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

To prepare your application:

EventDateTimeNotes
Application DeadlineMay 1511:59pm
Participant ApprovalsMay 2211:59pmApplicants approved on rolling basis
Orientation DayJune 610am-3pmMandatory for Post Secondary and High School Students
Program Start – Post SecondaryJune 1012 Weeks – 420 Hours
Program Start – High SchoolJuly 88 Weeks – 280 hours
Network NightAugust 5TBD
Graduation CelebrationAugust 2612am-2pmProgram End

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 20 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

Applications for the 2026 Summer Company have closed. Please check back in February 2027 to apply.

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

Provides training, mentoring and grants up to $3,000 to Ontario students, between the ages of 15 and 29, who wish to start a full-time business over the summer.

    For complete program details, eligibility requirements, and additional resources, visit the link below.