Summer Company (Ontario)
Summer Company (Ontario) is a program run by the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade that gives up to $3,000. You likely qualify if: Students aged 15 to 29 living in Ontario; Canadian citizen or permanent resident; Returning to school after the summer (checked on the official page on October 5, 2026).
Up to $3,000
You likely qualify if: Students aged 15 to 29 living in Ontario; Canadian citizen or permanent resident; Returning to school after the summer; Starting a new business, never had one.
The 2026 intake closed on May 15, 2026. Dates for 2027 were not posted yet on 2026-10-04. In 2026, businesses could run from April 1 to Labour Day. Space is limited and fills quickly, so apply early when the next intake opens.
Open the official pageSend to someone who needs thisChecked on October 5, 2026 on the official page
We last read this on October 5, 2026. That was a while ago, so please check their own website before you rely on it, and tell us below if something changed.
An Ontario government program that helps students start and run their own summer business. You get up to $3,000: up to $1,500 at the start for start-up costs, and up to $1,500 more when you finish the program. You also get business training and mentoring from local business leaders. In Toronto, the City of Toronto runs the program.
Who qualifies
Students aged 15 to 29 who live in Ontario, are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, go to high school, college or university (homeschool, e-learning, part-time study and apprenticeships also count) and will return to school after the summer. You must be starting a new business of your own (not part of a family business), not already run a business, never have received Summer Company before, and not work or study more than 12 hours a week during the program. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must sign the agreement. High school students must work at least 280 hours on the business, and college or university students at least 420 hours.
You likely qualify if:
- Students aged 15 to 29 living in Ontario
- Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Returning to school after the summer
- Starting a new business, never had one
How to apply
- Apply on their website.
- Questions? [email protected]
- Come back here and tell us if it worked.
Other ways, if that one is quiet
Where else they are
Their website is ontario.ca/page/start-summer-company-students.
Good to know
- CostFree
- Their stepsWatch for the 2027 intake: subscribe to the City of Toronto BusinessTO newsletter or email [email protected] to hear when it opens. Plan a new summer business that you will own and run yourself, and write a business plan. If you live in Toronto, apply through the City of Toronto. Elsewhere in Ontario, apply through your local Ontario Small Business Advisory Centre. If you are approved, take the training, work with your mentor and run your business all summer to get the second payment.
Did this way in answer?
Talk to a person: call 2-1-1, any time
Something wrong? Tell us
What to bring
- A business plan
- A parent's signature if under 18
Dates
Between rounds right now.
The 2026 intake closed on May 15, 2026. Dates for 2027 were not posted yet on 2026-10-04. In 2026, businesses could run from April 1 to Labour Day. Space is limited and fills quickly, so apply early when the next intake opens.
This is between rounds right now. Check their page for when the next one opens.
Something wrong? Tell us
We read all of this on their own website. If something has changed, tell us here. It takes 20 seconds, needs no account, and nothing is deleted: the old fact stays until a person checks yours.