Summer Company

The Summer Company program helps students start a summer business and gain valuable experience as an entrepreneur. Offered in partnership with the Province of Ontario, this program provides entrepreneurial training, mentorship and grants of up to $3,000 to eligible students.

How to apply

To apply for the Summer Company program, you must first submit an eligibility inquiry. Eligible candidates will be invited to submit a business plan with a start-up budget and cash flow projections. This information along with an interview will be used as part of the selection criteria for the program. For more information on how to apply, please contact us.

Applications closed May 15, 2023 - Please check back in January 2024

Eligibility and participation requirements for candidates

Please complete the eligibility inquiry to see if you qualify for the program. You’re eligible to participate if you’re: 

• Attending school and returning to school in the fall (this includes high school, college or university)
• A resident of Ontario
• A Canadian citizen or a permanent resident
• Between the ages of 15 and 29 (a parent or guardian must sign the application for applicants under 18)
• Starting a new business 
• 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

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. Visit the Province of Ontario's Summer Company website for information about the types of businesses not eligible for funding. 

Program guidelines and benefits

Review the Province of Ontario's program guidelines to find out about the different funding opportunities, participation requirements, program term and taxes.

Through the Summer Company program, you can be your own boss and learn what it takes to manage a business. You'll gain experience in a variety of areas, including:

• Sales
• Marketing
• Invoicing
• Bookkeeping
• Customer relations

Current participants

Check out our 2023 program participates from the Windsor-Essex area.

Calico Bakery - Mackenzie Atanasio

Custom deserts and baked goods calicobakery.square.site Instagram Facebook Calico Bakery is a home-based bakery that sells delicious cakes, cinnamon buns, custards, cookies, and more.

Usamah's Shiny Windows - Usamah Bhutta

Window cleaning services  usamahbhutta95@gmail.com 226-975-1880 Usamah's Shiny Windows is a window and siding cleaning company servicing the Windsor-Essex region.

SEA’s Crochet- Scarlett Ambedian

Custom crochet products seas.crochet@gmail.com Instagram SEA’s Crochet creates handmade crochet hats, bags, and more. Custom orders are available.

Glimmer and Shine Car Detailing - Micah Moore

Car detailing services  mmicah012@gmail.com 226-246-7218 Glimmer and Shine Car Detailing provides affordable vehicle detailing and seat steaming services.

Struced Lawn Care - Tanveer Singh

Lawn care services  singh0tanveer3@gmail.com  Struced Land Care is a landscaping business that provides lawn care, sod installation, pressure washing, garden design, planting, and other landscaping services.

Arcane Landscaping - Michael Hayo

Landscaping services 519-999-5122  arcanelandscaping@gmail.com  Arcane Landscaping is an outdoor transformation company proudly serving the Windsor-Essex region. Their mission is to bring your dreams to life through the art of landscaping, ensuring unparalleled quality and satisfaction for all their valued customers.

Miss Magpie Atelier - Natalie Dallaire

Fashion design and alteration services  missmagpieatelier.ca Instagram  Miss Magpie Atelier is a fashion accessory and apparel design company. Using upcycled materials to create looks and accessories that blend functional femme style with fantasy flair. Classy but quirky, well-made statement pieces that shout to the world what makes you unique.

Henna Hand and Body Art - Kamryn Couvillon

Henna body art 519-984-4208 Instagram Henna Hand and Body Art pops up at local fairs, events, and festivals across Essex County to create custom, beautiful, henna body art.  Personal bookings for parties and gatherings are also available.

Hannah's Pawfect Portrait - Hannah Simons

Custom pet portraits hannahspawpefctportraits@outlook.com Instagram Hannah's Pawfect Portraits sells a variety of custom pet portraits and personalized mugs crafted with the clients pets image.

Nature's Complexion - Ashley Easton

Natural skin care products natures-complexions.myshopify.com nature.complexions@gmail.com 226-340-6450  Instagram  Natures Complexion manufactures all natural, eco-friendly skin care products. They currently sell lip scrub and body scrub in a variety of different scents.

Luxe Labels - Aisha Bhutta

Custom label design and print bhutta1@uwindsor.ca Instagram Luxe Labels designs and prints customized labels and stickers for events such as weddings, bridal showers, baby showers, or any reason you can think of.

Jasniewicz Consulting - Karol Jasniewicz

Website software development  karol@jasniewicz.com 226-340-6955 Jasniewicz Consulting is a technology consulting company that specializes in creating, updating and modernizing websites, hosting potential clients websites and mail servers, and creating modern software applications.