Applications are now CLOSED.

Summer Company is an amazing opportunity for young entrepreneurs to run their own business over Summer. Participants can expect to receive:

  • start-up money to kick-off a new summer business
  • advice and mentorship from local business leaders to help get the business up and running

Learning how to run your own student business is one of the best summer jobs you can have. You get to be your own boss while learning what it takes to manage a business. You’ll develop skills in areas such as sales, marketing, bookkeeping, customer relationship management, networking and more.

Program Agenda

 

 

EventDateTimeNotes
Application DeadlineMay 19Or earlier if spots are filled
Participant ApprovalsMay 30May happen sooner if spots fill quickly
Program StartJune 1High school students start after final exam
Launch DayJune 7 9:30 AM – 4:00 PMOrientation + Workshop
Networking NightJuly 234:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Graduation CelebrationAugust 2711:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Program EndSeptember 1 (Labour Day)Business can continue during school year

Mentor Groups

Mentor groups are assigned upon approval. The table below outlines the mentoring session schedule for all groups.

DATETIMESUBJECT
Wednesday, June 49:00 – 11:00 a.m.Mentor Session 1A
Tuesday, June 189:00 – 11:00 a.m.Mentor Session 2A
Tuesday, July 29:00 – 11:00 a.m.Mentor Session 3A
Tuesday, July 169:00 – 11:00 a.m.Mentor Session 4A
Tuesday, July 309:00 – 11:00 a.m. Mentor Session 5A
Tuesday, August 149:00 – 11:00 a.m. Mentor Session 6A
DATETIMESUBJECT
Thursday, June 59:00 – 11:00 a.m.Mentor Session 1B
Wednesday, June 189:00 – 11:00 a.m.Mentor Session 2B
Wednesday, July 29:00 – 11:00 a.m.Mentor Session 3B
Wednesday, July 169:00 – 11:00 a.m.Mentor Session 4B
Wednesday, July 309:00 – 11:00 a.m. Mentor Session 5B
Wednesday, August 139:00 – 11:00 a.m. Mentor Session 6B
DATETIMESUBJECT
Tuesday, June 109:00 – 11:00 a.m.Mentor Session 1C
Tuesday, June 249:00 – 11:00 a.m.Mentor Session 2C
Tuesday, July 89:00 – 11:00 a.m.Mentor Session 3C
Tuesday, July 229:00 – 11:00 a.m.Mentor Session 4C
Tuesday, August 59:00 – 11:00 a.m. Mentor Session 5C
Tuesday, August 199:00 – 11:00 a.m. Mentor Session 6C
DATETIMESUBJECT
Wednesday, June 119:00 – 11:00 a.m.Mentor Session 1D
Wednesday, June 259:00 – 11:00 a.m.Mentor Session 2D
Wednesday, July 99:00 – 11:00 a.m.Mentor Session 3D
Wednesday, July 239:00 – 11:00 a.m.Mentor Session 4D
Wednesday, August 69:00 – 11:00 a.m. Mentor Session 5D
Wednesday, August 209:00 – 11:00 a.m. Mentor Session 6D

Program Eligibility Criteria

You could be eligible for Summer Company if you:

  • currently reside in Ontario, enrolled in full-time studies at a high school, college or university level
  • are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
  • are between 15-29 years old (approved participants under 18 must have a parent co-sign the contract)
  • are not already running a business (running less than a year)
  • are not working at another job or going to school for more than 12 hours a week during the program
  • are returning to school after the program ends
  • you cannot apply again if you have received a Summer Company grant in the past.

If you are on social assistance (Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program), you can still apply to Summer Company. Payments from the program may be exempt as income and assets under social assistance, so your monthly social assistance payment may not be affected.

You can choose to start almost any type of business, as long as it:

  • is a sole proprietorship or corporation (where you are the majority shareholder)
  • is an independent business venture (not a part of an existing or family business)
  • qualifies as “self-employed” for income tax purposes
  • operates in Ontario on a full-time basis
  • follows government rules for operating a business
  • *Considerations will be given to businesses that are COVID-19 appropriate.

Applications are now closed.

If you submitted an application for our 2025 cohort and still need to submit the additional documents, you can access them here:

Summer Company Additional Documents.

*Early applications are encouraged as spots are limited and the program applications could close before the stated deadline.

You must be prepared to commit:

  • an average of 35 hours per week
  • a minimum of 12 weeks in a row for post-secondary students (total 420 hours)
  • a minimum of 8 weeks in a row for high school students (total 280 hours)

Grant Amount

Maximum grant: $3,000

  • up to $1,500 upfront to help with start-up costs
  • up to $1,500 when you successfully complete the program requirements

For complete program details, eligibility requirements, and additional resources, visit

To prepare your application:

Contact the Waterloo Region local program provider, Rob Clement at 519-503-0730 or rob.clement@kitchener.ca