Applications are now OPEN.
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.
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.
What kind of business:
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.
Dates and Hours
Application deadline: May 19th, 2025 (or earlier if spots are filled)
Application approvals: May 23rd, 2025 (or earlier if spots are filled quickly)
Start date: May 31st, 2025 for post-secondary students, or the day after the last exam for high school students (Business activities may start before May 31st).
End date: Labour Day (but you can choose to keep running your summer business while in school)
*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
