# York Entrepreneurship Development Institute

York Entrepreneurship Development Institute (YEDI) is a venture fund, startup accelerator, incubator and entrepreneurial community located within York University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. YEDI offers merit based scholarships allowing Canadians to attend the program tuition-free, an unprecedented offer on the Canadian market. YEDI facilitates collaboration between students, alumni, and academic and business leaders. The organization was founded in 2013 by businessman Dr. Marat Ressin, a native of Russia with close ties to the Jewish community in Canada.

## Overview

York Entrepreneurship Development Institute is a sector-agnostic start-up supporting organization that provides mentorship to entrepreneurs and not-for-profit organizations. Upon graduation, the entrepreneurs receive formal certification from The Schulich School of Business (York University) and YEDI. The accelerator programs also assist high potential start-ups with securing funding.
YEDI holds events aimed at creating connections between members from different industry sectors. Start-ups and entrepreneurs use the YEDI spaces during their start-up programs to make prototypes and have a co-working space located within facilities of York University and YEDI's partners.

## Campuses
### Toronto

Over 80,000 sq. ft. of commercial, industrial, office, TV studio and theatre space as well as our Ressin Executive Learning Centre.

### Vaughan

Our 65,000 sq. ft. of office space includes a co-working space for early-stage entrepreneurs.

## YEDI VC Fund

The YEDI Venture Capital Fund is a financing initiative established by the York Entrepreneurship Development Institute (YEDI) to support early-stage startups and small businesses. The fund provides equity investments to high-potential ventures that have completed YEDI’s incubator or accelerator programs.
Operating as a not-for-profit venture capital fund, it aims to foster economic growth by offering financial resources, mentorship, and strategic guidance. Investments are directed toward innovative businesses across various industries, with a focus on scalability and market impact. The fund is structured to reinvest returns into future entrepreneurial initiatives, ensuring continued support for emerging companies.

## Diploma Programs
### Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management

The York Entrepreneurship Development Institute (YEDI) offers a tuition-free Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management Diploma Program. This year-long program provides aspiring entrepreneurs with essential business tools, resources, and mentorship. The curriculum covers strategic planning, financial planning, marketing, sales, management, and operations. Participants engage in personalized learning experiences and connect with industry experts to develop skills for success in competitive business environments.

### Academic Pathways

The Academic Pathways program at the York Entrepreneurship Development Institute (YEDI) provides graduates of their Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management Diploma Program with opportunities to pursue Master's degrees at partner universities around the world.

## Certificate Programs
### Incubator

The Incubator Certificate Program at the York Entrepreneurship Development Institute (YEDI) offers entrepreneurs a free, 16-week intensive training opportunity across various industries. The program features weekly sessions combining academic lectures, workshop-based training, and industry mentorship. Curriculum topics include entrepreneurial leadership, business modeling, marketing strategies, and financial planning. Participants develop comprehensive business plans, executive summaries, and market-ready business models. YEDI provides formal certification upon successful completion. The program is available to Canadian citizens or permanent residents with innovative ideas at any development stage.

### Entrepreneurship Essentials

The Entrepreneurship Essentials Certificate Program offers aspiring entrepreneurs an intensive 18-week educational experience with in-depth practical training. Participants attend formal academic lectures by YEDI instructors, workshop-based entrepreneurship training, and receive mentorship from industry leaders. The curriculum covers advanced topics, providing a more comprehensive experience than YEDI's Incubator program.

### Not-For-Profit

The Not-For-Profit Certificate Program offers a free, 16-week intensive training specifically designed for not-for-profit leaders across various sectors. Participants attend weekly online sessions featuring academic lectures by YEDI instructors, workshop-based training, and expert industry mentorship. The curriculum addresses leadership, business planning, marketing strategies, financial planning, and legal considerations relevant to not-for-profit organizations. Leaders develop comprehensive business plans, executive summaries, and robust business models to advance their organizations. YEDI provides formal certification upon successful completion.

### Youth

The Youth Certificate Program provides young entrepreneurs with a free, intensive 4-month business training experience. Participants attend formal academic lectures by Schulich Executive Education Centre instructors, workshop-based entrepreneurship training, and receive mentorship from industry leaders. The curriculum covers business planning, marketing strategies, financial management, and leadership development. Young entrepreneurs develop comprehensive business plans and market-ready business models by program completion. YEDI awards formal certification to successful graduates.

### International

The International Certificate Program offers international entrepreneurs an intensive two-week immersion into the Canadian business landscape. Participants attend formal academic lectures by YEDI instructors, workshop-based training, and receive industry leader mentorship. The curriculum encompasses entrepreneurship, marketing strategies, business development, finance, and communication skills, with opportunities to connect with small business support organizations like BDC and OCI. Entrepreneurs develop comprehensive business plans, executive summaries, and market-ready business models for the Canadian market.

### Global Start-Up Missions

The Global Start-Up Missions program supports entrepreneurs in expanding into international markets by facilitating key introductions and connections with local partners. Leveraging a global network, YEDI helps start-ups establish a presence abroad, providing essential resources and guidance to navigate new business environments. The program offers intensive sessions on market entry strategies, cultural considerations, and networking opportunities with industry leaders and potential investors. Through this initiative, entrepreneurs gain valuable insights and build critical relationships to accelerate their international growth.

## Entrepreneurship Research Centre (ERC)

The Entrepreneurship Research Centre (ERC) is an independent division of the York Entrepreneurship Development Institute (YEDI) dedicated to advancing entrepreneurship studies through academic research. Operating separately from YEDI’s accelerator programs, the ERC ensures objectivity and impartiality in its work. Its research contributes to a deeper understanding of entrepreneurship’s impact on business ecosystems and the global economy.

## Partnerships and events

YEDI is a general partner of Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association. In March 2016, YEDI partnered with Israeli Ariel University to share its methodology with students through an intensive two-week business acceleration program that was launched for the first time on August 7, 2016. In 2018, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics opened the Joint Department of International Finance and Economics of Small Business Development with YEDI. In 2020, YEDI brought its International Program to Kazakhstan in partnership with Suleyman Demirel University.

## Awards

* World Top 5 Public/Private Business Accelerators – Recognized by UBI Global.
* Best Business Support Organization in Canada – Awarded by the Canadian SME Awards.
* World Top 5 University-Linked Business Accelerators – Ranked by UBI Global.