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Summer Company Program

Be Your Own Boss!

About the Summer Company Program

The Summer Company program is an entrepreneurship program for students ages 15 to 29 that provides funding up to $3,000 as well as hands-on training and mentoring to start and run a company over the summer.

"After being in the Summer Company program, we definitely see entrepreneurship as a career choice. [Through the program] we were able to see such a variety of business owners, passions, skills and talents. The Summer Company program, alongside YSpace, has truly shown us that with such an amazing community supporting you, anything is possible." — Ashley Man, Co-founder of Trophy Wives (Summer Company 2021)

Eligibility

Go to high school, college or university
Live in Markham, Ontario
Are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Are 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
Are returning to school after the program ends
Following the Canada Revenue Agency definition of being self-employed
Are not working at another job or going to school for more than 12 hours a week during the program
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

We may approve exceptions.

You must meet all of the above requirements.

You cannot apply again, if you have received a Summer Company grant in the past.

How to Apply

Review the eligibility checklist and program guidelines for the program.
Complete a business plan [PDF] and cash flow statement [DOC] for your company using the templates. You can download the templates on google drive HERE.
Name your respective files as "FirstName_LastName_BusinessPlan" and "FirstName_LastName_CashFlowStatement" and save both as PDFs
Fill in the online application and upload your business plan and cash flow statement.
Once we receive your application, we will review your application and work with you on your business plan and cash flow to ensure your success.
For qualified applicants, we will invite you for a final stage interview.
We will let you know if you qualify for the Summer Company grant funding.

Spots are limited. Apply early!

APPLY HERE

Applications for 2023 are now open. Apply before April 30th, 2023.

Please note that only applications submitted through our online application form will be accepted. Please do not apply using the Province of Ontario's Summer Company login system.

For any questions please e-mail msbc@markham.ca or call 905.477.7000 x 6722.

Meet our 2022 Summer Company participants

Ali is a grade 10 Markham student attending Pierre Elliot Trudeau High School who has a passion for entrepreneurship having run two businesses before. This time around, Ali’s business, Styl will be focusing on offering customers both customizable and unique phone cases at an affordable price through. Order a case at https://stylcase.com/

Ariana is a grade 10 Markham student attending Father Michael McGivney Catholic Academy. Her company, Apt Admin Assist will offer small business owners administrative and officer services, helping with tasks such as data entry, monitoring email inboxes, phone calls, filing and organizing, and much more. See how you can get help with you admin needs here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082983109386

Aricia is a grade 10 Markham student attending St. Robert Catholic High School. Her company, Green Tea Press will make convenient, affordable, eco-friendly notebooks made from recycled paper, cartridge-free ink, and cellulose that will feature unique designs such as fun facts and memes. Find out how you can get one here: https://www.instagram.com/greenteapress/

Cheryl is a grade 12 Markham student attending Unionville High School. Her company, Cheri Jewels, will sell customizable jewelry pieces that combine style, elegance, and comfort to be personalized for any occasion. Products will range between include rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and ear cuffs.

Jessica is a Markham resident completing her second year of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Guelph. Through her company, omochu.studios, Jessica repurposes old yarn and textile material from thrift stores to create handmade crochet items such as flowers, bouquets, and rugs. Her products can be found at local art markets as part of the company’s commitment to the environment.

Lily is a grade 12 Markham student attending Markham District High School. This summer, she is offering affordable backyard swimming lessons with her company Fins Up! Backyard Swim School. Book a lesson at https://m.facebook.com/FinsUpSwimming/

Rayhan is a grade 10 Markham student attending St. Augustine Catholic Secondary School. Though his company, AA-Fitness, he seeks to provide accessible and affordable athletic equipment for those looking to get into fitness or a healthy lifestyle.

Ritik is a grade 11 Markham student attending Middlefield Collegiate Institute. Ritik’s business, Quick Fix Lawn Care, will offer lawn maintenance and landscaping services to those in his neighbourhood. His services will include lawn mowing, mulching, raking, and general cleaning up.

Thivya is a grade 9 Markham student attending Father Michael McGivney Catholic Academy. Having won a business competition in the past with a business idea, this summer, Thivya’s The Music Magnet is a company that will strive to provide affordable online music lessons taught by high school students across the summer.

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.

