Summer Company Program
How it works
The Summer Company Program is an entrepreneurship program designed for students.
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
If you have received a Summer Company grant in the past, you cannot apply again. 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.
Call your local Ontario Works (https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-works) or Ontario Disability Support Program office (https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-disability-support-program)
Through the program you can get:
- up to $1,500 up front to help with start-up costs
- up to $1,500 when you successfully complete the program requirements
- advice and mentorship from local business leaders 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.
Dates and hours
Start date:
- May 1 - postsecondary students
- July 1 - secondary school students
End date: Labour Day (but you can choose to keep running your summer business while in school)
Over the summer program period, you must be prepared to commit:
- a minimum of 280 hours for high school students
- a minimum of 420 hours for post-secondary students
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
Learn more about self-employed workers (https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/forms-publications/publications/rc4110/employee-self-employed.html) (Canada Revenue Agency)
How to apply
The applications for 2025 are open through May 16, 2025. Apply now to the Orangeville and Area Small Business Enterprise Centre (Orangeville and Area SBEC) using this form online, or download and deliver in person or via email to:
Summer Company Program Coordinator
Orangeville and Area SBEC
Town of Orangeville
200 Lakeview Court (Upper Level)
Orangeville, ON L9W 5J7
Email: sbec@orangeville.ca
How you're approved
- The Orangeville and Area SBEC Co-ordinator will review your application.
- If your application meets the program's requirements, the Orangeville and Area SBEC (program provider) will invite you for an interview.
- After the interview, your program provider will let you know if you've been approved to participate in the program. Spaces are limited.
Deadlines
The general program deadline for applications is May 16, 2025.
After you're accepted
You'll need to:
- sign an agreement with the Orangeville and Area SBEC
- agree to follow program guidelines
- verify you've registered the business name
- provide any other required licensing documents
- have a bank account for the business
- agree to at least one site visit from your program provider
- meet your program provider and business mentor for a minimum of four meetings over the program period
If you have any questions about the Summer Company Program or this application form, please contact the Orangeville and Area SBEC at 519-941-0440 Ext 2286
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