๐Ÿ”ฅ May 25 โ€” Reimagining Education in the Age of AI at Toronto Tech Week Register Now โ†’
Youth AI Startup A Land to Innovate Initiative

Build the Future.
Start with AI.

YAS is a global platform that discovers, builds, and funds the next generation of AI-driven youth startups. From idea to investment โ€” we provide the complete pipeline.

YAS Pitch 2026 @ TTW Explore Pillars
Our Mission

Empowering Youth to Solve Real-World Problems with AI

YAS believes the most transformative AI innovations will come from young minds unafraid to challenge conventions. We provide the training, mentorship, competition platforms, and funding pathways so youth aged 12โ€“22 can turn bold ideas into functioning startups.

12โ€“22
Age Range
5
Ecosystem Pillars
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Global Reach
AI
Focus Area

The YAS Ecosystem

5 Pillars
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YAS Pitch

Flagship Annual Pitch Competition

YAS Pitch 2026 โ†’

The premier stage for youth AI innovation. Each year, top teams pitch their AI-driven startups to panels of industry leaders, educators, and investors. YAS Pitch 2026 takes place at Toronto Tech Week on May 25.

Eligibility: Ages 12โ€“22, individuals or teams (max 4)
Format: 3-min pitch + live Q&A
Awards: Best AI Innovation, Most Impactful, Future Innovator
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YAS Lab

Year-Round Training & Building

Structured workshops, hackathons, and mentorship cohorts that take youth from zero AI knowledge to pitch-ready startups. YAS Lab covers AI fundamentals, product thinking, UX, market validation, and go-to-market strategy.

AI Workshops Hackathons Mentorship Pitch Coaching
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YAS Global

International Community & Network

A global network connecting young innovators, mentors, and industry partners across borders. YAS Global organizes cross-country collaborations, international pitch exchanges, and builds a lasting community of youth AI founders.

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YAS Summit

Annual Global Gathering

The annual convergence of the entire YAS ecosystem โ€” youth founders, industry leaders, educators, and investors โ€” for keynotes, panels, demo day, and strategic partnerships. YAS Summit is the flagship gathering that anchors the community each year.

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YAS Capital

Funding & Incubation

The funding arm of YAS. Through micro-grants, sponsor-backed awards, partner incubation programs, and introduction to angel networks, YAS Capital provides the financial runway youth startups need to go from prototype to product.

The YAS Pipeline

From first contact to funded startup โ€” every stage of your journey is supported.

01

Join

Enter through YAS Global community or YAS Lab cohorts

02

Build

Develop ideas through AI workshops, hackathons & mentorship

03

Showcase

Compete at YAS Pitch against the best youth innovators

04

Scale

Get funded via YAS Capital & present at YAS Summit

Ready to Start?

Whether you're a young founder, an educator, or an industry partner โ€” there's a place for you in the YAS ecosystem.

YAS Pitch 2026 Get in Touch