Youth entrepreneur grants in Ontario — see which you qualify for
Answer a few quick questions and watch the map narrow to the ones your Ontario business can actually get — free, no account.
Available Programs (13)
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to 100% wage subsidy (minimum wage)
Provides wage subsidies to help Ontario employers create summer job opportunities for youth (students aged 15–30) returning to school in the fall. Non-profit employers can receive 100% of the minimum hourly wage; small businesses and public-sector employers receive 50%.
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $25,000
Helps Ontario employers create quality work experiences for youth facing barriers to employment, including wage support and training costs. Applied through program delivery organizations in Ontario.
Organization: Futurpreneur Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $75,000 (loan + BDC co-loan)
Provides startup financing of up to $25,000 plus a BDC co-loan of up to $50,000 for Canadian entrepreneurs aged 18–39. Includes up to two years of structured mentorship from an experienced business professional. Ontario is the most active province for Futurpreneur applications.
Status: Closed as of June 26, 2026; no 2026-27 intake had been announced.
Organization: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $15,000 per intern (wage subsidy)
Provides wage subsidies for Ontario employers who hire underemployed post-secondary graduates (under 30) into digital internships. The intern gains real-world digital skills; the employer covers only a portion of wages. Delivered through intermediary organizations.
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $5,000 per placement
Supports work-integrated learning for post-secondary students by providing wage subsidies to Ontario employers who create co-op placements in STEM and business fields. Delivered through recognized post-secondary institutions and partner organizations.
Organization: Mitacs
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $15,000 per internship (matched)
Connects Ontario companies with graduate students and postdoctoral fellows for R&D internships. Mitacs and the employer share costs equally, making high-calibre research talent accessible to SMEs. Strong presence in Ontario's Toronto-Waterloo corridor.
Organization: Government of Ontario (via SBECs)
Level: provincial
Amount: Up to $5,000
Ontario's Small Business Enterprise Centres (SBECs) deliver this provincial micro-grant for new and early-stage entrepreneurs. No age requirement — open to any age. Includes business training and mentorship. Find your nearest SBEC at ontario.ca/sbec.
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $5 million (organization level)
Supports training and skills development for green economy jobs, with a strong emphasis on creating opportunities for youth and equity-deserving groups in clean technology and environmental sectors in Ontario.
Organization: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $200,000 per year (50% of costs)
Supports under-represented groups in agriculture — including youth — to develop skills, gain knowledge, and grow their businesses. Relevant to Ontario youth pursuing careers in farming, agri-food, and food processing.
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $5 million (organization level)
Funds organizations to deliver foundational and transferable skills training (literacy, numeracy, digital literacy, communication) for Canadians — including youth entering the workforce for the first time in Ontario.
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Supports skills development and employment training for Indigenous youth and adults through funding agreements with Indigenous service delivery organizations across Ontario. Includes culturally appropriate training pathways.
Organization: Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund
Level: private
Amount: Up to $99,999 (individuals)
Provides non-repayable contributions and loans to Indigenous entrepreneurs in Northern Ontario — including young founders — for start-up, expansion, marketing, and technology adoption. Strong support for First Nations and Metis youth entrepreneurs.
Organization: City of Ottawa
Level: municipal
Amount: $5,000 – $50,000
Supports Ottawa-area non-profits running projects that help youth, newcomers, and persons with disabilities overcome barriers to employment and entrepreneurship. Relevant to youth-serving organizations in the Ottawa region.
Youth grants in Ontario: which ones are for you?
A youth grant is funding whose rules turn on the age of one person: the founder who owns the business, or the young person you hire.
Most youth programs here stop at 29 or 30. Futurpreneur goes to 39.
For young founders
- Summer CompanyBetween intakesGrant, up to $3,000Ages 15 to 29, back in school in the fall. 2027 dates not posted.
- Futurpreneur Startup ProgramOpenLoan, up to $75,000Ages 18 to 39; business full-time for 24 months or less.
- Futurpreneur Side HustleOpenLoan, up to $25,000Ages 18 to 39, keeping a full-time income for 12 months.
- Starter Company Plus (Toronto)Between intakesGrant, $5,00035 hours a week or more on the business. Closed October 9, 2026.
- Starter Company Plus (Hamilton)Opens Oct 26Grant, up to $5,000Hamilton address, 6 months of trading, not in school.
- Futurpreneur Black Entrepreneur StartupOpenLoan, up to $75,000Ages 18 to 39; majority Black-owned.
- Futurpreneur Indigenous Entrepreneur StartupOpenLoan, up to $75,000Ages 18 to 39; First Nations, Métis or Inuit majority owner.
- Nishnawbe Aski Development FundOpenContribution with a loanNishnawbe Aski Nation territory; only with an NADF loan.
For employers hiring young people
- Canada Summer JobsOpen until Dec 350% to 100% of minimum wagePrivate employers: 50 or fewer full-time staff.
- ICTC WIL DigitalOpen50% of pay, up to $5,000A digital or technical role. Fall term closes November 15, 2026.
