General News

Opportunities available for students to start a summer company

January 16, 2025   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

As students in Ontario head into the next semester, many are thinking about what to do during the summer break.

While most students work during the summer months to save money for tuition and other education expenses, some have an entrepreneurial spirit and want to open a business of their own.

The Province of Ontario assists students who are opening a summer business.

Through a program called Summer Company, eligible students can receive start-up money to kick off a new summer business as well as get advice and mentorship from local business leaders, helping to get their business up and running.

Learning how to run a student business provides the opportunity to be your own boss while learning what it takes to manage a business.

You could be eligible for assistance if you go to high school, college, or university, live in Ontario, are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and are between the ages of 15 and 29.

If under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must sign the agreement for the applicant.

You must not be working at another job or going to school for more than 12 hours a week during the program.

The maximum award amount is $3,000. Successful Summer Company applicants get up to $1,500 up front to help with start-up costs, and up to $1,500 when the program requirements are completed.

Start dates for companies are usually from May to July and end on Labour Day (Sept. 1). However, you can choose to keep running your summer business while in school.

During the summer program period, applicants must be prepared to commit a minimum of 280 hours for high school students and a minimum of 420 hours for post-secondary students.

A student can choose to start almost any type of business as long as it is a sole proprietorship or corporation, an independent business venture, (not part of an existing or family business), qualifies as ‘self-employed’ for income tax purposes, operates in Ontario on a full-time basis, and follows government rules for operating a business.

Students can apply through the province’s Small Business Enterprise Centre. 

Readers Comments (0)