Ontario students, would you like to start a summer company? Right now, you can apply to get up to $3,000 of free grant money and advice on running your summer business in Ontario! The application deadline is May 23, 2014.
Through a program called Summer Company, you can get two things:
- Start-up grant money to kick-off a new summer business
- Advice and mentor ship from local business leaders to help get the business up and running
Learning how to run your own student business is one of the best summer jobs you can have. You get to be your own boss while learning what it takes to manage a business. Sales, marketing, invoicing, bookkeeping, customer relationship, management – these are just a few of the highly useful skills you will develop.
You could be eligible, if you:
- Attend high school, college, or university in Ontario
- Live in Ontario
- Are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Are between 15-29 years old (if you’re under 18, your parent or guardian needs to sign the application)
- Are not already running a business
- Are not working more than 12 hours week at another job during the program
- Are returning to school after the program ends
You cannot apply again, if you have received a Summer Company grant in the past.
You can receive up to $1,500 grant funding upfront to help with your start-up costs, plus up to $1,500 when you successfully complete the program requirements, for a total of $3,000 of business grants.
The start date is usually June or July. The end date is Labour Day, but you can choose to keep running your summer business while you’re in school.
Here your part. You must be prepared to commit:
- An average of 35 hours per week
- A minimum of 8 weeks in a row for high school students
- A minimum of 12 weeks in a row for post-secondary students
You can choose to start almost any type of business, as long as it:
- Is a sole proprietorship or corporation (where you are the majority shareholder)
- Is an independent business venture (not a part of an existing or family business)
- Qualifies as “self-employed” for income tax purposes
- Operates in Ontario on a full-time basis
- Keeps its own books and records (for accounting/financial reporting purposes)
- Maintains a separate business bank account
- Follows government rules for operating a business
They are now accepting applications, so don’t delay! To apply for 2014:
- Check to see if you are eligible for the program
- Contact a local program provider – a resource centre with a business consultant on hand to assist with business planning, support, and guidance throughout the application process
- Fill out a short application
You can even check your eligibility and apply right now. Go to:
http://www.ontario.ca/business-and-economy/start-summer-business-students
You’ll hear a decision on your business grant application in 15 days. Best of success to you with getting a sweet $3,000 business grant and developing your entrepreneurial skills!