About Summer Company
Are you looking for a summer job? Have you always wanted to test the water with entrepreneurship but unsure of where to start, scared, or nervous? Summer Company might be a great fit for you!
This program will provide accepted students, between the ages of 15-29, with mentoring, business training, and up to $3,000 in funding to start and run their business for the summer. The Small Business Centre will assist you in the development of your business plan and throughout your business operations during the whole summer.
Summer Company applications will open in early 2025, and close in May 2025.
JOIN THE 2025 WAITLIST:
To be added to the waitlist to learn more about the 2025 Summer Company Program, and be the first to receive application information when it launches in the new year, fill out this short form.
How it works
Through the 2-3 month program, you get:
- 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. Sales, marketing, bookkeeping, customer relationship management and networking are just a few of the highly useful skills you’ll develop.
Who is eligible
You could be eligible, if you:
- are a student who is returning to high school, college or university in Fall 2025
- 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
- have not 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.
Call your local Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program office for more information.
Award amount
Maximum award: $3,000
Successful Summer Company applicants get:
- up to $1,500 up front to help with start-up costs
- up to $1,500 when you successfully complete the program requirements
Dates and hours
Start date: usually May to July.
End date: Labour Day (but you can choose to keep running your summer business while in school).
Over the summer program period, you must be prepared to commit:
- a minimum of 280 hours for high school students
- a minimum of 420 hours for post-secondary students
What kind of businesses
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
Learn more about self-employed workers (Canada Revenue Agency).
How to apply
Applications for Summer 2024 are now closed. The 2025 Summer Company program will open for applications in Winter 2025.
To be added to the waitlist to learn more about the 2025 Summer Company Program, and be the first to receive application information when it launches in the new year, fill out this short form.
To learn more about the program’s guidelines and potential post-acceptance process, visit The Government of Ontario’s page HERE.
Students in the Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia areas who are looking to explore entrepreneurship or grow their own business are also able to access our Small Business Centre’s free resources, workshops, and services year-round. To learn more, you can email the Centre directly at smallbusiness@barrie.ca.