- Talent Opportunities Program (Ontario Chamber)OpenUp to $5,000Any industry; the placement is part of the study plan.
- Ontario Co-operative Education Tax CreditClaim at tax time25% to 30%, up to $3,000An approved Ontario co-op program, 10 weeks or more.
- Youth Employment and Skills ProgramBetween intakesUp to $25,000 per youthDelivery organizations apply; employers host placements.
- Mitacs AccelerateOpenYou pay from $7,500 of a $15,000 awardA research project with a professor supervising.
- FedNor Youth InternshipsOpenUp to 90%, to $35,000 a yearNorthern Ontario; a graduate 30 or under, from the last three years.
That is the youth-only list. Your business may also match startup, hiring and training programs with no age rule at all. See everything your Ontario business qualifies for →
Young entrepreneur grants in Ontario, under 30 and under 40
Futurpreneur's $75,000 is two five-year loans, up to $25,000 from Futurpreneur and up to $50,000 from BDC, with up to two years of mentorship. Summer Company pays $1,500 up front and $1,500 when you finish.
| Program | Who, and the most | Best when |
|---|---|---|
| Summer Company | Students 15 to 29; $3,000 grant | You want a summer business instead of a summer job |
| Starter Company Plus | No upper age limit; $5,000 grant | You already trade, full-time, with your own money in |
| Futurpreneur Startup | 18 to 39; $75,000 loan | You need real capital and can repay it |
| Futurpreneur Side Hustle | 18 to 39 with a job; $25,000 loan | You keep your job for at least a year |
Starter Company Plus runs through your local Small Business Enterprise Centre, and each centre sets its own intake: find your centre on ontario.ca.
Outside Ontario? See youth entrepreneur grants across Canada.
How to Choose the Right Ontario Youth Grant
Ontario youth grants serve two very different users: employers hiring young people and young entrepreneurs starting or growing a business. The right program depends entirely on which side of the equation you're on.
If you're an employer hiring summer students: Canada Summer Jobs is the go-to program. Applications open each fall for the following summer — non-profit employers can receive up to 100% of minimum wage; private-sector employers receive 50%. The 2027 call is open until December 3, 2026.
If you're hiring a recent grad into a digital role: Digital Skills for Youth (DS4Y) provides wage subsidies of up to $15,000 for 6-month digital internships (closed as of June 26, 2026, with no 2026-27 intake announced). The process is indirect — you apply through a DS4Y delivery partner, not ESDC directly. Eligible roles include digital marketing, software development, data analysis, and e-commerce.
If you're a young entrepreneur aged 18–39: Futurpreneur Canada is the flagship program. It offers up to $75,000 in combined financing with two years of mentorship. Ontario is Futurpreneur's most active market, with advisors in every major city. For small amounts without an age cap, Starter Company Plus (up to $5,000) through your local SBEC is faster and easier to access.
If you need a post-secondary student for R&D work: Mitacs Accelerate covers up to $15,000 per internship on a cost-sharing basis with Ontario universities and colleges. It's the strongest option for tech-intensive roles requiring graduate-level research skills.
| Program | Amount | Best For | Who Applies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada Summer Jobs | Up to 100% wage | Summer student hires | Employer |
| Futurpreneur | Up to $75,000 | Young founders (18–39) | Young entrepreneur |
| Digital Skills for Youth (closed as of June 26, 2026) | Up to $15,000 | Digital intern hire | Employer (via partner) |
| Mitacs Accelerate | Up to $15,000 | R&D with grad student | Employer + university |
| Starter Company Plus | Up to $5,000 | Early-stage founders | Entrepreneur (via SBEC) |
Grants to employ young people in Ontario, by who you hire
A student for the summerCanada Summer Jobs, apply to ESDC through GCOS
A college or university co-op studentStudent Work Placement Program, through a sector partner
A young person facing barriers to workYouth Employment and Skills Program, through a delivery organization
A master's or PhD student for R&DMitacs Accelerate, with a university partner
A recent graduate in Northern OntarioFedNor Youth Internships, through your local CFDC
Digital Skills for Youth, listed above, had no open intake on June 26, 2026, our last check. For a digital student hire, ICTC WIL Digital is open.
Sources: canada.ca Canada Summer Jobs applicant guide; mitacs.ca Accelerate page; GrantCompass catalogue records for SWPP partners, YESP, FedNor and Digital Skills for Youth. Read October 16, 2026.Every other wage subsidy is on Ontario hiring grants; national programs are on youth and student hiring programs in Canada.
How to offset the cost of hiring a tech intern in Ontario
A four-month tech co-op student in Ontario at $22 an hour for 35 hours a week costs $12,320 in wages. As of October 16, 2026, the Student Work Placement Program through ICTC's WIL Digital pays back up to $5,000, and Ontario's co-op education tax credit can return $2,196 more, leaving $5,124: 42% of the wages.
