York Entrepreneurship Development Institute (YEDInstitute)

YEDInstitute is based out of the Schulich Executive Education Centre at York University and launches in September 2013 to serve Toronto & York Region-based ventures. The accelerator features a 12-week rigorous program where selected applicants receive practical and academic training from top-tier instructors, and mentorship from industry experts in order to refine their ideas and build successful businesses or efficient non-profit models that are feasible and attractive to investors. Upon completing the program, entrepreneurs will pitch and showcase their projects for a chance to receive up to $500,000 in funding. York Entrepreneurship Development Institute is a charitable organization (no. 81209 5735 RR0001) whose mission is to provide free top-tier business education and mentorship to innovative entrepreneurs from any sector or industry in order to build and accelerate successful businesses and efficient not-for-profit organizations. YEDI is committed to ensuring that ideas with high impact are not lost due to lack of knowledge during the start-up process. YEDI guides innovators to refine their ideas and create tested proof of concepts that are attractive to investors and will benefit Canadian society. Upon graduation the entrepreneurs receive formal certification from both York University and YEDI, and the opportunity to pitch to potential investors, including our own Venture Fund.