Businesses Not Eligible for Funding

These types of businesses are not eligible for funding:

Partnerships/co-operatives
Franchises
Distributorships
Incorporated businesses that are controlled directly or indirectly by a person who would not be eligible for a Summer Company award
Business ventures that are subsidiaries or divisions of an existing business
Business ventures that are continuations of existing commercial endeavours
Commissioned sales
Multi-level marketing ventures
Single events such as a theatrical production, a DJ gig, a music concert, a dance/party event, a fundraiser, a sporting tournament, etc.
Businesses that are strictly pay per click
1-900 businesses

Conditions

The program gives students the full experience of running their own business. Note that:

The program provider may, at its discretion, determine that a particular business is ineligible for the Summer Company program
Online businesses are acceptable, but there must be face-to-face opportunities to market and sell your product
App and tech businesses must be market ready and must generate sales by the end of the summer
If you plan to run a business that requires certification, you’ll need to show proof to your program provider. If you’re unsure about certification obligations, ask your program provider. Certification examples include:
- Food handling certification for businesses that produce and/or sell food
- National Life Saving certification for businesses that offer swimming lessons
- Canada Professional Fitness Certification (CanFitPro) for businesses that offer personal fitness training
- Licences for businesses that specialize in drone photography

Business Eligibility and Conditions

Requirements to Participate

Once approved, you’ll be required to:

Sign a Letter of Agreement with the program provider describing each party’s rights and responsibilities (a parent or guardian Must sign the agreement for applicants under 18)
Sign a Release and Consent form (a parent or guardian must sign the form for participants under 18)
Show your business name registration and any required licensing documents to your program provider for verification
Open and operate a bank account for the business
Spend your first payment within the first 30 days
Operate your business over the summer program period, according to your business plan and cash flow, for:
- a minimum of 280 hours if you are a high school student
- a minimum of 420 hours if you are a post-secondary student
Meet with your local program provider and mentors for a minimum of four meetings to review and track your progress
Agree to one site visit by the program provider
Maintain appropriate business records of income and expenditures including receipts
Participate in business training with your program provider

Requirements to Complete the Program

To receive the second payment (up to $1,500), you need to:

Meet your requirements to participate (listed above)
Participate in an exit interview at the end of the summer
Provide the following to your program provider for review, in a professional and business-like format:
- a cash flow record of your business operations
- copies of all your bank statements
- copies of all business receipts and invoices organized to show that you used the first payment for start-up costs
Submit a signed confirmation that you’re returning to school
Complete the anonymous online participant survey

If you don’t successfully complete the program, you will not receive the second payment and you may be asked to reimburse the first payment.

If you met all the requirements to complete the program, but did not spend the full first payment within 30 days, the difference will be deducted from your second payment.

Term of the Program

You may decide to start and/or continue your business while you’re in school, but for the purpose of the program’s administration, business operations can start no earlier than April 1 and must end by Labour Day. Grants will not be disbursed until early July.

Taxes

The award is taxable under the Canada and Ontario Income Tax Acts. A T4A slip will be issued to the recipient of the award.

Participation Requirements

Our Summer 2021 Participants:

Areej is a grade 11 student attending Middlefield Collegiate Institute offering custom-embroidered clothing and accessory items through her company Threaded x Apparel. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to a charity that champions ethical manufacturing practices. https://www.instagram.com/threadedxapparel/?hl=en
Ashley and Sanduli are Markham students attending the University of Waterloo and York University respectively, on a mission to empower young people and push the boundaries within the fashion industry through their Trophy Wives line of sustainable and ethical clothing. They aim to reclaim the term “trophy wife” by using it to highlight accomplishments of individuals and empower them by making them feel comfortable in their own skin. Check out their line of clothes at https://trophywives.ca/.
Ashlyn is a grade 11 Markham student attending Unionville High School who hopes to raise awareness of social issues and to share her faith through her handmade lettering company shoops & letters which offers both digital and print applications. Check out some of her lettering work on her Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/shoopsandletters
Dasola is a Markham resident currently completing her Master’s degree at the University of Malmo. Whether it’s a side hustle or full-out campaign, Daisy Dee Publicity leverages years of experience offering communications and public relations support to small and medium-sized businesses. Her portfolio and previous work can be see here https://dasola.myportfolio.com/.
Diya is a grade 9 Markham student attending Pierre Elliot Trudeau High school who aims to bridge the digital divide by offering affordable and engaging online piano lessons with her company Diya Sonic Sound Studio. See how you can book a lesson at https://sonicstudio.ca/.
Imran is a grade 10 Markham student attending Middlefield Collegiate Institute who was inspired to start Imran’s Lawn Care & Gardening Services as a way to give back to his community by providing affordable and quality lawn care and gardening services to homeowners. https://www.instagram.com/imrans_lawncare_and_gardening/
Khyara is a 4th-year student from Markham studying at York University whose company is redefining clothing and fashion by designing and custom-making her own line of lounge and intimate apparel that are ability-inclusive. Her clothing line, Maison Khy, can be found at https://maisonkhy.com/
Ryan is a 4th-year student from Markham studying at the University of Ottawa hoping to change the “thrifting” experience through his company Past Recollection by creating an online store for curated secondhand clothing for men with the goal of raising awareness for the potential of reusing and repurposing secondhand items. https://www.instagram.com/pastrecollection/

For any questions please e-mail msbc@markham.ca or call 905.477.7000 x 6722.

Past Summer Company Businesses

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