Summer Company
The Summer Company Program is an opportunity for eligible youth to be provided with business skills development, training, advice & mentoring. Eligible applicants can receive up to $3,000 to start their own business.
Applicants must meet all requirements as listed below, please contact the Business & Entrepreneurship Centre if you have any questions.
Participant eligibility
- A student between 15 and 29 years old (a parent or guardian must sign the application for applicants under 18)
- Starting a new business (if you’re unsure, contact Program Provider)
- 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
- Not working at another job or attending school for more than 12 hours per week during the duration of the program
- Following the Canada Revenue Agency definition of being self-employed
- Able to work over the summer program period:
- A minimum of 280 hours if you’re a high school student
- A minimum of 420 hours if you’re a post-secondary student
Business eligibility requirements
- Is a sole proprietorship or a corporation where you (the applicant) will be the majority shareholder
- Is an independent business venture
- Operates in Ontario
- Operates full-time as defined in the business plan
- Follows government rules and regulations for operating a business
- Businesses must meet all of the above requirements
Eligibility details
How to Apply
Applications will reopen in 2026.
Applicant is responsible for planning business operations with completion of a business plan, meeting with Program Coordinator and submitting start-up expense list. If your application is accepted, you will be eligible to receive an upfront award of up to $1,500 to put toward start-up costs and up to $1,500 upon successful completion of the program. Successful completion requires that you:
- Implement your project substantially in accordance with the business plan
- Participate in coaching and training
- Provide documents related to the experience and business operations as required in the guidelines
- Meet all program requirements for establishing and operating the business
Once approved, you’ll be required to:
- Sign a Letter of Agreement with the program provider describing each party’s rights and responsibilities (a parent or guardian Must sign the agreement for applicants under 18)
- Sign a Release and Consent form (a parent or guardian must sign the form for participants under 18)
- Show your business name registration and any required licensing documents to your program provider for verification
- Spend your first payment within the first 30 days
- Operate your business over the summer program period, according to your business plan and cash flow, for:
- a minimum of 280 hours if you are a high school student
- a minimum of 420 hours if you are a post-secondary student
- Meet with your local program provider and mentors for a minimum of four meetings to review and track your progress
- Agree to one site visit by the program provider
- Maintain appropriate business records of income and expenditures including receipts
- Participate in business training with your program provider
Term of the program
Taxes
The grant is taxable under the Canada and Ontario Income Tax Acts. A T4A slip will be issued to the recipient of the award.
This program is delivered by Northumberland County and supported by the Province of Ontario.
