Build Skills to Change the World

We’re training students to change the world while learning and practicing job-relevant skills. Our online and in-person programs teach students how to shape their ideas into real-world solutions. Let’s build and invest in tomorrow’s leaders together!

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Our Programs

SHSM Programs

SHSM Programs

Our SHSM Sector-Partnered Experience (Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship) workshops give students an opportunity to apply problem-solving and collaboration skills to solve challenges shared by industry sector community partners.

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Problem-Based Learning and Design Thinking Programs

Problem-Based Learning and Design Thinking Programs

Our customizable programs cover problem solving, innovation, analysis, public speaking and much more to give students a rich hands-on learning experience.

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Some of Our Partners

Our Pillars
for Success

Every student is encouraged to build a solution that solves a meaningful problem. Our sessions alternate between concept & examples and work time, in order to keep students engaged as they move their ideas ahead. And when community partners are part of the experience, students have the chance to be mentored by industry professionals and entrepreneurs.

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Mentorship

Mentorship

Creativity

Creativity

Leadership

Leadership

Creativity

Creativity

Leadership

Leadership

Teamwork

Teamwork

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Educator
Review

Dwayne Samuel, an educator at the York Catholic District School Board

“[The students] loved the interaction and the opportunity to be part of a hands-on problem-solving project. Some said traditionally, they are sitting and getting information presented to them which they find boring – even if it is specific to business (e.g., workshops, symposiums, etc.), but this was one thing that they felt they really learned THROUGH the process.”

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Educator
Review

Dianne Solon (Teacher, York Catholic District School Board)

“Working with approx. 300 students, 14 teachers in two sessions, Lucas led our grade 9’s through designing problem thinking and innovative solutions. We were able to plan and implement Lucas’ work into our existing CPT quite smoothly. Listening to the students work together and engage in the large groups and smaller breakout groups showed their interest in their work and their excitability in being able to work in a group. Online and distance learning is still a challenge for many of our students, but with Lucas, we were able to create something the students really enjoyed and appreciated.”

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Student
Review

Co-op student, Markham

“After Tuesday’s ICE Challenge and learning about the design thinking process, I was able to use this to my advantage by tapping into my creative side to come up with enough relevant content to post for the next two months. This process also helped me create a social media plan for the online community which I found very enjoyable…. I am confident that my social media content and engagement plan will be very useful for my employer which will improve our community engagement and grow our online presence in the future.”

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Keep Up with Us

y2labs

We create real-world & hands-on learning opportunities for students from grades 6-12 to build their entrepreneurship & problem solving skills.

Andrew is the co-founder and Chief Operations Offi

Andrew is the co-founder and Chief Operations Officer at an e-commerce customer support company called Dedication Agents. Prior to this, Andrew led teams at Switch Health (Canadian health-tech company) and Achu Health (AI prediction platform that calculates people's probability of getting sick). He also co-founded the Athlete Tech group, connecting tech companies and VC’s to professional athletes.

Prior to these roles, Andrew worked at IBM for 12 years in various capacities including founding IBM’s Startup & Entrepreneur practice which included creating IBM’s first incubator globally, and running the president of IBM Canada’s office as his Chief of Staff.

Over the years, Andrew has also helped and mentored many entrepreneurs. He's hosted office hours in the Markham Public Library system, mentored startups in the YSpace community, guest lectured at several schools (including TMU, Smith School of Business and Schulich School of Business), and facilitated many Y2 in-school programs.

Want to work with Andrew? Come to Y2!

#Mentor #Networking #Network #Conference #Event #Markham #YorkRegion #Students #HighSchool

Spotlight on one of our conference #Mentors - Alba

Spotlight on one of our conference #Mentors - Alban Jerome is a seasoned investor with a diverse range of experiences across several countries. After starting his career in the media industry and organizing large #Events, Alban became the Head of Growth at Dharma #LifeSciences in 2015, a startup that pioneered work in neuroscience and personality development. Here, he worked with the product development team to create highly specialized learning programs based on neuroplasticity that helped rewrite individual traits, such as leadership and empathy.

Alban later focused his efforts on creating and establishing communities centred on learning programs, while expanding Dharma Life Sciences' #Entrepreneur network to over 200,000 members in India. He collaborated with #Startup networks such as the Indian Start-ups Group, NASSCOM, Tie India, and numerous co-working spaces and incubators.

Meet Alban and work with him at Y2!

We're excited to welcome @topclassedge as another

We're excited to welcome @topclassedge as another #Conference #Sponsor! Like Y2, Top Class is focused on helping #HighSchool #Students - they offer #Tutoring services (#Math, #English and #Sciences) and #University #Application #Preparation assistance.

Founder Francesca is coming to Y2, but if you are looking for some tutoring or application help now, check them out at topclassedge.com.

Top Class Edge Learning - thanks for supporting the conference participants!

And see you at Y2!

#Events #Innovation #MeetNewFriends #MeetPeople #ProblemSolving #CareerPath #ThingsToDo #Markham #YorkRegion

@tfaccelerator helps #SmallBusiness and #Startups

@tfaccelerator helps #SmallBusiness and #Startups across Ontario, Canada and internationally, offering training, mentorship and more to owners.

