Summer Company program opens for Sarnia-Lambton student entrepreneurs

The 2026 Summer Company program is now accepting applications from Sarnia-Lambton students, offering $3,000 grants and professional mentorship to help local youth launch their own summer businesses.

Young residents in Sarnia-Lambton looking to trade a traditional summer job for a seat at the head of the boardroom table can now apply for the 2026 Summer Company program. This initiative, delivered locally by the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP) through its Business Enterprise Centre, offers students the chance to launch and operate their own businesses with the help of a $3,000 provincial grant.

Creating a pathway for local youth

While many summer roles involve working within existing systems, Summer Company aims to give students the autonomy to build their own. The program provides hands-on entrepreneurial experience, training, and mentorship to help bridge the gap between a business idea and a functional, local operation. It targets students between the ages of 15 and 29 who are returning to school in the fall.

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be between the ages of 15 and 29.
• Reside in Lambton County.
• Be returning to school in the fall.
• Commit to running their business full-time during the program period.

Local success stories

The program has a track record of fostering businesses that continue to serve the Sarnia-Lambton community long after the summer ends. Past participants highlight how the structured support and one-on-one advising creates a catalyst for growth.

Autumn Murphy, whose business nails_by_murph continues to operate today, said the experience helped her understand the realities of entrepreneurship. "It really helped me learn about the business side of owning a [nail] business," she said. "The workshops on finance, marketing, and branding prepared me, and the regular check-ins keep me on track".

Mustafa Arif, founder of AlphaWave AI, said the program helped him move forward faster than he could have on his own. "The grant allowed me to invest in software and marketing that would have been out of reach and connect with people who could guide my business," Arif said.

How to apply

The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership is accepting applications starting February 2, 2026, with an early bird deadline of March 23, 2026. Grants are awarded on a rolling basis until all available funding has been allocated.

The Business Enterprise Centre is offering online information sessions to guide prospective entrepreneurs through the application process:

• Wednesday, February 4, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m..
• Monday, February 9, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m..

Students interested in the program can book a free consultation or find more details by visiting sarnialambton.on.ca/summercompany .