2025 Summer Company Students: Teagan Hartnett, Neha Mervin, Bisma Razaque, Allison Adam (Entrepreneurship Officer, Community Futures Peterborough) Haydon Meade and Spencer Toth
Applications are now open for the 2026 Summer Company Program, giving students in the City of Peterborough and Peterborough County the chance to start and run their own business this summer.
Funded by the Province of Ontario through the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade’s Small Business Enterprise Centre program, Summer Company provides eligible students with start-up funding, business training, and one-on-one mentorship. The program is delivered locally by Community Futures Peterborough through its Business Advisory Centre.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our community, and the Summer Company Program is a fantastic way to inspire the next generation of innovators right here in Peterborough,” said Dave Smith, MPP for Peterborough-Kawartha. “By providing young entrepreneurs with the right tools, mentorship, and financial support, we are helping them turn their creative ideas into reality while building the vital skills they need for future success in Ontario’s economy.”
Students aged 15 to 29 who are returning to school in September 2026 are eligible to apply. Successful applicants can receive up to $3,000 in grant funding, along with cohort-based training and individualized mentorship while they launch and operate their business over the summer.
“Summer Company is designed to give students a chance to explore entrepreneurship in a supportive, low-risk environment,” said Allison Adam, Entrepreneurship Officer at Community Futures Peterborough. “Many students don’t come in with a fully formed business idea, and that’s okay. What matters most is curiosity and a willingness to try.”
Past Summer Company businesses in the region have included lawn care, window cleaning, farm help, swimming and dance lessons, clothing brands, and other service- and product-based ventures.
“Our community continues to show strong demand for entrepreneurship services,” said Devon Girard, Executive Director of Community Futures Peterborough. “The Summer Company Program is designed to spark the idea of entrepreneurship amongst our youth and introduce them to the strong ecosystem we have to support their small business journey.”
Participants will learn skills such as business planning, marketing, budgeting, and cash flow management through a mix of cohort sessions and one-on-one coaching.
Applications are available online at cfpeterborough.ca/summercompany. The program is competitive and spaces are limited. Applicants are encouraged to apply early.
