YSpace Entrepreneurship Hub
The Town of Georgina and the Town of East Gwillimbury are continuing a partnership with York University’s YSpace to deliver a two-year Business Incubator/Accelerator pilot project to support entrepreneurs and economic growth during the recovery phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
This project will create an ecosystem of entrepreneurial resources, including mentorship, access to networks and co-working space for collaboration. It will foster new business opportunities as well as personal and professional development for new and existing entrepreneurs.
A combination of on-demand business support and programming within Georgina and East Gwillimbury, both in person and virtually, will be offered. Programs will be refined and augmented to address the specific needs of each business community.
Digital Skills for Business 2024
Need help applying your new digital skills for your business? Just drop in. This program includes in-person sessions in both Georgina and East Gwillimbury. In addition to virtual workshops, participants can join in-person sessions and a bonus Ask Me Anything with a marketing expert.
The program is open to entrepreneurs 18+ who reside in northern York Region, primarily in East Gwillimbury, Georgina, the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nations and the surrounding area. For established business owners or first-time founders, this program is designed to close the digital gap for your business.
Register for Digital Skills for Business workshops here.
Digital Skills for Business event schedule
Tuesday, Jan. 30
Virtual workshop, zoom
Time: 10 a.m - noon
Join Digital Main Street in the importance of paid advertising in a digital space. Advertising in the digital space can be complicated, especially with different ad formats, multiple platforms, budgeting, and running your own business! If you are not sure where to begin, or are confused on what kind of ad to run, this session is for you! In this webinar, the Digital Service Squad will share key insights into Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and Instagram Ads.
Register here
Tuesday, Feb. 6
Virtual workshop, zoom
Time: 10 a.m. to noon
Join Digital Main Street in SEO optimization for your website, optimizing for search engines – understanding SEO basics. Often you will hear about needing to optimize for search engines or SEO. But what is it, and how does it impact your digital presence? In this webinar, the Digital Service Squad will explain search engine optimization and the best tactics you as a business can use towards increasing your ranking in the search engine result pages.
Register here
Thursday, Feb. 8
Virtual workshop, zoom
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In this workshop learn tools, methods and strategies for content creation for your business. Learn how design and copywriting can inspire action and create connections with customers through digital content!
Register here
Thursday, Feb. 15
In-person
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Setting-up social media channels for your new or existing business can be a daunting task. In this workshop marketing expert Stella Grinfeld of Stella Graphix shares the best social channels for business and how to create and set-up your social media accounts.
Register here
Tuesday, Feb. 20
Virtual workshop, zoom
Time: 10 a.m - noon
Join Digital Main Street in Web Presence 101. Your customers are on the web. Having a strategy for your online presence allows you to market your small business online so customers can easily find you. In this workshop hosted by the Digital Service Squad we’ll discuss the importance of getting your business online and where to start with developing your online presence.
Register here
Wednesday. Feb 21
In-person
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join us for an enlightening 'Ask Me Anything' session with Stella. In this interactive event, you'll have the chance to delve into the mind of a marketing maven. Stella will share insights from her extensive experience, whether you're a budding marketer, a business owner, or simply curious about the marketing world, this is your opportunity to get answers to your burning questions and gain valuable industry insights. Don't miss this chance to connect, learn, and be inspired by one of the best in the business!
Register here
Monday, Feb. 26
Virtual workshop, zoom
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join us for a dynamic session with AI expert Hollie from Creative Solutions. Explore how Artificial Intelligence can revolutionize your business, enhancing operations and driving innovation. This event is perfect for business owners and professionals eager to integrate AI into their strategies. Expect engaging presentations, interactive Q&A, and real-world insights from Hollie.
Register here
Tuesday, Feb 27
Virtual workshop, zoom
Time: 10 a.m - noon
Join Digital Main Street in Social Media for Small Business. Social media is an invaluable tool for today’s business, whether you are just starting out or have been established for years. Not understanding how to use social media effectively can leave you overwhelmed and ultimately hurt your bottom line as your potential customers can easily find your competitors. This workshop hosted by the Digital Service Squad will leave you with a better understanding of how to leverage the power of social media to grow your online community, drive sales and reduce marketing costs.
