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The Summer Company program can help you launch and operate a business this summer. The program provides:

• Business training and mentorship to help you get your business up and running.
• Opportunity for a grant up to $3,000 to help you launch your summer business.

For information on the program guidelines, visit https://www.ontario.ca/summercompany

Démarrer une entreprise d'été : étudiants; L'information est disponible en français ICI

All applicants must complete the business plan template and cash flow forecast as part of their application to the program. You must use the templates provided below:

Summerco_Business_Plan_2025_EN.docx
SCCashflow.xlsx​

Summer Company Program Guidelines

Detailed guidelines on how to apply for money to start your own student business this summer.

Program Information

Summer Company is a program of the government of Ontario that helps young people between 15 and 29 years old start and run their own summer business by providing funding, advice and services. The Brampton Entrepreneur Centre delivers Summer Company for Brampton/Caledon students.

If you're accepted into the program, you'll receive:

• an award of up to $3,000
  • a first payment of up to $1,500 for start-up costs
  • a second payment of up to $1,500 once you've successfully completed the program
• hands-on coaching
• mentoring from business leaders in your community and from your program provider

You also get to keep any profits generated through the operation of your business.

Eligibility and Participation Requirements for Candidates

You're eligible to participate if you're:

• a student between 15 and 29 years old as of April 30, 2025 (a parent or guardian must sign the application for applicants under 18)
• starting a new business (if you're unsure, contact your program provider)
• attending school and returning to school in the fall (this includes full-time, part-time, homeschooling, e-learning, distance learning, apprenticeships, trade schools, etc.)
• a resident of Ontario
• a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident
• not working at another job or attending school for more than 12 hours per week during the duration of the program
• following the Canada Revenue Agency definition of being self-employed
• able to work over the summer program period:
  • a minimum of 280 hours if you're a high school student
  • a minimum of 420 hours if you're a post-secondary student

We may approve exceptions.

You must meet all of the above requirements.

You're not eligible if you've received funding from Summer Company in the past.

Eligibility Requirements for Businesses

Almost any type of business is eligible, as long as it:

• is a sole proprietorship or a corporation where you (the applicant) will be the majority shareholder
• is an independent business venture
• is a new business, not previously registered or operated on an on-going basis
• operates at arm's length from family business ventures
• operates in Ontario
• operates full-time as defined in the business plan
• follows government rules and regulations for operating a business

Businesses must meet all of the above requirements.

Businesses not eligible for funding

These types of businesses are not eligible for funding:

• partnerships/co-operatives
• franchises
• distributorship
  
• businesses already in operation
  
• incorporated businesses that are controlled directly or indirectly by a person who would not be eligible for a Summer Company award
• business ventures that are subsidiaries or divisions of an existing business
• business ventures that are continuations of existing commercial endeavours
• commissioned sales
• multi-level marketing ventures
• single events such as a theatrical production, a DJ gig, a music concert, a dance/party event, a fundraiser, a sporting tournament, etc.
• businesses that are strictly pay-per-click
• 1-900 businesses
  
• businesses that primarily import finished products for resale. However, businesses that import raw materials as part of a manufacturing or product creation process are eligible.​

Conditions

The program gives students the full experience of running their own business. Note that:

• the program provider may, at its discretion, determine that a particular business is ineligible for the Summer Company program
• online businesses are acceptable, but there must be face-to-face opportunities to market and sell your product
• app and tech businesses must be market-ready and must generate sales by the end of the summer
• if you plan to run a business that requires certification, you'll need to show proof to your program provider. If you're unsure about certification obligations, ask your program provider. Certification examples include:
  • Food handling certification for businesses that produce and/or sell food - home-based food production is not permitted
    
  • National Life Saving certification for businesses that offer swimming lessons
  • Canada Professional Fitness Certification (CanFitPro) for businesses that offer personal fitness training
  • Licences for businesses that specialize in drone photography through Transport Canada​

Application process

To apply:

1. Verify eligibility by visiting the Ontario Summer Company website
2. Apply early - space is limited and the program reaches capacity quickly.
   
3. One you've submitted an application, you will spent time to build your business plan and cash flow.  When you are ready to submit,  you will upload your completed business plan and cash flow to your application.
   

Approval process

Once you've submitted your application inquiry:

• we will contact you and ask you to submit an application, which includes a business plan and cash flow.
  
• we will help you with your application, if required and review your application
  
• if your application meets the program's requirements, we will invite you for an interview
• after the interview, we will let you know if you've been approved to participate in the program
• at this time we will provide payment of up to $1,500 for start-up costs. This payment can NOT be disbursed until after April 1st and all documentation/agreements are signed.
  

Evaluation Process

Requirements to Participate

Once approved, you'll be required to:

• sign a Letter of Agreement with the City of Brampton describing each party's rights and responsibilities (a parent or guardian must sign the agreement for applicants under 18)
• sign a Release and Consent form (a parent or guardian must sign the form for participants under 18)
• show your business name registration and any required licensing documents to the City of Brampton for verification
• open and operate a bank account for the business
• spend your first payment within the first 30 days
• operate your business over the summer program period, according to your business plan and cash flow, for:
  • a minimum of 280 hours if you are a high school student
  • a minimum of 420 hours if you are a post-secondary student
• meet with your Summer Company Advisor and mentors for a minimum of four meetings to review and track your progress
• agree to one site visit by the City of Brampton
• maintain appropriate business records of income and expenditures including receipts
• participate in business training

Requirements to complete the program

To receive the second payment (up to $1,500), you need to:

• meet your requirements to participate (listed above)
• participate in an exit interview at the end of the summer
• provide the following to your program provider for review, in a professional and business-like format:
  • a cash flow record of your business operations
  • copies of all your bank statements
  • copies of all business receipts and invoices organized to show that you used the first payment for start-up costs
• submit a signed confirmation that you're returning to school
• complete the anonymous online participant survey

If you don't successfully complete the program, you will not receive the second payment and you may be asked to reimburse the first payment.

If you met all the requirements to complete the program but did not spend the full first payment within 30 days, the difference will be deducted from your second payment.

Term of the program

You may decide to start and/or continue your business while you're in school, but for the purpose of the program's administration, business operations can start no earlier than April 1 and must end by Labour Day.

Taxes

The award is taxable under the Canada and Ontario Income Tax Acts. A T4A slip will be issued to the recipient of the award.

2026 Summer Company Info Session

• Program eligibility requirements
  
• Program participation requirements and expectations
• Program training and mentorship
• Program grant opportunity
• and how to complete and submit a program application.​
  

2026 Summer Company Business Planning Webinars

• In this session, we’ll break down the essential components of a strong business plan, including:
• Defining your business idea & target market
• Structuring your plan for clarity and impact
• Creating a cash flow forecast & startup budget
• Tips to strengthen your application
  

Whether you're starting from scratch or refining your plan, this webinar will give you the tools and confidence to build a solid foundation for success.

​for Wednesday, March 12th, 2025