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 DeadlineTBAOr earlier if spots are filled
Participant ApprovalsTBAMay happen sooner if spots fill quickly
Program StartTBAHigh school students start after final exam
Launch DayTBAOrientation + Workshop
Networking NightTBA
Graduation CelebrationTBA
Program EndTBABusiness can continue during school year

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