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.

Check to see if you’re eligible for the program

Program Tags

Students Grant Funding Entrepreneurs

Application Deadline

May 17, 2024

Time Commitment

280 hours for high school students
420 hours for post-secondary students

Start Date

April/May for post secondary students, following their exams for Winter Semester
June/July for high school students, with the potential of a few meetings prior to the end of school

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)

Partners

About Summer Company

Join our 2023 Students for their Launch Event at Guelph City hall

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 system operated by the provincial government. In apply to enter this program please complete the following.

Check to see if you’re eligible for the program
Complete the online application inquiry
Select your local program provider
Assign yourself a password
Submit your application inquiry

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

Program Restrictions

Eligibility

In order to apply participants must:

Go to high school, college or university
Live in Ontario
Are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Are between 15-29 years old (if under 18: a parent or guardian must sign the agreement for the applicant)
Are not already running a business
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

Business requirements

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