Young entrepreneurs across Northumberland are turning big ideas into real businesses with support from the Business & Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland (BECN) My Future My Career and Summer Company Programs.
This summer, 24 participants between the ages of 8 and 14 received micro grants and free business coaching through the My Future My Career Program – now in its fifth year. To date, the program has awarded 65 youth with approximately $29,000 in funding to help these young entrepreneurs develop business plans, market their products, and gain hands-on experience. In 2025, 20 participants (12 new businesses, 8 existing businesses) received micro grants to support their business ventures and were celebrated at a certificate presentation and pizza party held at Northumberland County headquarters on July 10.
Young adults aged 15 to 29 are also supported through the Summer Company Program, funded by the Government of Ontario. This program offers aspiring entrepreneurs access to mentorship and micro grants of up to $3,000 to start or grow their business. Since launching in 2001, the program has delivered over $502,000 in funding to 162 young adults in Northumberland. This summer, four participants are participating in the in the program, using the funding and ongoing mentorship, guidance and training to pursue their business ambitions.
“Our young entrepreneurs continue to impress with their creativity, determination, and passion,” states BECN Business Development Coordinator Kailyn Coupland. “It’s incredibly rewarding to support these young minds through the My Future My Career and Summer Company programs, helping them gain confidence and the skills they need to pursue their dreams. Seeing them take those first steps toward building their own businesses is truly inspiring.”
This year, the My Future My Career micro grant was awarded to 20 kids’ businesses, including:
· Audrey; Sunny Day Slimes (Cobourg)
· Avery; Perfectly Painted (Cobourg)
· Cooper; Coops Vacation Hydration (Cobourg)
· Désirée; Noodle Farm Crochet (Grafton)
· Evelyn; Evelyn’s Wind Chimes and Signs (Warkworth)
· Hana; Hana’s Sweets (Castleton)
· Irena; Irena’s Crochet Creations (Cobourg)
· Izaiah; Lawn Legends (Cobourg)
· Jaiden; Squeegee Heroes (Campbellford)
· Kestrel; Gaggle o’ Goslings (Port Hope)
· Lucy; Cosmo’s Trinkets (Brighton)
· Madeleine; Teoheim Things (Cobourg)
· Melia; Melia’s Bracelets and Things (Baltimore)
· Mikayla; Gummy Bear Accessories (Cobourg
· Noella; Equality First (Cobourg)
· Quinten and Team; Wash Boyz (Cobourg)
· Sadie; Sadie’s Sitting Services (Cobourg)
· Sebastian and Team; Empire Beez (Hastings)
· Victory; Cutesy Crochet Co (Cobourg)
· William; Vair (Cobourg)
The Summer Company microgrant was awarded to 4 youth businesses, including:
· Jack; Lawn in Order Northumberland (Grafton)
· Jané; Zenith (Colborne)
· Jordan; JLove Productions (Brighton)
· Sean; Waardeer (Cobourg)
Emerging entrepreneurs supported by the My Future My Career and Summer Company programs are set to present their ventures at the annual BECN Youth Showcase, happening on Wednesday, August 13, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Staples in Cobourg.
Product-based businesses will be showcased at the Cobourg Farmers’ Market Youth Day on Saturday, August 23, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
More about the Summer Company Program
The Summer company program is funded with support from the Government of Ontario and is available to students aged 15 to 29 who are looking for support navigating entrepreneurship. Successful applicants from this program can receive up to $3,000 in microgrants to help fund start-up costs of operating a business.
More about the My Future My Career Program
This free youth entrepreneurship program helps kids, ages 8 to 14, start or grow their own business during the summer break. The program offers business guidance and provides them with a small microgrant of up to $500 to help fund business expenses such as marketing, supplies, and equipment.
For more information about the BECN
To learn more about the BECN, their programs, and upcoming events, visit BECN.ca.
Left to Right: BECN Business Development Coordinator Kailyn Coupland; youth entrepreneur William (Vair); County Deputy Warden Olena Hankivsky
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
