace’s entrepreneurship team to understand how the program and available resources can help your idea come to life.

 

Book an Idea Consultation
Peer-to-Peer
Peer-to-Peer

Join TechConnex, local entrepreneurs, and business owners in-person for a monthly peer-to-peer session. Peer-to-peer is where fast-growth technology company leaders, entrepreneurs, and executives can come together to exchange information that will help them expand their businesses.

Join an Upcoming Peer-to-Peer
Office Hours
Office Hours

Office Hours provide business owner's the opportunity to book one-on-one time with local mentors. Whether you're grappling with financial strategies, marketing campaigns, or any other aspect of your business, these personalized sessions are designed to help find solutions that work for you.

Meet with a Local Mentor

Frequently Asked Questions

What is YSpace Northern York Region?
YSpace is York University’s pan-university entrepreneurship and innovation hub supporting startups and entrepreneurs from a variety of sectors and communities. YSpace programming spans scaling innovative technologies through customer and investor capital to scaling agri-food businesses into mass retail to diversity-focused initiatives like ELLA for women-led businesses and Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA) for Black-led businesses. 

YSpace Northern York Region in an entrepreneurship hub in East Gwillimbury and Georgina. YSpace offers an ecosystem of entrepreneurial resources, including mentorship, access to peer-to-peer networks, and co-working space for collaboration. It fosters new business opportunities as well as personal and professional development for new and existing entrepreneurs.

A combination of on-demand business support and programming is available in East Gwillimbury and Georgina, both in-person and virtually at no cost to your business. 
Who is eligible to join YSpace Northern York Region?
YSpace Northern York Region is open to entrepreneurs 18+ who reside in northern York Region, primarily in East Gwillimbury, Georgina, and the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nations.
Is there a cost to access mentorship or enroll in a program? 
No, there is no cost to join a YSpace Northern York Region workshop, networking group, or to use the coworking space in Georgina. YSpace Northern York Region is made possible through a partnership and funding between the Town of East Gwillimbury, the Town of Georgina, and York University's YSpace, with additional funding from the Rural Economic Development (RED) program from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). As a result of this funding and collaboration, the program is available to businesses at no cost. You can find more details in the full press release.
How do I enroll into YSpace Northern York Region?
Enrolling in the program starts with an Idea Consultation. During this session, you'll receive one-on-one consultation services connecting you with YSpace's entrepreneurship team. Together, you'll explore how the program and its resources can support the realization of your idea.

Idea Consultations provide:

  • Free one-on-one consultation
  • Tailored guidance and a roadmap crafted to address your specific need
  • Opportunities for additional support or mentorship

To schedule your Idea Consultation and embark on your entrepreneurial journey, book a meeting with the entrepreneurship coordinator here.
Is there working space available for entrepreneurs?
Yes, there is a physical entrepreneurship hub in Georgina (YSpace Georgina) which is open to entrepreneurs from East Gwillimbury and Georgina. YSpace Georgina is located at 1 Market Street, Georgina, ON L0E 1R0. You can find more details about YSpace Georgina on their website.

Study Rooms are available as working space at the East Gwillimbury Public Library. Private study rooms are in the Mount Albert and Holland Landing library branches and are free to use if you are a library card holder. You can find more details about the East Gwillimbury public library and study rooms on their website.
How do I become a program mentor or workshop facilitator?
YSpace Northern York Region has an ongoing intake process for individuals interested in mentorship or facilitator roles. The specific responsibilities and time commitments can vary depending on the program and the needs of the businesses involved.

If you're interested in becoming involved, please fill out an application form. This will help us understand your background and match you with the appropriate program. Once you've completed the application, a YSpace representative will reach out to schedule an introductory call.
Where can I find more information on YSpace?
YSpace is York University’s pan-university entrepreneurship and innovation hub supporting startups and entrepreneurs from a variety of sectors and communities. Our programming spans scaling innovative technologies through customer and investor capital to scaling agri-food businesses into mass retail to diversity-focused initiatives like ELLA for women-led businesses and Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA) for Black-led businesses. You can find more details about YSpace on their website.

 

Meet with EG's Economic Development team to learn how YSpace can help your business.