Program offers Kingston students training, mentorship, and funding to launch summer businesses

Kingston, Ontario – January 19, 2026 – Kingston Economic Development is now accepting applications for the 2026 Summer Company program, inviting students aged 15 to 29 to transform their entrepreneurial ideas into operating businesses this summer. Delivered by Kingston Economic Development and funded by the Government of Ontario, the program equips aspiring young entrepreneurs with essential training, mentorship, and financial support to launch and manage their ventures. With 12 new businesses emerging from last year’s successful cohort, the program continues to empower students to transform their entrepreneurial vision into viable ventures.

“Summer Company unlocks Kingston’s entrepreneurial potential by giving students an opportunity to do something different,” says Norman Musengimana, Business Development Manager, Start-ups & Entrepreneurship, at Kingston Economic Development. “We provide the training, mentorship, and resources to experience entrepreneurship. The real reward is witnessing that sense of accomplishment when they realize they’ve built something they didn’t know they were capable of. We are also proud to participate again in the Mayor’s Innovation Challenge and to welcome its winning team into the Summer Company program, as a pitch award to receive business bootcamp training and mentorship.”

The program was established by the province in 2001 to foster youth entrepreneurship. In the last 11 years, the Summer Company program has helped launch 162 new businesses in Kingston and provided $484,500 in startup funding. It combines essential business training through an intensive business boot camp, personalized mentorship from local business leaders, and up to $3,000 to help participants transform their innovative ideas into thriving summer businesses.

“Running my business with Summer Company gave me the confidence I needed to start this kind of work, and in teaching, how you need to portray that confidence,” says Kaie Bain, Backyard Swimming with Kaie and 2024 Summer Company participant. “Summer Company showed me how to portray my company and my experience as well as my confidence.”

Applications for Summer Company 2026 are now open, with an application deadline of April 24, 2026. Students interested in exploring entrepreneurship and starting their own businesses are encouraged to apply.

For more information about the program, requirements, and how to apply, visit investkingston.ca/summercompany

Media Contacts:
Daniel Solorio
Marketing & Communications Manager
Kingston Economic Development Corporation
613-329-9270