Certificate Programs

Accepted students undergo a free, intensive 16-week program, including formal academic lectures by YEDI instructors, workshop-based training in entrepreneurship, and mentorship by key industry leaders. At the end of the incubator, entrepreneurs will have a professionally developed business plan, an executive summary, and a proper business model that is ready to pitch and potentially bring to the market. Upon successful program completion, participants receive a formal certification from YEDI.

Accepted students undergo an intensive 18-week program, including formal academic lectures by high level YEDI instructors, workshop-based training in entrepreneurship, and mentorship by key industry leaders. This program is more in-depth than YEDI’s Incubator program. At the end of the program, entrepreneurs will have a professionally developed business plan, an executive summary, and a proper business model that is ready to pitch and potentially bring to the market. Upon successful program completion, participants receive a formal certification from YEDI.

Not-for-profit leaders participate in sessions facilitated by York Entrepreneurship Development Institute professors & instructors, providing a solid foundation in business theory and economics. Theory examined includes: entrepreneurship, marketing strategy, business development and growth, finance and communication skills. Successful entrepreneurs quickly need to learn where they lack expertise and require a network of support. Entrepreneurs participate in sessions that will prepare them for real-life application of theory to achieve inspiration, ideation, and implementation. Topics include: visioning & environmental scanning, finance and fundraising. Sessions take place once per week.

Accepted students undergo a free, 4-month program, including formal academic lectures by YEDI instructors, workshop-based training in entrepreneurship, and mentorship by key industry leaders. At the end of the program, entrepreneurs will have a professionally developed presentation deck and a proper business model that is ready to pitch and potentially bring to the market. Upon successful program completion, participants receive a formal certification from YEDI.

Accepted participants undergo an intensive two-week program that include formal academic lectures by YEDI instructors, workshop-based training in entrepreneurship, and mentorship by key industry leaders. Students will get familiarized with the Canadian business landscape and meet with organizations supporting small business growth and development, including BDC, OCI and law firms, among other major organizations. Upon program completion, entrepreneurs will have a professionally developed business plan, executive summary, and a proper business model that will be ready to pitch and potentially bring to the Canadian market. Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive an official certificate from York Entrepreneurship Development Institute.

Selected entrepreneurs will participate in an intensive, two-week global entrepreneurship development program led by global business leaders and start-up founders. Throughout the program, entrepreneurs will meet with top leaders of the host country’s start-up ecosystem, visit global companies, unique start-ups; and meet with government officials responsible for the growth and development of SMEs.