Register here
Wednesday, March 6
Virtual workshop, zoom
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In this workshop marketing expert Stella Grinfeld of Stella Graphix shares how to develop an effective marketing strategy. Your marketing plan outlines the strategies you’ll use to achieve your goals and marketing efforts. This strategy will help you plan which channels you will use, the target audience and the goals you wish to achieve.
Register here
Our EIR Program is designed to achieve the following goals:
Support local entrepreneurs: We provide guidance, mentorship and resources to early-stage startups and entrepreneurs in the region, helping them grow and succeed.
Stimulate economic growth: By encouraging the creation and growth of innovative businesses in Georgina and East Gwillimbury, we contribute to local economic development and participation in our communities.
Knowledge sharing: We facilitate valuable knowledge exchange and networking opportunities between experienced entrepreneurs, startups and the broader community.
Mentorship and support:
Our EIRs serve as mentors and advisors to startup founders, generously sharing their knowledge, experience and extensive networks. They actively engage with startups, offering mentorship, guidance and advice on various aspects of entrepreneurship, including business development, marketing, funding and operations.
Through one-on-one interactions, EIRs provide support for specific business challenges or opportunities, helping startups identify new market opportunities, refine their business strategies and solve operational issues.
To be considered for the YSpace Georgina and East Gwillimbury EIR Program, applicants must have completed an intensive YSpace program such as Business Plan Bootcamp or equivalent. We believe that this prerequisite provides a solid foundation for aspiring entrepreneurs who are ready to take their business to the next level. If selected as a successful applicant, you will have the opportunity to participate in a one-time eight-week one-on-one mentorship program. Our experienced mentors will work closely with you, providing personalized guidance and support to help grow your business and drive its success.
Apply for the EIR mentorship program here!
Get ready to take your business journey to the next level with personalized guidance and insights!
Explore our Office Hours here!
Join TechConnex, local entrepreneurs and business owners in this in-person peer-to-peer session. The TechConnex Peer group program is where fast-growth technology company leaders, entrepreneurs and executives can come together to exchange information that will help them expand their businesses. Together we contribute to a vibrant ecosystem supporting business success.
Peer group participants generate lasting relationships through meeting regularly to network, learn and lead their organizations to achieve even greater business success.
This peer-to-peer session is hosted in person at YSpace Georgina, 1 Market St., Sutton, ON. L0E 1R0.
Apply to become a part of our peer-to-peer group.
Apply here
Free Consultations
Free one-on-one consultation services that connect entrepreneurs with YSpace’s entrepreneurship team to understand how the entrepreneurial ecosystem can help your idea come to life.
The program is open to entrepreneurs 18+ who reside in northern York Region, primarily in East Gwillimbury, Georgina and the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nations. Whether you are an established business owner or a first-time founder, this program is designed to provide what you need to start or refine your business.
The program provides:
-Free one-on-one consultation with a business professional
-A defined roadmap aligned to your unique needs
-Access to additional support or mentorship via an ecosystem of volunteers through the local ecosystem of resources
Register now for a free consultation!
The Georgina Digital Service Squad
Elevate your business with the Digital Main Street program and the Digital Service Squad, a transformative initiative brought to you by the Town of Georgina and Town of East Gwillimbury. Local businesses can now access free, personalized technical support to enhance their digital presence. This program offers tailored assistance from trained digital technology specialists.
Whether you're seeking help with marketing, automation tools or other technical challenges faced by small businesses, the Digital Service Squad is here for you. As a participant, you'll gain access to training modules to sharpen your technical skills and receive assistance in crafting a Digital Transformation Plan. From basic website setup to social media content creation and beyond, our squad is dedicated to supporting businesses. Don't miss out on this opportunity to navigate new tools, stay competitive and boost your business.
Register for the Digital Main Street program today and embark on a journey towards digital success!