Starting a business as a student can be tough when you have little savings or experience. Ontario’s Summer Company grant helps by providing students with start-up funding and hands-on mentorship to run a business over the summer. Each year, thousands of Ontario students apply to this program to try out real business ideas while school is out.
Summer Company is a provincial program designed to help students start and run a small business during the summer months. If you are approved, you can receive up to $3,000 in start-up funding—this funding only needs to be repaid if you do not meet the program’s requirements—plus business training and one-on-one mentoring from a local program provider.
Key facts at a glance:
The funding is typically split into two parts:
To start a student business in Ontario with the Summer Company grant, you must meet all eligibility rules. These are strictly enforced.
You are eligible if you:
If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign your program agreement.
Most small, for-profit student businesses are eligible, as long as they are new and operated by you during the summer.
Common approved ideas include:
Your business must be:
Existing businesses and passive income projects do not qualify.
Preparation is key to making the most of the Summer Company grant. Here is how the process usually works.
You must submit a clear business plan that explains:
Strong plans focus on realistic numbers, not big promises.
You do not apply directly to the province. Applications are managed by local Small Business Enterprise Centres (SBECs) and other regional providers across Ontario.
If approved, you will receive:
Participation is mandatory to receive full funding.
During the program, your business must be your main focus. Working another job more than 12 hours per week can make you ineligible.
Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you confirm whether Summer Company—and other student grants—fit your profile in seconds.
The Summer Company grant is meant for real start-up costs, not personal expenses.
Eligible expenses often include:
Expenses must support your approved business plan and be properly documented.
For more details, see:
What Business Expenses Are Eligible Across Canadian Grants and Loans?
Applying with a vague business idea
Weak or unclear business plans are the top reason applications fail.
Underestimating the time commitment
If you plan to work another job, you may break the 12-hour rule and lose funding.
Missing reporting requirements
Final reports are required to receive the full grant amount.
Assuming the grant is non-repayable
The funding is repayable only if you do not complete program requirements.
Q: Is the Summer Company grant repayable?
Yes. The funding is repayable if you do not meet program conditions, such as completing the business and submitting final reports.
Q: How much funding can I receive?
You can receive up to $3,000, usually split between an initial payment and a final payment after program completion.
Q: Can I apply if I already run a small business?
No. You must be starting a new business. Existing business owners are not eligible.
Q: Do I have to return to school after the summer?
Yes. Returning to school after the program ends is a required condition of eligibility.
Q: What expenses can the grant cover?
Common expenses include marketing, equipment, supplies, and other start-up costs tied directly to your approved business plan.
The Summer Company grant is one of the best ways to test a business idea while you are still a student in Ontario. The key is applying early with a clear plan and understanding the rules before you start spending.
GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant programs across Canada, including student and youth entrepreneurship funding. You can use GrantHub to compare programs and find the right fit for your business idea—get started today.
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