Diploma Program

Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management

Applications are open, apply today:

Program Start Date: September 1, 2026

Application Deadline: June 1, 2026

Overview:

In today’s rapidly changing business ecosystem, entrepreneurs, small business owners, and their employees need modern tools and skills to succeed.

Building on its strong and proven experience in educating entrepreneurs, the York Entrepreneurship Development Institute offers a 12-month intensive program designed to fully equip business owners with the knowledge, skills, and tools required to navigate today’s volatile market environment. The curriculum addresses critical areas such as strategies for business growth amid rapid disruption, as well as the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence and other technological advancements.

The program combines lectures, coaching, guided learning and interactive discussion sessions, allowing participants to personalize their learning experience while benefiting from direct engagement with industry-leading experts.

Program instructors and mentors include subject-matter experts and academics with extensive real-world entrepreneurial experience. This Diploma program is approved as a vocational program under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005.

Curriculum Components:

Program will consist of but is not limited to the following topics:

Business Growth Strategy; Business Modelling; Social Entrepreneurship; Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship

Financial Management; Financial Analysis, Forecasting and Reporting; Business Valuation and Raising Venture Capital

Marketing and Sales Strategy; Business Communication and Negotiations; Market Research Methodologies

Small Business Management; International Operations; R&D Project Management and Collaboration with Academia

Strategies to Leverage Modern AI Tools and Apps; Blockchain Operations; Cybersecurity in Business

Program Policies:

Please review our Program Policies for full details on academic and program requirements. Career Colleges Key Performance Indicators are published and can be found on the following website.

Program Details:

Duration: 12 months, 3 semesters

Weekly commitment: 20 hours (includes live classes and asynchronous guided learning hours)

Evening Schedule: 3-days per week (half-day)

Format: In class or online if necessary

Language of Instruction: English

Total program hours: 980 hours

Admission Requirements:

Academic

  • High school diploma or higher (Canadian or recognized in Canada)*
  • Bachelor’s Degree considered an asset
  • Transcript(s) from all previously attended post-secondary institutions if applicable

Non-Academic

  • Up-to-date resume
  • Successful YEDI due diligence, including interview

*Note: Applicants with non-Canadian academic credentials (High school Diploma, College Diploma, University Degree, etc.) will be required to complete a credential evaluation assessment recognized in Canada. For a list of possible credential evaluation services, please click the following link.

Program Fees:

International Students: $40,000

Canadian Students: As a Canadian charity, YEDI is committed to making this world-class program accessible to Canadians.

YEDI has secured funding to help eligible innovative Canadian entrepreneurs and small business owners access this program tuition-free; through scholarships that could cover the full cost of tuition.

To confirm enrolment, a $3,000 program deposit is required. The deposit is applied in accordance with program policies. Students who successfully complete the program and meet the requirements of the YEDI Academic Scholarship will get the deposit refunded at graduation.

Tuition, Scholarship, and Financial Aid Information

To support eligible innovative Canadian entrepreneurs and small business owners, YEDI has secured scholarship funding that may cover the full cost of tuition – making the program tuition-free.

Tuition for Canadian citizens and permanent residents is $18,000.

Canadian students may be eligible for the following tuition support:

  1. Entrance Scholarship – $9,000
    Funded by the Canadian Foundation for Innovation and Research (CFIR), this scholarship is granted to everyone who is accepted.
  2. YEDI Academic Scholarship – up to $9,000
    This scholarship is based on academic performance. To remain eligible, students must achieve a minimum average of 80% in each academic semester.

Per the scholarship terms:

  • Students who maintain the required academic average for the full duration of the program will also have their $3,000 deposit refunded at graduation, in accordance with program policies.
  • Students are responsible for paying tuition fees for any semester in which their grade falls below the required 80% minimum average.
  1. Financial aid may also be available to assist with the $3,000 deposit, subject to an external financial need assessment.

Ready to learn more?

Reach out to book a 15 minute consultation with our admissions department.