Ryerson University

Urban impact with global reach
With the world’s population increasingly concentrated in cities, Ryerson University’s distinctly urban character and ​commitment to city building​ place it in a unique position to make an impact both in Toronto and across the globe. Ryerson’s ​educational identity​ and research visio​n​ are defined by the intention to serve societal needs with creative solutions to complex problems.
From its leading experiential learning programs to its groundbreaking entrepreneurial ecosystem, innovation is the driving force behind the university’s mission to create healthy cities and foster positive social change. ​Ryerson is composed of ​eight dynamic faculties​ and home to 39,500 students, 3,900 faculty and staff and 121 undergraduate and graduate programs​, making it one of the largest comprehensive universities in Canada.
Innovation and entrepreneurship
Ryerson has nurtured a culture of entrepreneurship that has helped it develop one of the largest experiential learning programs in the world. The ​Zone Learning​ network is a series of 10 on-campus incubators where students can apply their degree coursework toward the development of products, companies and social ventures. These zones span various disciplines and enable students to gain real-world skills and industry mentorship before they graduate.
Of Ryerson’s zones, the most noteworthy is the DM​Z,​ an accelerator for tech startups that has been ranked the top university-based incubator in the world. Since being founded in 2010, the DMZ has helped develop 420 startups who have raised more than $625 million in seed funding and has fostered the creation of more than 3,800 jobs.
More recently, Ryerson has taken its entrepreneurial ecosystem beyond Toronto, opening accelerator programs​ in Calgary, Mumbai, Bangalore, Ho Chi Minh and Palava. Collectively, these programs have raised over $500 million in seed funding for an array of startups.
Research that matters
Ryerson is a hub for world-leading researchers working to solve complex real-world problems. Ryerson’s distinctive core mission – to serve societal need – responds to the demand for highly skilled, creative and critical thinkers who address the increasingly interconnected challenges of the 21st century. Our faculty and students are willing to defy convention as they seek solutions to make the world a better place for all.
Building the cities of tomorrow takes a collaborative effort that crosses disciplines and sectors. From critical work in ​urban transportation​ and ​energy solutions​ to leading research on cybersecurity​, ​democratic engagement​ and ​migration, immigration and settlement​, Ryerson researchers partner with diverse communities, organizations, industries and governments to make a significant impact in a rapidly evolving world.