Co-Founder Connect

Build with the right people. Grow with intention.

Join us for Co-Founder Connect, presented by the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance in partnership with YSpace York University, an evening designed to help founders, operators, and builders find the right partners to form or strengthen their startup teams.

Co-Founder Connect is a curated networking experience that creates intentional space for meaningful conversations, genuine connections, and long-term collaboration. Whether you are looking for technical expertise, business strategy support, or a complementary co-founder to help take your startup to the next level, this is your chance to pitch, connect, and build robust partnerships in a community-driven environment.

Building the right team early matters. Research consistently shows that diverse and complementary teams outperform by making better decisions, innovating faster, and achieving stronger business outcomes.

Toronto Tech Week is a citywide celebration of the people building what’s next. From May 25–29, 2026, founders, investors, and builders come together for hundreds of community-led events across Toronto, connecting tens of thousands of people around Canadian tech. Torontotechweek.com

What to Expect at Co-Founder Connect

Fireside panel on finding the perfect co-founder & teamQuickfire 60-second founder and venture pitchesMatch Making Zone (Curated co-founder/team matching)Speed Matching ZoneProfessional HeadshotsInteractive ZonesNetworking / MixerGreat food, drinks, and vibes

Who Should Attend

Early-stage founders and solopreneursTechnical co-founders and software engineersProduct designersFractional executives C-suiteOperators across finance, marketing, HR, and operationsBuilders looking to join or support early-stage teams

How it works

​Thoughtfully designed connections don’t happen by accident.More to come...

Get Involved

If you have any additional questions or are Interested in partnering, mentoring, or sponsoring future BEA programs? Reach out to us at thebea@yorku.ca.

We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) and the City of Toronto.

​About BEA:

The Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA) is a Black-led initiative that exists to amplify and advance the next generation of Black entrepreneurs. BEA provides fully funded programs, partnerships, and access to help Black entrepreneurs, professionals, and youth launch and grow successful ventures and careers. Learn more at www.thebea.co.

About YSpace

YSpace is York University’s pan-university entrepreneurship and innovation hub supporting startups and entrepreneurs from a variety of sectors and communities. Our programming spans across scaling innovative technologies through customer and investor capital to scaling agri-food businesses into mass retail to diversity-focused initiatives like ELLA for women-led businesses and in partnership with Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA) for Black-led businesses. We are also home to two physical hubs in the City of Markham and the Town of Georgina.

https://www.yorku.ca/yspace/

​​Code of Conduct

​​BEA is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for everyone. By registering for this event, you agree to abide by our Code of Conduct. Please take a moment to review it before attending.

BEA & YSpace Attendee Media & Photo Release Notice

By attending this event, you acknowledge that the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA) and YSpace may capture photos, video, and audio for storytelling, promotional, and archival use. If you prefer not to be included in any recordings or photos, please notify a BEA or YSpace team member upon arrival so accommodations can be made.

All guests are expected to follow event guidelines and adhere to the direction of BEA and YSpace staff to support a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment. If you experience or witness behaviour that feels inappropriate, unsafe, or out of line with our community values, please report it immediately to a BEA or YSpace team member.

BEA reserves the right to remove or deny access to anyone who does not uphold these expectations.