Summer Company DEADLINE: May 23, 2014

BAC member Camille Lauren-Gordon, pictured below, was one of Summer Company 2013's participants with her business Art of Ciel.

The Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Employment, through its continuing Youth Entrepreneurship Strategy, has announced the fourteenth year for Summer Company, a student entrepreneurship experience that will provide hands-on business training, mentoring – and awards of up to $3000 – to help enterprising young people start and run their own summer businesses.  It’s a great opportunity for students ages 15-29 to develop entrepreneurial skills and build the experience that comes with running a small business.

Over the last thirteen years, SBEC and its team of volunteer mentors have worked with more than 100 winners of the Summer Company program.  These students experienced the challenges and thrills of small business ownership.  This is year, SBEC is again looking forward to offering awards to creative and hard-working young people.  The program is open to secondary school, college and university students who are returning to school in the fall of 2014.

Students are encouraged to operate simple sole proprietorships, which focus on a service offering or a single product.  The application process includes writing a business plan – a challenge even for the seasoned businessperson. 

For Eligibility, Guidelines and an Application, visit www.ontario.ca/summercompany