Summer Company Applications for 2025 are Now Open
February 14, 2025Cornwall, Ontario – High school and post-secondary students looking to do something different this summer can now apply for funding and support to help them start a small business.
Summer Company is a program funded by the Government of Ontario to help high school and post-secondary students with start-up money to kick-off a new summer business. The program includes advice and mentorship from the Cornwall SDG Business Enterprise Centre as well as local business leaders to help get the business up and running.
Learning how to run a business is one of the best summer jobs a student can have. Participants of the program get to be their own boss while learning what it takes to manage a business. Sales, marketing, bookkeeping, customer relationship management and networking are just a few of the highly useful skills participants will develop.
“The entrepreneurial spirit can start at any age,” said Sydney Smith, Program Coordinator with the Cornwall SDG Business Enterprise Centre. “Summer Company in a unique program that gives students the skills they need to develop an idea into a full-time summer job and maybe even into a successful long-term business.”
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Summer Company program, participants must:
- Be a high school or post-secondary student when they apply, and must be returning to school in the fall ,
- live in Cornwall, S.D.G, or Akwesasne ,
- be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident ,
- be between 15-29 years old,
(if under 18: a parent or guardian must sign the agreement for the applicant) - are not already running a business , and
- are not working at another job or going to school for more than 12 hours a week during the program .
For Summer Company program guidelines visit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/summer-company-program-guidelines
Financial Support
Students who are accepted into the Summer Company program will receive up to $1,500 up-front to help with start-up costs. An additional $1,500 will be available for participants who successfully complete the program requirements by the end of the summer. In total, successful Summer Company participants will receive up to $3,000 in grant awards.
How to Apply
Those interested in applying for this year’s Summer Company Program must complete their applications by May 12th,2025. The Business Enterprise Centre encourages those interested to submit applications as early as possible in order to have the best chance of being accepted. To apply please fill out application here:
The Cornwall SDG Business Enterprise Centre staff are available to assist in completing applications and answering questions. Contact the centre by calling 613-930-2787 ext. 2276 or email Sydney Smith at sysmith@cornwall.ca
About the Cornwall SDG Business Enterprise Centre
The Cornwall SDG Business Enterprise Centre helps small business owners and entrepreneurs succeed in Cornwall, Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry & Akwesasne by offering information, tools and support during the start-up and growth stages of business operation. This includes administration of the Summer Company and Starter Company PLUS programs. The Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre is operated by Cornwall Economic Development and funded in part by the Government of Ontario.
The Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre is located at 100 Water Street East (Cornwall Civic Complex) and can be contacted by phone at 613-930-2787 x 2276 or online at: