Marat Ressin

Marat Ressin is a Russian-born Canadian entrepreneur, educator, and philanthropist. He is the founder and president of the York Entrepreneurship Development Institute (YEDI) in Toronto, an incubator and venture fund established in 2013. Ressin has led a career spanning over 30 years in business development and real estate and holds a Ph.D. in Economics with a specialization in small business crisis management. He has also worked extensively in entrepreneurship education internationally, including in Canada, Israel, Armenia, and Kazakhstan. In 2023, he received rabbinical ordination in Kfar Chabad, Israel.
Early life and education
Marat Ressin was born in the Soviet Union (modern-day Russia). In 1992, he graduated with an engineering-mathematics degree from the F. E. Dzerzhinsky Institute of Railway Engineers. He later obtained a Ph.D. in Economics from the of the Russian Academy of Sciences, specializing in small business crisis management.
Career
Business ventures and entrepreneurship
Ressin has been involved in business development for over 30 years, working on projects in Canada, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia. He is credited with restructuring and rehabilitating over 30 businesses across various industries. His work has focused on rescuing struggling businesses, attracting investment, and implementing growth strategies.
York Entrepreneurship Development Institute
In 2013, Ressin founded the York Entrepreneurship Development Institute (YEDI) in partnership with York University. YEDI provides tuition-free business education, mentorship, and investor access to entrepreneurs and non-profit leaders. In 2018, YEDI was recognized as the #1 university-linked business accelerator in the world.
International educational contributions
Ressin has played a significant role in developing entrepreneurship education internationally:
* Canada - Established YEDI’s Startup Visa program, allowing international entrepreneurs to apply for residency upon graduation.
* Israel - Launched a business accelerator at Ariel University in 2016, adapting YEDI’s curriculum for Israeli entrepreneurs.
* Armenia - Opened a startup training program in Yerevan in 2019 in partnership with Plekhanov Russian University.
* Kazakhstan - Led a business education program at Suleyman Demirel University (SDU) in Almaty in 2020.
Public and philanthropic activities
Ressin has been active in philanthropy, particularly within the Jewish community. He has supported projects through the and served as President of the Canadian Zionist Federation. In June 2023, he was honored as the 2023 Central Regional Honouree by the . In 2023, he received rabbinical ordination (smicha) in Kfar Chabad, Israel.
Awards and recognition
* Pioneers for Change Award - Excellence in Innovation (2016)
* National Ethnic Press and Media Council Award (2016) - Presented at the Ontario Legislative Building (Queen’s Park).
Publications
Ressin has authored and co-authored several academic publications, including:
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