About Us - YEDI

We Are YEDI

We envision a world transformed by generations of innovative leaders set on creating a sustainable and thriving economy that improves the lives of all people.

At YEDI, we believe in removing barriers to create a diverse and vibrant culture that enables our participants to realize their full potential regardless of economic or social background. We provide Canadians with tuition-free tools, training, education, resources and mentorship that nurtures the seeds of transformation, and we make our programs available around the world. York Entrepreneurship Development Institute is a charitable organization (no. 81209 5735 RR0001).

The perfect pairing of audacious vision & practical skills.

We are a meritocracy of impactful ideas, working together to develop and refine audacious concepts into tangible outcomes that will meaningfully improve lives across the globe through a balanced approach of progressive academic theory and real-world, pragmatic solutions.

This spirit of collaboration and partnership has helped us create a global community, a culture of cooperation and inclusivity. We genuinely care about each individual and understand that our empathy and compassion for their unique circumstances can only make us stronger.

Respect for others and accountability for our ideals are essential as we push ourselves and each other towards excellence.

What we value at YEDI:

World-class Education

Relentless Innovation

Embracing Technology

Unmatched Accessibility

Academic Inclusivity

Collaborative Global Community

There are so many reasons to choose YEDI

Formal Institutional Certification

Unlike any other start-up incubator in the province of Ontario, YEDI equips entrepreneurs with formal institutional certification from YEDI upon program completion. This certificate will be a vital tool in the entrepreneur’s portfolio, indicating the level of their entrepreneurial knowledge to future investors and banks. This certificate especially helps those who have no previous business experience to demonstrate their credibility to banks for investment. YEDI prepares you for long-term success.

Exclusive Finance Networks

Upon completion of the program, YEDI provides its entrepreneurs with the exclusive opportunity to showcase and pitch their projects for a chance to receive funding of up to $500,000 from YEDI’s own venture capital fund. Deriving from YEDI networks, the Venture Fair will also provide an investor audience for entrepreneur’s pitches composed of other venture capital firms and banks that can facilitate direct investment. The Venture Fair connects innovators with a significant industry network, and enables potential customers, partners and investors to get up close and personal with the entrepreneurs to learn about their business project, model, and goals.

Mentorship & Advisor Relationships

YEDI ensures that our entrepreneurs have a wide selection of subject matter experts spanning diverse industries with whom to consult at various stages of business development, be it accounting, technical aid, communications, marketing, and more.

Efficiency-Building for Not-for-Profits

YEDI values the social impact and contribution not-for-profits make to their communities. To ensure that not-for-profits are sustainable to effect long-term change, they must have a clear, effective model for operations. The YEDI program will cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset for not-for-profits, training them to become efficient, to create and use budgets wisely, and to bring more of a business edge to their social mission in order to achieve their goals.

Socially Responsible for Not-for-Profits

YEDI believes in social responsibility and an open mind. For this reason, the accelerator accepts both for-profit and not-for-profit fellows, incubating them in the same space throughout the program so for-profit companies can learn from not-for-profit organization values and receive constructive feedback with regards to the social impact and positive contribution of business practice.

Networking & Industry Connections

Thanks to YEDI’s mentors and partners, entrepreneurs have the opportunity to liaise with significant industry figures throughout their program, as well as network with investors at the YEDI Venture Fair at the end of the term. Entrepreneurs also enjoy making new connections with their peer-cohort and their extended networks.

Community, Mentor & Peer Support

YEDI is community-driven. Innovators learn in a shared space with other start-ups and entrepreneurs, allowing for an immersive and intensive environment as peer workshops, presentations, and assessments are conducted. Mentors are not assigned on a one-on-one basis, but rather a series of subject matter experts are available for counsel and form the community of support for YEDI fellows.

Workspace & Additional Resources

Space is a critical component to an entrepreneur’s productivity and creativity. YEDI participants and fellow entrepreneurs may apply for space at one of YEDI’s Business Acceleration Campuses which provide a platform for development and a centre for the entrepreneurial community.

Meet Our Faculty

Explore Our Campuses

YEDI prepared me for real-life situations.

Vladimir Demine
Victoria Ballet Company

Interested in starting your entrepreneurial journey?

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YEDI Awards

YEDI is awarded World Top 5 Public/Private Business Accelerators from UBI Global!

Since 2015, we have been consistently recognized as the World Top 5 in multiple categories. We are honoured to be named amongst our fellow contemporaries for this prestigious award.