An Ontario program for students aged 15 to 29 who want to run their own business over the summer, delivered locally by the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre. It offers up to $3,000 plus training and mentoring. Students must be returning to school after the summer.
Amount
Up to $3,000
Status
Closed, opens Mar 1, 2027107days until it opensThe centre says 2027 applications open March 1, 2027. The page lists a May 15 deadline but doesn't give the year.
Type
Grant plus training for students
Run by
Waterloo Region Small Business Centre, funded in part by the Government of Ontario
Where
All of Waterloo Region
Checked on
Nov 13, 2026
Who it's for
Aged 15 to 29; under 18 needs a parent to co-sign
Full-time high school, college or university student returning to school
Lives in Ontario, Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Can work on the business about 35 hours a week over the summer
Not for
Anyone who already got a Summer Company grant
Businesses that are part of an existing or family business
Students working another job or studying more than 20 hours a week during the program
What it covers
Start-up money for a summer business
Training in sales, marketing, bookkeeping, customer relationships and networking
Mentoring from local business leaders
How to apply
Check the list of documents on the centre's additional documents page
Ask the centre for help preparing the application if needed
Apply once applications open on March 1, 2027
Post-secondary and high school students attend a mandatory orientation
Good to know
Post-secondary students commit to at least 12 weeks (420 hours); high school students at least 8 weeks (280 hours).
The business must be a sole proprietorship or a corporation where the student is the majority shareholder.
The centre says Ontario Works or ODSP recipients may apply, and program payments may not affect monthly benefits.
The schedule on the page (May 15 deadline, June orientation) has no year, so check the dates again once 2027 applications open.
The page doesn't say how or when the grant is paid out.
Ontario's program page gives a 12 hour a week limit on other work or school, while the centre's page says 20. Ask the centre which applies.
Questions
When can I apply for summer 2027?
The centre says 2027 Summer Company applications open March 1, 2027.
Can I apply if I already started my business?
The page says you must not already be running a business, and describes that as a business running less than one year. Ask the centre if your business has already started.
How many hours do I have to put in?
An average of 35 hours a week. Post-secondary students need at least 12 weeks and high school students at least 8 weeks.
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