Youth/Student Programs

The WindsorEssex Small Business Centre offers a variety of resources and programs to promote entrepreneurship as a viable career option and is committed to supporting the entrepreneurial spirit and skills of students and young adults through initiatives such as:

• Summer Company
• High School Business Plan Competition
• Canadian Youth Business Foundation

Summer Company

Create your own summer job, get hands-on business training, and up to $3,000 in awards!

Summer Company is a great opportunity for enterprising young people who want to start and run their own small business. The program provides full time students ages 15-29 with an exciting opportunity to explore entrepreneurship hands on.

Summer Company offers:

• Limited number of awards of up to $3,000 to start up and operate a business
• Hands on business coaching/mentoring
• Business training on subjects relevant to small business entrepreneurs

Applying for Summer Company is a competitive process. Space is limited and the program reaches capacity quickly - apply early! Summer Company is administered by the WindsorEssex Small Business Centre in partnership with the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.

Important Links:

• Learn more about the Summer Company program.
• Check your eligibility and apply online.
• Review program guidelines.
• Summer Company success stories.
• Summer Company yearbooks.

High School Business Plan Competition

Showcase your entrepreneurial spirit and put your business plan to the test!

The WindsorEssex Small Business Centre in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services are providing an opportunity for high school students to showcase and celebrate their entrepreneurial spirit. If you have a great idea for a new business, here is your chance to put it to the test.

Enter the High School Business Plan Competition and learn valuable business skills and a chance to win cash and prizes. The top business plan writers will be invited to an awards ceremony and the winner of our local competition will become a finalist in the Western Ontario regional competition. The winner of each region will then compete for a placement at the provincial level.

Regional winners are presented with bursaries of up to $1000 and provincial winners with bursaries of up to $1500. All finalists are honoured at an annual awards banquet where the regional and provincial winners are announced.

Our Centre's resources and advisors are available to assist you in creating your business plan and enhancing your business planning skills.

Special thanks to our local major sponsors of the High School Business Plan Competition:

Canadian Youth Business Foundation

Turn you great business idea into a successful business!

The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) is a national charitable not-for-profit organization that provides start-up financing up to $15,000, mentoring and educational resources that empower young Canadians 18-34 to start and grow businesses.

For more information:
Contact Allan Simm at asimm@cybf.ca
or visit www.cybf.ca

Teachers

Click here to book a classroom presentation for your students on these programs or on an entrepreneurial topic you feel would compliment your curriculum.