Frances asked:

My daughter is 15 and wants to start a business at my home in Ontario. Is she able to receive a government grant or does she need to wait untill she is of age?

Julie King answered:

It's great to hear about young people who are interested in starting a business! There are very few grants for people to start a business, but Summer Company is one option your daughter can investigate.

We have an article, Grants and Loans for Young Entrepreneurs in Canada, that lists a few programs in the province of Ontario.

Summer Company, an Ontario-based program for "enterprising students ages 15-21, provides a total of $3,000 ($1,500 in start-up costs and another $1500 upon successful completion of the program) to start and run a summer business. Applications are currently open. The final deadline is May 9, 2011, but this could close sooner if the program reaches capacity. You can learn more about Summer Company at www.sbe.gov.on.ca/ontcan/1medt/smallbiz/en/sb_ye_summerco_en.jsp.

Many communities have a business help centre, and these places should know about local programs that are available as well.

Our site also has many articles that can help your daughter with many aspects related to starting her business, from sales and marketing to dealing with the financial side of her company.

Yours in entrepreneurship,

Julie King

About the author

 
Click here to go back to Ask-an-Expert index page.