Through the Summer Company program, the students access training, mentorship, and funding
Kingston, Ontario – May 21, 2025 – Kingston Economic Development is proud to announce that 13 ambitious student entrepreneurs have been selected for this year’s Summer Company program and have begun their business bootcamp. 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 funding to launch and operate their own summer businesses.
The participants of the program are taking part in a comprehensive business bootcamp, covering crucial topics such as market research, financial management, marketing strategies, and business planning. Through these intensive sessions, the young entrepreneurs will acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully launch and manage their ventures throughout the summer months.
“Supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs through the Summer Company program continues to be incredibly rewarding,” says Norman Musengimana, Business Development Manager for Start-ups & Entrepreneurship at Kingston Economic Development. “This intensive program helps these young innovators explore entrepreneurship by providing them with the resources, mentorship, and funding needed to transform their creative ideas into viable businesses. Seeing their enthusiasm and watching them develop both personally and professionally as they build their ventures is what drives our commitment to fostering entrepreneurial talent in Kingston.”
The Summer Company program provides participants with personalized training and $3,000 in start-up funding to help launch their businesses. Following their training, participants will be matched with experienced business mentors who will provide ongoing guidance throughout the summer as they navigate the challenges of running their enterprises.
“The program showed me what I can do with a business, what a path this kind of work can be and where it can take me,” says Caiden Chase, founder of GearGlow Details and 2024 Summer Company participant. “I learned a lot on the business side too, with marketing and figuring out who to target. I did so much more than I expected to.”
Among this year’s cohort are the founders of Lawtonica –Zain Al Sudani, Yafet Beyene, Ethan Stassen, and Walelign Sumoro– winners of the Public Sector Innovation Prize at the Mayor’s Innovation Challenge (MIC), who will be participating in the program as part of their prize package. Their inclusion highlights the interconnected nature of Kingston’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and the various pathways available to young innovators in the community.
“I’m so excited to join this program and learn from real entrepreneurs,” says Olivia Samis, founder of TrendAll and 2025 participant. ” Having a mentor and training will help me turn my business ideas into something real. I can’t wait to build my skills, meet other young creators, and take the next step toward being my own boss!”
To learn more about the 2025 Summer Company participants and their ventures, visit www.investkingston.ca/summercompany.
Meet the 2025 Summer Company participants:
Rachel Neumann, ActualCare
Queen’s University student Rachel Neumann launched ActualCare, an online platform helping those seeking care navigate the right mental health support for them. ActualCare helps therapists fill caseloads while improving mental health accessibility for clients. It’s designed to prioritize continuity, customization, and community support in a growing digital care market.
Kerelos Gayed, AeroMaps
Through AeroMaps, high school student Kerelos Gayed offers drone-based imaging, 3D mapping, and cinematic edits for real estate, land surveying, event production, and promotional content for businesses. Designed to serve the Kingston area and beyond, AeroMaps blends artistry with technical skill to create impactful visual content that supports smarter marketing and site planning.
Jermyl Allen Acuzar, Alpha AI
Alpha AI, co-founded by Queen’s University student Jermyl Allen Acuzar, uses real-time data and AI to create personalized training plans for athletes. Designed for under-resourced schools and sports teams, Alpha combines injury prevention, performance tracking, and coach dashboards to make elite-level support accessible to all.
Afham Awsaf, Amongoose BS
Amongoose BS, created by Kingston-based student Afham Awsaf, is a Brawl Stars content brand focused on gameplay, tutorials, and community-driven videos. Through TikTok, livestreams, and YouTube Shorts, Afham entertains and educates mobile gamers while building a loyal online following. His goal is to become a top Canadian creator in the space, leveraging monetization tools and brand partnerships to grow a sustainable digital business.
Shivansh Rathod, AstroBnB
AstroBnB, founded by Shivansh Rathod, provides full-service property management for short-term rental hosts across Canada. From dynamic pricing and cleaning to guest communication, listing optimization, and data visualization through photoshoots, AstroBnB helps busy hosts boost revenue while delivering a seamless experience to visitors, without upfront costs.
Laurence Miller, CircuitSpark Crates
CircuitSpark Crates, launched by high school students Laurence Miller and Cléo Collins, delivers do-it-yourself electronics kits that make STEM learning fun and accessible. Each kit includes components and online support, targeting youth, educators, and hobbyists. The business encourages hands-on exploration and plans to expand with monthly subscription crates and interactive learning platforms.
Bryson McCormick, Clearview Window and Exterior Cleaning
Kingston student Bryson McCormick founded Clearview Window and Exterior Cleaning to offer top-tier window, gutter, and exterior cleaning. Focused on quality, reliability, and eco-conscious methods, Clearview serves both homes and commercial properties. Bryson aims to expand his client base by consistently delivering excellent service and fostering lasting relationships.
Sofia Nicolescu, Creative Covers
Creative Covers, run by Kingston visual artist Sofia Nicolescu, brings literature to life through hand-illustrated book jackets and covers. Designed to appeal to local readers, authors, and gift buyers, each piece pairs protection with artistic flair. Sofia’s designs dress books with a gallery-worthy presence on shelves while offering unique, personalized visuals grounded in her love of storytelling and fine art.
Lawtonica
Created by Queen’s University students Walelign Sumoro, Ethan Stassen, Yafet Beyene, and Zain Al Sudani, Lawtonica tackles confusing municipal bylaws with a modular, AI-driven chatbot and website. Designed to serve Kingston residents, newcomers, and business owners, Lawtonica brings transparency and accessibility to local regulation, modernizing civic engagement through technology.
Jialin Luo, Linko
Queen’s University student Jialin Luo channels her digital artistry into Linko, a Kingston-based brand celebrating East-Asian culture and internet fandoms. Her products —stickers, tote bags, apparel, and prints— feature original illustrations and are sold online and at local events. Linko connects with the Gen Z market through vibrant, culturally resonant art, offering Kingston youth expressive merchandise that feels both personal and globally inspired.
Owen Maclennan, Protoform Designs
McMaster University engineering student Owen Maclennan is the creative force behind Protoform Designs, a venture crafting high-quality 3D-printed art and collectibles. From iconic car models to cityscapes and game props, Owen’s work merges digital modeling and artisanal techniques to serve car enthusiasts, gamers, and collectors seeking unique, limited-run art pieces.
Olivia Samis, TrendAll
At just 15, developer Olivia Samis is pioneering predictive content technology through her venture TrendAll. This AI-powered platform analyzes social media data to forecast video performance, helping creators craft viral content. With real-time insights and campaign simulation tools, TrendAll positions itself as an essential asset for influencers and marketers alike.
Amir Bagherian, WelliTales
Queen’s University students Amir Bagherian and Xin Li co-founded WelliTales, a children’s publishing company combining health education with imaginative storytelling. Through illustrated books featuring animal characters, WelliTales teaches concepts like nutrition and hygiene. The business follows a dual-impact model, selling retail copies while donating others to local schools and non-profit organizations.
Media Contact:
Daniel Solorio
Marketing & Communications Manager
Kingston Economic Development Corporation
613-329-9270
solorio@investkingston.ca
