Summer Company
Summer Company provides training, mentoring and grants up to $3,000 to Ontario students, between the ages of 15 and 29, who wish to start a full-time business over the summer.
Have an idea for a business? Take the next step and make it a reality. You’ll gain practical business skills and real world experience while connecting with other young entrepreneurs and receiving support from professionals along the way.
Who Can Apply to Summer Company?
You could be eligible, if you:
- attend 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
- are operating your business in Greater Sudbury, Manitoulin Island and surrounding area
Summer Company Grant Up to $3,000!
Successful Summer Company applicants receive:
up to $1,500 up front to help with approved start-up costs
up to $1,500 upon successful completion of program requirements
Eligible and Ineligible Businesses
We welcome a wide range of business ideas and encourage applicants to follow their interests and passions. The lists below outline examples of businesses that are eligible and not eligible for the Summer Company Program.
Examples of eligible businesses:
- Lawn Care/Services
- Car Detailing
- Swimming Lessons
- Tutoring
- Makers / Creating a product
- Photography
- Dog Walking or kennelling
- Window Washing
- Food services
- Professional services
- And much more…
Businesses NOT eligible:
- Businesses that cannot generate sales revenue during the July–August program period.
- Businesses that operate exclusively online and do not engage in in-person sales activities
- Businesses that do not require active in-person sales or customer engagement (ex. vending machines)
- Not-for-profit or charity
- Property investment and/or short-term rental investments
- Real estate agents
- Partnerships/co-operatives
- Franchises
- Distributorships
- Incorporated businesses that are controlled directly or indirectly by a person who would not be eligible for a Summer Company award
- Businesses that are subsidiaries or divisions of an existing business
- Businesses that are continuations of existing commercial endeavours
- Businesses that do not operate at arm’s length from family business ventures
- 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, a market, etc.
- Businesses that are strictly pay per click
- 1-900 businesses
Important Dates
Application Deadline: May 21, 2027
Space in the program is limited and may fill before the deadline. To avoid missing out, we strongly encourage you to apply and complete your business plan as early as possible.
Please note: Participation in the Summer Company Program includes mandatory training sessions, which are a key component of the program, and businesses must be actively operated during the summer months.
Program Dates:
- Training Start Date: June 4, 2027
- Business Start Date: June 1, 2027 (post-secondary students); June 28, 202y (high school students)
- Business End Date: August 31, 2027
Requirements
Over the summer program period, you must commit to:
- work a minimum of 280 hours over 8 weeks if you’re in high school; 420 hours over 12 weeks if you’re in college or university
- spend an average of 35 hours per week on running your business and training
- attend mandatory training sessions and workshops – approximately 3-4 sessions
- meet with program coordinator bi-weekly – virtually or in-person
- schedule two site visits to your business with the program coordinator
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Ontario Small Business Advisory Centres (OSBAC) services and programs are delivered locally by the Regional Business Centre and funded in partnership with the Government of Ontario.
