Summer Company

For students in Ontario who want more than a traditional summer job, launching a small business can be a powerful way to build real-world experience and earn income. The Summer Company program is designed to help young entrepreneurs turn a business idea into a viable summer venture, while gaining hands-on skills that can carry forward into future careers. Whether the idea is service-based, creative, or digitally focused, the program encourages students to take ownership of their work and learn what it truly means to be self-employed.

Delivered by the Government of Ontario through local Small Business Enterprise Centres, Summer Company combines funding support with practical mentorship. Participants can receive up to about $3,000 in non-repayable funding to help cover start-up costs, along with guidance from local business advisors and entrepreneurs. Beyond the financial support, the real value often comes from learning how to price services, manage cash flow, market to customers, and balance the day-to-day realities of running a business over the summer months.

The program is typically available each year and is well suited for Ontario-based high school and post-secondary students who meet certain requirements and plan to return to school afterward. For students exploring entrepreneurship for the first time, learning more about how Summer Company works could be the first step toward a rewarding summer and a stronger long-term skill set.