Six Young Entrepreneurs Selected After Record-Breaking Interest in Summer Company Program
May 20, 2026, Peterborough, ON – Community Futures Peterborough’s Business Advisory Centre is proud to announce six students have been accepted into the Summer Company Program and will receive training, mentorship and grant dollars to launch their new business this summer.
“The Summer Company program was designed to bridge the gap between a great idea and a viable business for our next generation of leaders,” said Dave Smith, MPP for Peterborough—Kawartha. “By providing students with both the financial capital and the professional mentorship they need, we are ensuring that young entrepreneurs don’t just dream about starting a business—they actually do it. It is inspiring to see such a record-breaking number of applicants this year, and we are proud to support their journey.”
The Summer Company program provides youth aged 15 to 29 with the opportunity to receive tools, guidance and grant dollars of up to $3,000 to start and launch their businesses. Funded by the Government of Ontario, through the Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) program, Summer Company is designed to support the entrepreneurial ambitions of youth in communities across the province. Participants receive in-person training in key areas such as business planning, marketing, and financial management, along with one-on-one mentorship tailored to their individual needs. Community Futures Peterborough received 40 applications for this year’s program, and the following students have been selected:
- 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; and
- Rielle MacDougall, Lake Safe Swim Lessons, Peterborough.
From hands-on, service-based ventures like landscaping, boat, car and RV detailing, cottage care and cleaning, to active, community-focused offerings such as lake-safe swimming lessons and volleyball training and gameplay, these young entrepreneurs are creating businesses that enhance everyday life in the region. The group also includes an innovative 3D printing business, showcasing the blend of creativity and emerging technology within this year’s Summer Company cohort.
“Being accepted into the Summer Company program means that this idea is backed and validated by a fantastic team of individuals, which makes proceeding with everything feel far more achievable and realistic,” said Rutger Huntley, who is launching Peak Beach Volleyball in Cavan-Monaghan. “The resources and connections from this program will be monumental for getting Peak Beach Volleyball of the ground and running. One of the scariest parts of beginning a business is the lack of promise of anything actually evolving, so to take the monetary risk out of that and have guidance is phenomenal.”
“These students are incredibly impressive,” said Allison Adam, Entrepreneurship Officer at the Business Advisory Centre. “They’re already eager to get started and are showing real potential for success.”
Applications for this year’s Summer Company program were almost double the number of applications received for the program in 2025; showcasing a strong desire for young people in our community to receive training, mentorship and support to start their own businesses.
“Programs like Summer Company give young people the opportunity to turn their ideas into real businesses right here in Peterborough,” said Jeff Leal, Mayor, City of Peterborough. “These six entrepreneurs are demonstrating creativity, ambition and a strong commitment to our community. The City of Peterborough is proud to support Community Futures Peterborough’s Business Advisory Centre as they foster the next generation of business leaders, and we look forward to seeing their ventures grow this summer and beyond.”
“The Summer Company program empowers young people across our region to turn their ideas into real opportunities. It’s inspiring to see this next generation of entrepreneurs building skills, confidence, and businesses that will contribute to the strength and vitality of our rural and urban communities alike,” said Bonnie Clark, Warden, Peterborough County. “Peterborough County is proud of this outstanding program delivered by our trusted and valued partner, Community Futures Peterborough.”
Community Futures Peterborough encourages the public to support these students throughout the summer by hiring their services, sharing their work, and helping them gain valuable real-world experience. For more information about the Summer Company Program please visit https://communityfuturespeterborough.ca/programs/summercompany/
