Future Business Leaders Graduate from 2026 Summer Company Program
August 26, 2026, Peterborough, ON – Six aspiring entrepreneurs are celebrating the successful completion of the 2026 Summer Company Program after spending the summer turning their business ideas into thriving businesses.
“Small businesses play a vital role in keeping our local communities vibrant and growing, and seeing students step up to launch their own enterprises right here in Peterborough-Kawartha is inspiring,” says Dave Smith, MPP for Peterborough-Kawartha. “The Summer Company program equips these future leaders with practical skills, confidence, and real-world experience. I congratulate all six graduates on a successful season and look forward to seeing where their drive takes them next.”
The students celebrated the end of the program at a graduation ceremony and tradeshow hosted by Community Futures Peterborough’s Business Advisory Centre. Local leaders, community partners, family members, and members of the media joined the celebration and had the opportunity to meet the students and learn more about the businesses they built over the summer.
For the students, the program provided not only business support, but also a network of guidance and encouragement as they navigated entrepreneurship for the first time.
“Community Futures Peterborough gave me a sense of community and belonging throughout my summer. There is such a wide range of knowledge and expertise from the team, whenever I had any sort of curiosity, I always knew where to find answers,” says Rielle MacDougall, owner of Lake Safe Swim Lessons. “Having a team to back you up through a solopreneurship journey made starting a business feel a lot more manageable.”
This year’s Summer Company graduate students are:
- Aiden Budd – Dock to Driveway Detailing (Peterborough)
- Zander Bromley – Clearview (Peterborough)
- Caleb Galbraith – Joy Collectibles 3D (Lakefield)
- Emma George-Peters – Kawartha Luxe Cottage Care (Peterborough)
- Rutger Huntley – Peak Beach Volleyball (Millbrook)
- Rielle MacDougall – Lake Safe Swim Lessons (Peterborough)
Throughout the program, the students gained hands-on experience launching and operating their own businesses while developing valuable entrepreneurial, financial, marketing, and leadership skills. From refining business plans and serving customers to managing day-to-day operations, each participant demonstrated creativity, resilience, and determination throughout the summer.
“The Summer Company program allows students to do more than work a summer job. It gives them the opportunity to explore what it takes to be a leader, make decisions, solve problems, and build something of their own,” says Allison Adam, Entrepreneurship Officer with Community Futures Peterborough. “These students worked incredibly hard to create their own summer jobs, taking their ideas from concept to operation and learning firsthand what it takes to run a business. They rose to the challenge and excelled, which speaks volumes about both their dedication and the impact this program can have on young people.”
Funded by the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, the Summer Company program provides an opportunity for students aged 15 to 29 years old to take a business idea and bring it to life, with the guidance, funding, and encouragement they need to succeed. In addition to receiving up to $3,000 in grant funding, they have also received expert training and ongoing mentorship from Community Futures Peterborough staff to help them navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship and business start-up.
“Young entrepreneurs are the future business leaders of our community,” says Jeff Leal, Mayor for the City of Peterborough. “Thank you to Community Futures Peterborough and the Business Advisory Centre for supporting the next generation of local entrepreneurs through the Summer Company program. Congratulations to the graduating students – a bright future lies ahead!”
The success of this year’s graduates demonstrates the value of giving young people the opportunity to explore entrepreneurship firsthand. Each student successfully launched and operated a business over the summer, and all expressed an interest in continuing their entrepreneurial journey, whether by growing the same business or pursuing a new idea.
“Peterborough County thanks Community Futures Peterborough for delivering the Summer Company program and empowering young entrepreneurs with the skills, mentorship, and confidence to bring their business ideas to life,” says Bonnie Clark, Warden of Peterborough County. “We are proud to support Community Futures Peterborough’s Small Business Enterprise Centre programming, helping entrepreneurs across the County access the resources they need to start and grow successful businesses. Congratulations to this year’s graduates, and we look forward to their continued contributions to our communities and local economy”.
The graduation ceremony and tradeshow provided participants with an opportunity to showcase their businesses, share their experiences, and celebrate the successful conclusion of the program alongside community supporters.
About Community Futures Peterborough
Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) has a mission to support small businesses with flexible financing in the City of Peterborough and Peterborough County. It has invested more than $44 million in 1,900+ small businesses since 1985, creating or maintaining more than 4,900 jobs in the City of Peterborough and Peterborough County. CFP is a not-for-profit organization funded by the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), as part of the Community Futures Program. The Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) program is delivered locally by Community Futures Peterborough and funded in partnership with the Province of Ontario. The Business Advisory Centre also receives operational funding from the City of Peterborough and Peterborough County.
Media Contact:
Allison Adam, Entrepreneurship Officer, Business Advisory Centre
Office: 705-745-5434 x 5
