Summer program offers GTA youth up to $3K to start businesses.
Start your journey to entrepreneurship, with the Summer Start-up Business Program.
Young people in the GTA can apply for the which offers training, mentorship and up to $3,000 to start a business. Youth Employment Services (YES) runs the program from June 15 to Aug. 21, 2026.
The deadline to apply is May 22 at 5 p.m.
The program is open to students aged 16 to 29 who are returning to school in September. Participants must commit at least 30 hours per week.
The grant is split into two payments of $1,500. The first must be used for business expenses. The second allows more flexibility.
Participants must submit a business plan and budget. They receive one-on-one support from business consultants. They learn business planning, branding, marketing and financial management.
“Entrepreneurship is super important because it helps create job creators and the vibrant future, and it helps people build skills, whether you’re going to use that in your career or build a business and be innovative … it’s always important to have an entrepreneurship kind of promotion, especially among young people … And we also do inspiration from Summer Company, which is a government run program,” said Sepo Achampong, program co-ordinator with YES.
The program is designed for short-term business ideas. These include service-based, creative or hands-on work such as landscaping, trades or small ventures.
Participants may close their business after the summer or continue part-time during school.
If a business idea does not work, participants receive support through mentoring sessions to adjust their plans.
“The main thing isn’t necessarily revenue. The main thing basically made is the business entrepreneurship experience,” said Achampong.
Participants work independently. They submit weekly progress reports.
At the end of the program, participants take part in a site visit. They present their business in a trade show-style setting.
After the program, participants can continue to access YES resources. These include training, business templates and career support.
“When it comes to business entrepreneurship, this is great for young people to get some experience, and hopefully becomes a lifelong part of the way they think and approach life, whether that’s your career or whether that’s in business, or both … it helps them get an edge, because it helps them to be self starter self motivated and leaders, and so it’s a way of building leadership as well,” said Achampong.
The program is mainly open to domestic students. International students may also be eligible with proper documentation.
YES also offers other entrepreneurship programs. These include Ask a Business Consultant, Passion for Fashion and BizStart Entrepreneurship.
For registration and more information visit https://yesnet.yes.on.ca/entrepreneurship.
