This program is currently between intakes. Most SBECs open applications January–March for the upcoming summer. Provincial deadline is typically late April/early May. Confirm on the official site ↗
Updated June 2026 · Verified against Ontario Ministry of Economic Development guidelines
✓ First-Timer Friendly Lump Sum Est. 2001
Award Provincial Between Intakes

Summer Company (Ontario)

Ontario Ministry of Economic Development
Prize
Up to $3,000
Spring annual (for summer student businesses) — 2026 deadline was May 15, 202...
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Easy
Payment
Lump Sum
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Summer Company (Ontario) provides Up to $3,000. Program for students aged 15-29 to start and run their own summer business. Spring annual (for summer student businesses) — 2026 deadline was May 15, 2026; all regional intakes now closed; next intake Spring 2027.. Approval odds: ~50–70% (GrantCompass analysis)
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Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

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Program Description

Program for students aged 15-29 to start and run their own summer business. Provides hands-on business training, mentorship, and awards for successful completion.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be aged 15–29 years old
  • Must be an Ontario resident
  • Must be returning to school (secondary or post-secondary) in the fall after the program
  • Business must be a new summer venture (less than 24 months old)
  • Must commit to completing the program's business training and mentorship requirements
Provinces
Ontario
Industries
All
Business Stage
Startup

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Easy
Competition
Moderate
First-Timer
Friendly

Funding Details

Amount
Up to $3,000
Type
Award
Level
Provincial
Deadline
Spring annual (for summer student businesses) — 2026 deadline was May 15, 2026; all regional intakes now closed; next intake Spring 2027.

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Competition
Moderate
Deadline
Between Intakes
Approval
Good
Approval Rate
~50–70%
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
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What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to win Summer Company (Ontario)

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How to Win

Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like

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Insider Tip

Apply as early as January–February when your local SBEC opens — don't wait for the provincial May deadline, because spots fill fast at popular centres. Choose a service business (tutoring, lawn care, photography, event planning) over a product business — they're easier to start in 8 weeks with $1,500 and generate revenue faster. Critically: do NOT create any social media pages, register the business, or take any paying customers before your application is accepted — any prior business activity can disqualify you.

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Rejection Pitfalls 9

  • Business already operational before application (any revenue, registration, or social media presence disqualifies)
  • Ineligible business type: partnership, franchise, distributorship, MLM, commissioned sales, single event, or pay-per-click only
  • Exceeding 12 hours/week of other work or schooling during program period
+6 more pitfalls
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Success Profile

Students aged 15–22 launching a first-ever service business in their community (lawn care, tutoring, photography, social media management, crafts, pet services, event planning). Realistic business plan within 8–12 weeks. No prior business activity. Full-time availability for summer with no competing employment. Genuine openness to mentorship. Students in smaller-city SBECs have slightly higher acceptance rates due to less competition.

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Evaluation Criteria

Business plan quality and feasibility; realistic cash flow projections; specific niche and clear target customer; interview performance; full-time summer availability; genuine openness to mentorship; no prior business activity before acceptance.

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Application Playbook

Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses

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Application Steps

1 Find your local SBEC Locate your nearest Small Business Enterprise Centre at ontario.ca/page/find-small-business-enterprise-centre. Each centre has its own application timeline — apply as early as January.
2 Complete eligibility screening Submit a short eligibility form confirming: age 15–29, Ontario residency, student status returning to school in fall, no prior Summer Company participation, no existing business activity.
3 Receive invitation to apply Eligible students are invited by the SBEC to submit a full application package.
4 Submit business plan and cash flow Prepare a business plan using the Ontario government template or equivalent, including realistic revenue projections, startup cost budget, and description of the business concept.
5 Attend interview If the application passes the threshold review, the SBEC invites you for an in-person or virtual interview. This is the primary selection gate — be specific about target customers, pricing, and competitive advantage.
6 Sign agreement and register business Successful applicants sign a Letter of Agreement and (if under 18) a parental consent form. Register the business name and open a business bank account.
7 Receive first tranche Up to $1,500 disbursed to your business bank account after registration documents are confirmed.
8 Operate business with mentorship Run the business for the summer. Attend at least four mentorship meetings with the assigned SBEC mentor. Allow at least one site visit.
9 Complete final interview and survey Participate in the end-of-program completion interview and complete the anonymous province-wide survey. Both are required for the second payment.
10 Receive second tranche Up to $1,500 disbursed upon successful program completion.

Required Documents 9

✓ Business plan (using Ontario government template or equivalent)
✓ Cash flow statement and startup budget / revenue projections
✓ Completed application form with contact information
✓ Proof of school enrollment and return-to-school confirmation
✓ Business name registration and licensing documents (after acceptance, before Tranche 1 payment)
✓ Business bank account confirmation
✓ Letter of Agreement (all participants)
✓ Parental/guardian Release and Consent form (applicants under 18)
✓ Anonymous completion survey (at program end, required for Tranche 2)

Deadline Notes

Deadline varies by local Small Business Enterprise Centre. Apply as early as January/February when your regional SBEC opens applications — spots fill fast at high-demand centres. 2025 deadline was May 16; 2026 cycle deadlines range from mid-April to mid-May.

Open Application Portal →

Ineligible Organizations

  • Partnerships, co-operatives, franchises, distributorships, multi-level marketing ventures, single-event businesses (theatrical productions, DJ gigs), strictly pay-per-click operations, 1-900 businesses, businesses with any prior revenue or registration activity before acceptance, family business extensions.
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Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

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Compatible Programs

Potentially stackable with Canada Summer Jobs Potentially stackable with NOHFC Youth programs OSAP grace period extension (6 months) available to student entrepreneurs
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential
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How Summer Company (Ontario) Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

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Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
Summer Company (Ontario) Up to $3,000 Easy Lump Sum Spring annual (for...
Canada Summer Jobs Up to 100% wage subsidy Easy Reimbursement Annual — 2026 cycle...
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Ontario Innovation Tax Credit Up to 8% tax credit Moderate Tax Credit Offset Ongoing
Commercial Façade Improvement Grant P... Up to $12,500 (50% of costs) Easy Reimbursement Annual Intake

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about Summer Company (Ontario)

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Can I apply if I already have a business?
No — business must be new (less than 24 months old) with zero prior revenue, registration, or social media presence. Any pre-application activity disqualifies you.
What's the typical award amount?
Most recipients receive $3,000 (max), though some get $1,500–$2,500 based on business plan quality and local SBEC capacity.
When are decisions made?
Decisions are made within 2–4 weeks after application submission. Apply early (Jan–Feb) to avoid SBEC spot shortages.
Do I need to register my business first?
No — creating business pages, registering, or taking customers before approval disqualifies you. Start after acceptance.
Can I stack this with Canada Summer Jobs?
Yes — Summer Company is a student award, Canada Summer Jobs is an employer program. Both can be used together for the same summer.

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