They don't just support adult founders - they've been a longtime supporter of #HighSchool #Students - just last Friday, their team visited @hhss_yrdsb to #Mentor grade-9 #Entrepreneurship students.

So we're pretty lucky that Treefrog Accelerator is once again a sponsor of this year's conference - thanks to the TFA team!

Dacom helps businesses with their #IT needs - #Net

Dacom helps businesses with their #IT needs - #Networking, #Email, #Security, and so on - and has been helping our conference participants for many years.

They're once again a sponsor - thanks to Dave and the team!

@rhtsang has been a speaker at our conferences too

@rhtsang has been a speaker at our conferences too many times to count, and each time his workshops have helped participants hone their pitch delivery and presentation skills.

And he's returning to deliver another workshop on February 22!

Come to Y2 to learn a few tips that will improve your #PublicSpeaking!

#Networking #Speaking #Storytelling

@goodnewsventures has supported the Y2 #Entreprene

@goodnewsventures has supported the Y2 #Entrepreneurship #Conference since our early days, with partner Marat being a judge in our 3rd conference.

Even cooler, several Y2 alum have gone on to #Intern at Good News Ventures, learning and contributing to GNV's investing activities!

Thanks GNV for again sponsoring this conference!

@skytek.ca offers more than just office space and

@skytek.ca offers more than just office space and resources - they are a community where business owners support each other.

And this community mindset is reflected in their support for youth #Entrepreneurs, like participants in the Y2 conference - they've been sponsors for several years!

Thank you to the Skytek team and, in particular, their founder Muhammad Kermalli, for all of your help over the years - including once again sponsoring this year's conference!

Thanks to @skailit.inc for supporting the particip

Thanks to @skailit.inc for supporting the participants in this year's #Conference!

Based in #RichmondHill, Skailit offers innovative virtual solutions to help companies deal with challenges in today's fast-paced environment - recruiting, performance support, #Wellness programs, outsourced #HR, and staffing.

Thanks for helping #HighSchool #Student #Entrepreneurs and #Innovators!

@yspaceyu has been a long-time partner of ours, ha

@yspaceyu has been a long-time partner of ours, having hosted countless #DesignThinking and #Entrepreneurship #Workshops for #HighSchool #Students - and we're looking forward to holding our 1st Y2 Conference at YSpace!

Thanks to the YSpace team for being so supportive and awesome with students!

Since the very first conference in 2015, @senecapo

Since the very first conference in 2015, @senecapoly @senecahelix has been a great partner. They've hosted most of our 11 conferences, and many of their #HELIX #Startup #Founders have been mentors to conference participants. Thanks HELIX for all of your support over the years!

It takes a village to raise #Leaders and #Entrepre

It takes a village to raise #Leaders and #Entrepreneurs, so we want to thank some of the village here - our #Sponsors!

And many businesses, educational institutions and municipalities have offered their support for the students who will be participating in the conference.

Thanks to Dacom (IT services to help businesses), @goodnewsventures, #Markham Small Business Centre, @proto3000, #RichmondHill Small Business Enterprise Centre, @Skailit, @skytek.ca, Top Class Edge Learning, @tfaccelerator, #Vaughan Business and Entrepreneurship Centre, and #YorkRegion Small Business Enterprise Centre (@yorklinkca).

Special thanks to our host sponsor, @yspaceyu, as well as our founding partner @senecapoly HELIX.

Thank you all!

Good luck with your final classes, assignments and

Good luck with your final classes, assignments and exams this month!

And have a great January and rest of 2025!

Do you want to build skills while solving problems

Do you want to build skills while solving problems that are meaningful to you? Do you want to add an accomplishment to your uni or college application? Do you want to meet like-minded people?

At the Y2 Entrepreneurship Conference, taking place on February 15 and 22, you'll work with other #HighSchool #Students (you choose your group) to come with a solution to a problem of your choosing, which you will present to a panel that includes a serial #Entrepreneur, #Investor and Program Manager of a #Business accelerator.

Along the way, you'll learn in a series of hands-on mini-workshops and be supported by #Mentors, themselves #SmallBusiness owners and leaders in large organizations.

(Bonus if you're in #SHSM: SHSM students will receive a SPE certificate)

LINK IN OUR BIO - REGISTER NOW TO SECURE YOUR SPOT! SEE YOU AT Y2!

#ProblemSolving #ClimateChange #Racism #Inequality #MentalHealth

Do you want to build skills while solving problems

Do you want to build skills while solving problems that are meaningful to you? Do you want to add an accomplishment to your uni or college application? Do you want to meet like-minded people?

At the Y2 Entrepreneurship Conference, taking place on February 15 and 22, you'll work with other #HighSchool #Students (you choose your group) to come with a solution to a problem of your choosing, which you will present to a panel that includes a serial #Entrepreneur, #Investor and Program Manager of a #Business accelerator.

Along the way, you'll learn in a series of hands-on mini-workshops and be supported by #Mentors, themselves #SmallBusiness owners and leaders in large organizations.

(Bonus if you're in #SHSM: SHSM students will receive a SPE certificate)

LINK IN OUR BIO - REGISTER NOW TO SECURE YOUR SPOT! SEE YOU AT Y2!

#ProblemSolving #ClimateChange #Racism #Inequality #MentalHealth

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