Technology - Venture Catalyst

Venture Catalyst

The Venture Catalyst program is a free 6-week training and mentorship program that supports early-stage tech entrepreneurs in testing their start-up ideas and bringing a proof-of-concept to life. Program participants gain access to interactive online workshops, expert mentorship, peer support, and start-up resources to transform their ideas into a successful business

What to expect

The program will help refine and validate your concept through interactive virtual training and curated mentorship. You will engage with industry experts to gain foundational knowledge in building and growing a technology startup, and join a network of like-minded individuals to discuss business challenges in a peer-to-peer format.

Community

Upon completion of the 6-week 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

January 6th, 2025

Applications Close

January 31st, 2025

Final Acceptance

February 2025

Programming

February 26th - April 3rd

Demo Day

April 10th

Application process

Step: One

The applications for the Venture Catalyst program are now closed.

Please sign up for our waitlist to stay updated!

Join the Waitlist

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.

No, the program is sector agnostic. All the resources and support are focused on technology-based ventures across all industries.

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.

A maximum of 15-20 ventures will be chosen per cohort.

Apply Now!

The applications for the Venture Catalyst program are now closed.

Please sign up for our waitlist to stay updated!

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