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.

Schedule an Idea Consultation (in-person or virtual) with our entrepreneurship team to get started.

Digital Skills for Business 

Digital Skills for Business

Looking to grow your business and gain confidence using online platforms? YSpace’s Digital Skills for Business is a 10-week workshop series designed to help entrepreneurs build and enhance their online presence.

The program features in-person workshops in East Gwillimbury and Georgina and virtual sessions covering essential topics like AI Marketing, LinkedIn, Introduction to Canva, and more. 

This free series is open to entrepreneurs aged 18 and older living in northern York Region, including East Gwillimbury, Georgina, the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nations, and surrounding areas.

Workshops run weekly from Tuesday, February 4, to Friday, April 11, 2025.

Digital Skills Schedule 

Importance of Paid Advertising in a Digital Space | Digital Main Street
Date and Time: Tuesday, February 4, 2025 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. EST 

Location: Online, Zoom 

Digital Main Street: The Importance of Paid Advertising in a Digital Space

Discover the essentials of paid advertising and how to establish an online presence that drives sales and expands your market reach. Join the Toronto Digital Service Squad for this engaging webinar to learn practical steps for setting up and optimizing an online store.

Key Takeaways

  • The importance and benefits of selling online
  • How to choose the right e-commerce platform
  • Basics of inventory management and streamlining point-of-sale systems
  • Optimizing website content and SEO basics
  • Setting up secure payments and shipping options
  • Driving traffic and boosting sales through digital marketing
  • Providing exceptional customer service throughout the e-commerce journey

About the Facilitator
Digital Main Street helps businesses adopt digital tools and technologies to grow and thrive. Learn more at digitalmainstreet.ca.

Register Here

Maximizing Social Media: Platforms and Analytics for Growth
Date and Time: Thursday, February 6, 2025 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. EST

Location: YSpace Georgina at 1 Market Street, Georgina, ON L0E 1R0

Maximizing Social Media: Platforms and Analytics for Business Growth

Join us in person at YSpace Georgina for an engaging session on leveraging social media to drive business growth. Geraldine Gerardo will share practical strategies to make your website and digital content more effective, helping you connect with your audience and achieve your business goals.

Why Attend?

  • Learn actionable social media strategies
  • Understand how to analyze and optimize your digital content
  • Network with local business owners and entrepreneurs

Registration Details
Spaces are limited! Register early to secure your spot. A confirmation email with event details will be sent closer to the date.

Register Here

Optimizing Search Engines: Understanding SEO Basics | Digital Main Street
Date and Time: Tuesday, February 11, 2025 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. EST 

Location: Online, Zoom 

Digital Main Street: Optimizing for Search Engines - Understanding SEO Basics

Unlock the power of search engine optimization (SEO) to improve your digital presence and connect with more customers. In this webinar, the Digital Service Squad will guide you through SEO fundamentals and effective tactics to boost your search engine rankings.

Key Takeaways

  • What SEO is and why it matters
  • The importance of keywords
  • Copywriting strategies for SEO
  • On-page and off-page optimization tactics
  • Basics of technical SEO
  • How to audit your website for search engine success

About the Facilitator
Digital Main Street helps businesses adopt the right digital tools and technologies to grow and compete. Learn more at digitalmainstreet.ca.

Register Here

Library Online Resources to Boost Your Business | Georgina Public Library
Date and Time: Thursday, February 13, 2025 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. EST 

Location: YSpace Georgina at 1 Market Street, Georgina, ON L0E 1R0

Hidden Gems: Library Online Resources to Boost Your Business

In today’s fast-paced business world, having access to the right tools can set you apart. This session, led by Ruth Berry, eServices Library Technician at Georgina Public Library, will show you how to harness the power of LinkedIn Learning and other online platforms for professional development and business growth.

Why Attend?

  • Discover online resources that can enhance your skills and business strategy
  • Learn actionable tips to make the most of LinkedIn for networking and growth
  • Explore tools to boost your career and achieve your business goals

Facilitator
Ruth Berry, eServices Library Technician, Georgina Public Library

Registration Details
Spaces are limited, so secure your spot early! A confirmation email with event details will be sent closer to the event date.

Register Here

 E-mail Marketing Webinar | Digital Main Street
Date and Time: Tuesday, February 18, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. EST 

Location: Online, Zoom 

E-mail Marketing Webinar

Discover the power of email marketing to connect with your audience and drive business success. Join the Toronto Digital Service Squad for this interactive webinar and learn how to create high-quality, targeted email campaigns that stand out in the digital world.

Key Takeaways

  • How to create segmented audiences
  • Writing compelling subject lines
  • Crafting strong email content
  • Utilizing email automations
  • Exploring platforms for email marketing
  • And more!

About the Facilitator
Digital Main Street helps businesses adopt the right digital tools and technologies to grow and compete. Learn more at digitalmainstreet.ca.

Registration Details
Don’t miss this chance to enhance your digital marketing strategy. Reserve your spot today!

Register Here

Do I Really Need a Bookkeeper or an Accountant? | South Lake Futures
Date and Time: Thursday, February 20, 2025 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. EST

Location Hybrid 

  • In-Person: South Lake Futures at 183 The Queensway South, Keswick, ON L4P 2A3
  • Online: Zoom (link provided upon registration)

Finance: Do I Really Need a Bookkeeper or an Accountant?

Managing finances is a critical aspect of running a business, but it can feel overwhelming without the right tools and knowledge. This session is designed for both new and established business owners looking to understand how proper bookkeeping and accounting practices can drive business growth.

What You’ll Learn:

  • When to hire a bookkeeper or accountant
  • Key accounting terminology
  • Tips for tracking business expenses and record-keeping requirements
  • Understanding and using two types of financial statements
  • Insights into HST, payroll, and government remittances
  • Common bookkeeping challenges and solutions

Facilitator
Tania Vernon from Handa Bookkeeping and South Lake Futures

Registration Details
This event is available both virtually and in person.

  • In-Person Participation: Limited seating—secure your spot early!
  • Virtual Participation: Zoom link will be shared closer to the event date.

Register Here

Building Your Business's Online Presence | Digital Main Street 
Date and Time: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. EST

Location: Online, Zoom 

Building Your Business’s Online Presence

Your customers are online, and your business should be too! In this workshop, hosted by the Toronto Digital Service Squad, you’ll learn how to establish and enhance your online presence, ensuring your business is easily discoverable and effectively engaging with customers.

What You’ll Learn:

  • What web presence means and the platforms available for setting up your website
  • Steps to create a professionally designed, responsive website
  • How to optimize website content for search engine ranking (SEO)
  • Setting up your Google My Business listing and other online directories
  • Getting started with social media
  • The role of email marketing in customer retention
  • Developing a cohesive online brand voice
  • Building relationships and engaging with customers virtually

Facilitator
Digital Main Street helps businesses adopt the right digital tools and technologies to grow and compete. Learn more at digitalmainstreet.ca.

Register Here

Ongoing Programs

Idea Consultations
Idea Consultations

Idea Consultations are your entry-point into the YSpace program. This one-on-one consultation connects you with the YSpace entrepreneurship team who will learn about your aspirations and how our programs can support your business growth or bring your ideas to life.

 

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 business leaders and entrepreneurs can come together to exchange information that will help expand your businesses.

 

Entrepreneurs in Residence
Entrepreneurs in Residence

The Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIR) program offers an 8-session, one-on-one mentorship experience. Our industry-leading mentors will work closely with you, providing guidance to accelerate your business growth.

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, peer-to-peer networks, and co-working space. 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 (virtual or in-person)
  • 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.