- ICTC WIL Digital: $5,000
- Co-op tax credit: $2,196
- You pay: $5,124
| Route | Back to you | You pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pay it all yourself | $0 | $12,320 |
| WIL Digital | $5,000 | $7,320 |
| WIL Digital + co-op credit (30%) | $7,196 | $5,124 |
| Mitacs, a grad researcher | $7,500 match | $7,500 |
- The credit counts wages after other government help, so it applies to $7,320. It is 30% if last year's Ontario payroll was $400,000 or less and 25% from $600,000 (at 25% you pay $5,490).
- The placement must be part of an approved Ontario co-op program and last 10 consecutive weeks or more. Wages only: payroll costs come on top.
Run your own wage and hours in the Student Work Placement calculator and the Ontario co-op tax credit calculator.
Canada Summer Jobs 2027 in Ontario: when it closes and who can apply
Canada Summer Jobs 2027 opened to employers on October 27, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern, and closes December 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific. On the last call's terms, not-for-profits got up to 100% of the provincial minimum wage and public and private employers up to 50%, with private employers limited to 50 or fewer full-time staff.
- Last year's window, for the 2026 summer.
- The 2027 call opened at 9:00 a.m. Eastern.
- The 2027 call closes at 11:59 p.m. Pacific.
Funded jobs go to youth aged 15 to 30. Have these ready:
Planning a summer hire? See what the subsidy pays on your wage and weeks, then read the program rules. Work out your Canada Summer Jobs subsidy →
How to Apply for Ontario Youth Grants
- Determine your role: employer or founder. Employer-side programs (Canada Summer Jobs, DS4Y, YESP) require you to post a job and hire a youth. Founder-side programs (Futurpreneur, Starter Company Plus) require you to be the young entrepreneur yourself.
- For employer programs: plan ahead by 3–6 months. Canada Summer Jobs applications open in October for the following summer. DS4Y intakes are announced by delivery partners — sign up for updates from organizations like the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) and Coding for Employment.
- For Futurpreneur: prepare a business plan first. Futurpreneur requires a completed business plan and financial projections. Free business planning support is available through Ontario Business Supports and your local Small Business Enterprise Centre.
- For Starter Company Plus: find your local SBEC. The program is delivered through Ontario's 57 Small Business Enterprise Centres — not a central application portal. Visit ontario.ca/sbec to find the closest one. Intake periods vary by region.
- Stack programs where possible. Canada Summer Jobs and the Canada-Ontario Job Grant can be combined: use CSJ to fund the student's summer wages, then use COJG to fund formal certification training for that same student in the fall. Futurpreneur financing can be stacked with Starter Company Plus in some scenarios. Always confirm stacking rules with each program officer upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
What youth grants are available specifically in Ontario in 2026?
Ontario businesses can access the full suite of federal programs plus Ontario-specific options. The strongest federal programs are Canada Summer Jobs (100% wage subsidy for non-profits), Youth Employment and Skills Program (up to $25,000), Futurpreneur (up to $75,000 for ages 18–39), and Digital Skills for Youth (up to $15,000 per digital intern). Ontario-specific options include Starter Company Plus (up to $5,000 through local SBECs) and the NADF Business Financing Program for Indigenous youth in Northern Ontario.
Can Ontario employers combine youth grants with training programs?
Yes. A common combination: Canada Summer Jobs covers the student's summer wages, then the Canada-Ontario Job Grant covers the cost of sending that same student to a third-party training course in the fall. SWILP (co-op wage subsidies) can also be stacked with COJG for training costs. Always disclose all government funding sources in your application and confirm stacking rules with each program officer.
What is the Canada Summer Jobs intake schedule for Ontario?
Canada Summer Jobs applications typically open in the fall (the 2027 call is open until December 3, 2026) for the following summer employment period (May–August). Applications are submitted online through the Canada.ca Grants and Contributions Online Services portal. Ontario employers should apply as early as possible — popular regions and sectors fill quickly. Successful applicants are notified in March or April before the employment season begins.
Are there youth grants for Indigenous entrepreneurs in Ontario?
Yes. The Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund provides up to $99,999 in non-repayable contributions, paired with an NADF loan, for Indigenous entrepreneurs in Northern Ontario, with a strong track record of supporting young First Nations and Metis founders. The Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program funds culturally appropriate training across all regions of Ontario. Futurpreneur also has Indigenous-specific outreach through its national network.
What age qualifies as "youth" for Ontario grant purposes?
The definition varies by program. Canada Summer Jobs defines youth as 15–30 years old. The Youth Employment and Skills Program uses 15–30. Futurpreneur requires applicants to be 18–39. Digital Skills for Youth targets post-secondary graduates under 30. For Starter Company Plus, there is no upper age limit — it is available to entrepreneurs of all ages. When in doubt, check the specific eligibility criteria of the program you're applying to.
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Funding Programs in This Category
Ontario youth entrepreneur programs in our database, each with eligibility, funding amounts and how-to-apply detail.