summer company
Work for the best boss ever. You!
Are you a student searching for a summer job? Have you ever wanted to start your own business around your passion or skills but are unsure of where to start? The Summer Company program can help turn your vision into reality. Be your own boss while learning what it takes to manage a business.
Program Information:
Summer Company is a key component of the Ontario government’s young entrepreneurs programs, which aims to encourage more young people to turn their talents into creative and innovative businesses.
Summer Company provides hands-on, business training and mentoring, together with awards of up to $3,000 to help enterprising students start up and run their own summer businesses. Successful students receive $1,500 up front to help with start-up costs and $1,500 when they successfully complete the program requirements.
learn moreEligibility:
Eligible candidates must be:
- between the ages of 15 and 29 (if under 18: a parent or guardian must sign the agreement for the applicant)
- attending school and returning to school in the fall of 2025
- a resident of Ontario
- a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident
- 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
- prepared to commit a minimum of 8-12 consecutive weeks for 35 hours per week to the experience
- 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
For a complete list of eligible and non eligible businesses, click here.
How to Apply:
Applications for the Summer Company 2025 cohort are now CLOSED. Thank you to everyone who applied.
- Carefully review the complete Summer Company Eligibility and Program Guidelines to confirm your eligibility here
- Click on the “Apply Now” button above to submit your eligibility inquiry or click here
- Eligible inquiries will receive instructions to complete a business plan and cash flow by your program manager
- If your application meets the program’s requirements, your program manager will invite you for an interview to discuss your business idea
- After the interview, your program manager will let you know if you’ve been approved to participate in the program
- If you have any questions, call the Hamilton Business Centre office at (905) 540-6400 or email hbc@hamilton.ca
Guides & Resources:
Are you a Summer Company 2025 participant?
Upload your required documents and monthly logs by visiting the link below.
upload documentsSummer Company Guides:
- Summer Company eligible and non-eligible business (PDF)
- Summer Company program guidelines
- Summer Company yearbook
