Summer Company Program

How it works

Through the Summer Company Program you can get:

  • Start-up money to kick-off a new summer business
  • Advice and mentorship 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:

  • 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

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.

What kind of business

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

The deadline for submission for 2024 has passed.

If you would like to discuss the Summer Company program or your eligibility for our next round, reach out to our Business Enterprise Centre team by calling 519-332-1820 or email smallbusiness@sarnialambton.on.ca. Alternatively, you can complete our easy online the Summer Company Expression of Interest Intake Form to have one of our staff contact you.