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Summer Company.

Summer Company is a program of the government of Ontario that helps young people between 15 and 29 years old start and run their own summer business by providing funding, advice, and services.

Program Info

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. Sales, marketing, bookkeeping, customer relationship management, and networking are just a few of the highly useful skills you’ll develop.

The SBEC program is delivered locally by Business Centre Guelph Wellington and funded in partnership with the Government of Ontario.

  • Partners • Invest in Guelph & Ontario.ca
  • Start Date • April / May for post-secondary students, following their exams for winter semester
  • Time Commitment • 420 hours for post-secondary students
  • Start Date • June / July for high school students, with the potential of a few meetings prior to the end of school
  • Time Commitment • 280 hours for high school students

Prerequisites

  • Go to High School, College, or University
  • Must be returning to school in September
  • Are between 15-29 years old (if under 18: a parent or guardian must sign the agreement for the applicant)

About Summer Company

Program Outcomes

  • An award of up to $3,000
  • A first payment of up to $1,500 for start-up costs
  • A second payment of up to $1,500 once you’ve successfully completed the program
  • Hands-on coaching
  • Mentoring from business leaders in your community and from your program provider
Not sure where to start? Book with Olga George-Cosh, our Summer Company advisor.

How to Apply

Sessions are a mixture of online virtual training and in-person events.

The Summer Company program has an application process. To enter this program please complete the following:

  • Check to below to see if you’re eligible for the program
  • Complete the online application inquiry

See some of the amazing Summer Company students from previous years on the Summer Company Yearbook!

Program Restrictions

Individual Eligibility

Individuals applying for the program must satisfy the following requirements:

  • A student between 15 and 29 years old as of April 30 of each Project Funding Year (a parent or guardian must sign the application for applicants under 18);
  • Is either a brand-new eligible business or an early-stage eligible business that has been in operation for less than twelve (12) months as of July 1 of the Project Funding Year; businesses in operation for twelve (12) months or more as of that date are not eligible.

For enhanced clarity and example (previous funding year: FY2026-27):

  • *Eligible: Businesses registered or incorporated after July 1, 2026.
  • *Not eligible: Businesses registered or incorporated on or before July 1, 2026.
  • Attending school and returning to school in the fall (this includes full-time, part-time, homeschooling, e-learning, distance learning, apprenticeships, trade schools, etc.);
  • A resident of Ontario;
  • A Canadian citizen or a permanent resident;
  • Ensure participants do not exceed the maximum of 20 hours per week for combined outside commitments (employment and / or summer school) during the program term;
  • Self-employed as defined by the Canada Revenue Agency;
  • Has not previously received Summer Company funding.
  • Able to work over the summer period.
  • *A minimum of 280 hours if a high school student

Business Eligibility Criteria

Approved participants must create a new business that meets the following criteria to become an eligible business:

  • Is a sole proprietorship or a corporation where the approved participant is the majority shareholder;
  • Is an independent business venture;
  • Is either a brand-new eligible business or an early-stage eligible business that has been in operation for less than twelve (12) months as of July 1 of the Project Funding Year; businesses in operation for twelve (12) months or more as of that date are not eligible. For enhanced clarity and example (previous funding year: FY 2026-27):
  • *Eligible: Businesses registered or incorporated after July 1st, 2026

  • *Not eligible: Businesses registered or incorporated on or before July 1, 2026.

  • Operates at arm’s length from family business ventures;

  • Operates in Ontario;

  • In which the approved participant spends an average of 35 hours per week on the business operation for a minimum of 8 weeks for high school students, or 12 consecutive weeks for post-secondary school students, from the business start date as stated in the business plan; and

  • Is in compliance with all applicable law

Businesses that are not eligible:

  • Partnerships / co-operatives;
  • Franchises;
  • Distributorships;
  • Incorporated businesses that are controlled directly or indirectly by a person who would not be an eligible Youth under the Summer Company program;
  • Business ventures that are subsidiaries or divisions of an existing business;
  • Business ventures that are continuations of existing commercial endeavors as defined in the Summer Company guidelines available on ECR and Ontario.ca;
  • Business ventures that allow for commissioned sales;
  • Multi-level marketing ventures;
  • Single events such as a theatrical production, a DJ gig, a music concert, a dance / party event, a fundraiser, a sporting tournament, etc.;
  • Businesses that have a strictly pay per click service model;
  • Or “1-900” number businesses.

Want to participate in this program?

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