Be your own boss this summer
Want to run your own business?
We teach youth the practical skills for starting up a successful business during the summer break. We then coach and fund them to run it.
If you are between the ages of 15 and 29 and you have a business idea, you may be eligible for this program. If accepted, you will receive up to $3,000, hands-on coaching and interactive workshops for starting and running your own business this summer.
Program participants receive
Interactive workshops
Hands-on mentorship
A grant of up to $3,000
A digital community of entrepreneurial peers
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Fifth Avenue Painting provides residential interior painting services.
Queeny Decorations provides event planning services for weddings, birthday parties for all ages, gender reveals, funerals, bridal showers and more.
GenesAce sells heart-made journals for expressing your authentic creativity, helping you bring your wildest dreams, ideas, and goals to life through the power of writing.
Miss Meow Knit/Crochet sells handmade yet affordable, customizable knit/crochet wear and accessories.
Practice With Me provides a violin practice buddy, helping violin students improve faster by practicing the violin with them.
Kosei Crochet sells crocheted stuffies, potentially expanding to other products in the future, such as hats, keychains, accessories and more.
Ottawa Hot Stuff offers rare and specialty hot pepper products including fresh exotic peppers, pepper jellies and pickled peppers. Peppers to look forward to include Ghost, Trinidad Scorpion, Habaneros and more.
Capital League is an initiative providing young men in Ottawa with the opportunity to play the sport they love and connect with their peers.
One of the best summer jobs you can have
Build your business
- Propose a new business idea separate from any current family businesses.
- Prepare a business plan that shows the business can successfully launch and operate this summer.
- Learn what it takes to run a successful business through interactive workshops and hands-on coaching by experienced entrepreneurs.
- Develop skills in sales, marketing, bookkeeping, customer relationship management and online sales.
- Run your business; be prepared to invest 35 hours a week to operate it during the summer.
Build your business
- Propose a new business idea separate from any current family businesses.
- Prepare a business plan that shows the business can successfully launch and operate this summer.
- Learn what it takes to run a successful business through interactive workshops and hands-on coaching by experienced entrepreneurs.
- Develop skills in sales, marketing, bookkeeping, customer relationship management and online sales.
- Run your business; be prepared to invest 35 hours a week to operate it during the summer.
Leverage the start-up money
A grant of up to $3,000 will be awarded to successful applicants in two instalments:
- The first instalment of up to $1,500 will be provided to cover startup costs at the beginning of the program.
- The second instalment of up to $1,500 will be provided upon successful completion of the program.
Find your community
- Meet like-minded young entrepreneurs like yourself.
- Share your passions.
- Make friends along the way.
Find your community
- Meet like-minded young entrepreneurs like yourself.
- Share your passions.
- Make friends along the way.
Apply now and be your own boss this summer
Meet Ottawa student entrepreneurs
Join our waitlist to receive program updates.
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Is the Summer Company Program for you?
This program is made possible through funding from the Government of Ontario.
- Be between 15 and 29 years old.
- Currently a student and returning to school in the fall (proof of enrollment required).
- Be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant residing in Ontario.
- Are not already running a business.
- Are not working at another job or going to school for more than 12 hours a week during the program.
Applications for 2021 program are open until May 23. Here is how to apply:
- Check to see if you’re eligible for the program.
- Complete the online application inquiry.
- Select your local program provider.
- Assign yourself a password.
- Submit your application inquiry.
- If your application meets the program requirements, you will be instructed to complete the Summer Company business plan template and start up budget calculator.
- Once your business plan and startup budget calculator are complete and submitted, your program coordinator will invite you for an interview.
- After the interview, your program coordinator will let you know if you’ve been approved to participate in the program.
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