Summer Company gives the next generation of entrepreneurs the skills, guidance, and funding to launch their ventures
Kingston, Ontario – May 14, 2026 – Kingston Economic Development is proud to announce that 12 student entrepreneurs have been selected for the 2026 Summer Company program, launching 12 new ventures across Kingston. Funded by the Government of Ontario and delivered by Kingston Economic Development, the program empowers young entrepreneurs aged 15 to 29 with essential business training, mentorship, and start-up funding to launch and operate their own summer businesses.
The participants are currently taking part in a comprehensive weeklong business bootcamp covering key topics such as market research, financial management, marketing strategies, and business planning. Through these intensive sessions, the young entrepreneurs will gain the skills and knowledge needed to successfully launch and manage their ventures over the coming months.
“Summer Company is about more than launching a business, it’s about giving young entrepreneurs the confidence, mentorship and hands-on experience to turn ideas into opportunity. Programs like this help cultivate the next generation of innovators and community builders, while strengthening the future of our local economy. We are proud to support ambitious young people as they take the first steps in their entrepreneurial journey,” says Donna Gillespie, CEO of Kingston Economic Development Corporation. “We thank the Province of Ontario for their continuous investment on Kingston’s future business leaders.”
The Summer Company program provides participants with personalized training through an intensive business bootcamp, followed by one-on-one mentorship from experienced local business leaders throughout the summer. Participants also receive up to $3,000 in start-up funding to help get their ventures off the ground.
“Being part of Summer Company 2023 gave me the opportunity to build practical business experience early, while connecting with an incredible community of young entrepreneurs,” says Josh Bowry, Economic Development Intern, Youth Programs. “Helping to coordinate the delivery this year and seeing a new group of young business owners take that same first step is something I’m genuinely excited about.”
Among this year’s cohort are Alex Afrouz, Kamran Asim, and Hussain Al Moman, the founding team behind Brightsight and winners of the Mayor’s Innovation Challenge (MIC), who are joining Summer Company as part of their prize package. Brightsight, a student-run initiative that partners with local clinics and shelters to connect underserved youth aged 0 to 19 with eye care services covered by OHIP and covers the cost of prescription glasses for those who need them. Their inclusion highlights the growing interconnection between Kingston’s entrepreneurial programs and the many pathways available to young innovators across the city.
“I feel I have the technical side all figured out,” says Matthew Hayes, founder of Accendo CNC and 2026 Summer Company participant. “I’m really excited about the bootcamp and learning the business side of things.”
To learn more about the 2026 Summer Company participants and their ventures, visit investkingston.ca/summercompany
Meet the 2026 Summer Company participants:
Farhaan Ali, Pinpoint
Queen’s University third-year student Farhaan Ali and Ontario Tech University student Madhav Patel are co-founders of Pinpoint, a map-first student housing platform that consolidates listings from Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji into one searchable interface. With AI-powered tools for finding homes and roommates, built-in verification, and a dedicated landlord dashboard, Pinpoint bridges the gap between student-friendly discovery and trustworthy, platform-grade reliability. The product is already live at usepinpoint.ca, and the team previously won QHacks and the Mayor’s Innovation Challenge.
Liam Augustine, Campus Scapes
Carleton University second-year student Liam Augustine is operating Campus Scapes, a residential lawn care business offering weekly cuts, trimming, edging, and seasonal cleanups across Kingston. With his own equipment and vehicle ready to go, Liam is focused on building a loyal route of repeat clients throughout the summer.
Masa Chau, Protoino
University of Toronto first-year student Masa Chau builds Arduino engineering kits for elementary and high school students through Protoino. Rather than conventional step-by-step tutorials, each kit is built around real engineering challenges — environmental monitoring, motor control, and assistive technology — leaving intentional room for students to make meaningful design decisions of their own.
Sara Cordoba, La Colombiana
Queen’s University second-year Engineering student Sara Cordoba is bringing Colombian street food to Kingston through La Colombiana. Drawing on her family’s recipes for empanadas, arepas, and papas rellenas, Sara is building partnerships with OLAS and QSALSA to serve Kingston’s vibrant student community with an authentic culinary experience.
Stella Cribar, Marni By Stella
Queen’s University third-year student Stella Cribar designs handmade, customizable women’s tops through Marni By Stella, addressing a fit challenge that mass-market apparel routinely overlooks. Offering separate cup-size options, Stella gives clients the fit they actually want without the commitment of full custom measurements.
Chioma Egbunonu, Chylitics Solutions
Regiopolis-Notre Dame Grade 10 student Chioma Egbunonu is launching Chylitics Solutions, a B2B data service that transforms small retailers’ sales figures into daily action plans for reducing stagnant inventory. Her Inventory Velocity Framework charges clients a share of the savings she delivers — so they only pay when results follow.
Darren Fernandes, Senior Tech Support
Holy Cross Grade 11 student Darren Fernandes is bringing in-person technology tutoring to seniors across Kingston. Working in small groups within community spaces and retirement homes, Darren guides participants through their smartphones, tablets, and laptops, then provides each attendee with a printed reference guide tailored to that day’s session.
Matthew Hayes, Accendo CNC
Queen’s University third-year student Matthew Hayes fabricates Texas-style wood-fired offset smokers alongside CNC plasma-cut artwork, signage, and fireplace rings through Accendo CNC. Having already sold two smokers and shown his work at local markets, Matthew brings real customers and tangible momentum into the program.
Jeffery Hoekstra, WearYourTown
St. Lawrence College student Jeffery Hoekstra is building WearYourTown, an apparel brand celebrating civic pride — starting in Kingston and designed to expand to other Canadian cities. Jeffery collaborates with local artists on seasonal collections and uses a print-on-demand model to keep costs lean, driving discovery through TikTok, Instagram, and SEO.
Carter House, ClearCap
Frontenac Secondary School student Carter House is developing ClearCap, a medication organizer designed for seniors and people living with dementia. The device features easy-open drawers and a built-in calendar tracker that lets users and their families see at a glance whether daily doses have been taken — a practical, dignified solution to one of the most consequential routines for older adults.
Matthieu Roberge, Music With Matt
École secondaire catholique Marie-Rivier Grade 10 student Matthieu Roberge offers bilingual mobile piano lessons for children aged 5 to 12 across Kingston East through Music With Matt. Certified to RCM Level 5 and playing since age five, Matthieu brings lessons directly to families’ homes in both English and French, and also offers parent-and-tot classes and musical party activities.
Gillian Zhang, Inspirie
Kingston Secondary Grade 10 student Gillian Zhang runs Inspirie, a creative agency offering website design, brand identity, and social media management for small Kingston businesses at accessible price points. From logos and colour palettes to typography and content, Gillian helps local entrepreneurs present themselves with the polish of much larger organizations.
Media Contacts:
Daniel Solorio
Marketing & Communications Manager
Kingston Economic Development Corporation
613-329-9270
solorio@investkingston.ca
