Summer Company 2026 Application

Please ensure you read the following information carefully and understand the program requirements and eligibility before submitting an application.

Please note Summer Company is a competitive process and not all applicants will be accepted into the program or approved for funding.

Program Description:

Summer Company provides students aged 15 to 29 the opportunity to start their own small business venture over the course of the summer. Students can earn $3,000 to assist with the start-up of their new business venture.

The $3,000 is provided in two parts. The first $1,500 comes in the form of start-up funding that can be used to purchase equipment, raw materials, marketing, etc. to start your business. Expenses must be approved by the Muskoka Small Business Centre after your acceptance to the program. Receipts for all purchases are required.

The second $1,500 will be provided in September after the student has completed all of the training, mentoring/coaching, attended in-person and virtual sessions and updates, submitted all receipts, and worked the required number of hours in the business, generating a revenue.

Through this program, you will:

Receive start-up money to kick-off a new summer business (up to $3000 in grant funding).
Operate your business full-time (35 hours/week) through the summer.
Work actively toward generating revenue.
Participate in mandatory training sessions (10-12 hours total throughout program) with the MSBC and/or guest speakers.
Work with the program providers to get the business up and running and receive guidance and support (6-8 hours total) throughout the summer.

You are eligible to apply if you:

Go to high school, college or university in Ontario
Are between 15 to 29 years old (if under 18: a parent or guardian must sign the agreement for the applicant)
Are returning to school in September after you complete the Summer Company.

We accept candidates in the order they are received. Apply early!

If you do need more time to fill it out or have questions, let us know by emailing admin@muskokasmallbusiness.ca

Detail in your answers is appreciated!

NOTABLE DATES

We accept candidates in the order they are received. Apply early!

Program Timeline

For high school students: The program will run from June to the end of August. Last day for applicationsis now April 30, 2026.

For college/university students: The program will run from mid-May to the end of August. Last day for applications: April 10, 2026 or until the program is full. **Please call - we may be able to fit you in if you have been running your business for at least a month.

*Sessions will include a mix of in-person and virtual formats.
*Exact dates for the mandatory training sessions can be provided upon request.

Name*

First NameLast Name

Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY)*

Date

Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Phone Number*

Please enter a valid phone number.

Email*

example@example.com

What school do you attend currently?*

What school will you be attending this Fall?*

What is your business idea? Please write at least ten sentences. *

Consider: Are you selling a product or service? Where do you plan to sell or operate? Who will be your customers? How will you make/provide this product or service? How will they pay? Etc.

Who are your business competitors? Please write at least a couple of sentences about each of them.*

Note: All businesses have competitors! Do some research to find out who else is already doing something very similar to what you plan on doing for people. This will help you differentiate your product or service so that customers choose you.

Create a Start-Up Budget for your business using the table below.

You will need a few things to open your business. Examples of start-up costs to research and consider include:

Initial advertising and marketing
Bank fees and licenses
Tools or Equipment Expenses
Insurance Expenses
Supplies
Inventory
Packaging, Labeling
Market Fees
Signage or Displays
Software (Office, Bookkeeping, etc,)
Hardware/Technology
Website Fees
Whatever else you think you need to start!

Start-Up Budget (You do not need to fill in all rows, but make sure you include a total at the bottom. Ensure it totals to at least $1,500).*

	Start-Up Expense	Cost (Projected)
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TOTAL

If you require more funds than the $1500 grant to start your business, please use the following space to explain where the additional funds will come from.

Detail the revenue you hope to achieve over the course of the summer. FOR EXAMPLE: "I predict that each month, I will have about five cake orders which will total to about $175. I will also have five cupcake orders which will total to $150, and ten cake pop orders which will total to $400. This would be a total revenue of $725 per month."*

Detail the on-going expenses you may have (AFTER your start-up expenses). FOR EXAMPLE: "Even after my start-up expenses, I predict that each month, I will likely need about $160 for gas for deliveries, $200 for advertising, $150 to re-order ingredients, and potentially $50 to re-order packaging."*

How did you hear about this program?

Signature*

Date of Signature*

Date

Summer Company Application 2026