Entrepreneur Program

Founder Fundamentals

A 12-week program to get you on the entrepreneurial path.

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Developed in partnership with YSpace, York University and powered by Markham Small Business Centre, Founders Fundamental is a 12-week entrepreneurial educational workshop series designed to help you gain the essential skills and understanding necessary for starting a business, while also connecting you with local resources for potential next steps as you progress in your entrepreneurial ventures.

This is an industry-agnostic program designed to support our diverse community of aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs, regardless of their fields of interest.

The 12-week syllabus covers the building blocks of entrepreneurship, including Business Plan Writing, Digital Marketing & Branding for Startups, Finance 101, and Legal Basics for Entrepreneurs.

Individuals who attend and actively participate in at least 9 out of the 12 one-hour workshops will receive a YSpace, York University Certificate of Completion, illustrating your dedication to learning about the essentials of launching a successful business.

Tuition

Free

Length

12

WEEKS

Mode

Virtual

Founder fundamentals

How to apply

Who should apply?

Founder Fundamentals is open to Black-identifying professionals who want to learn about entrepreneurship and the building blocks of starting an entrepreneurial career.

Application steps

1

Fill out the application form to tell us about your experience and goals.

2

We’ll review your application to ensure this program is where you’ll gain the most value.

3

You’ll be notified about your next steps and further recommendations.

Upcoming session

Session dates:

September 15th – December 1st, 2026

Registration starts:

August 25th, 2026

Last day to register:

December 1st, 2026

Program highlights

Business plan writing

Digital Marketing & Branding for Startups

Finance 101

Legal Basics for Entrepreneurs

Learnings

Beyond the classroom

Connect with subject experts & like-minded peers

Learn from experienced industry professionals and entrepreneurs

A digital certificate to enhance your CV

Flexible, virtual learning with recordings, templates, and resources

Program & Application FAQ

Learn more about the program or get in touch with us for other enquiries.

Founder Fundamentals is open to Black-identifying professionals who want to learn about entrepreneurship and the building blocks of starting an entrepreneurial career.

Founder Fundamentals is industry-agnostic and covers foundational business & entrepreneurial topics that apply to all industries.

The Founder Fundamentals program runs 2 sessions per year—Fall and Winter. Applications are currently open for Fall 2026; registration is open from August 15th to December 1st, 2026.

In order to receive the certificate, you must attend and actively participate in at least 9 out of the 11 one-hour workshops. Upon completion of the program, you will receive the certificate via email.

Participants are encouraged to attend live sessions in order to connect with the subject experts and industry professionals leading the sessions. In the case where you cannot attend a live session, you can access online recordings on the YSpace YouTube channel.

Please note: To be eligible for the YSpace Certificate of Completion, you must attend and actively participate in at least 9 out of the 11 one-hour workshops.