Business & Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland celebrates 2026 youth entrepreneurs from My Future My Career and Summer Company programs

Cobourg, ON – July 10, 2026 – A new generation of entrepreneurs were celebrated yesterday at the Business and Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland (BECN)’s annual youth certificate presentation ceremony, awarding micro grants to young entrepreneurs to help them turn their innovative ideas into successful ventures.

Record participation in My Future My Career Kids Entrepreneurship Program

The My Future My Career Kids Entrepreneurship Program is a youth entrepreneurship initiative delivered by BECN and Northumberland County for youth, ages 8 to 14. The program encourages participants to explore entrepreneurship by developing a business idea, completing a simple business plan, launching or growing a business, and gaining hands-on experience in marketing, customer service, financial management, and sales.

Now entering its sixth year, this program is unique to Northumberland County and has supported 89 young entrepreneurs and awarded $39,305 in micro grants, helping youth transform their ideas into reality. The program continues to foster confidence, creativity, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills while inspiring the next generation of business owners.

This year’s intake welcomes a record-breaking 24 young entrepreneurs, representing communities across Northumberland County. Businesses span a wide range of sectors, including food and beverage, 3D printing and product design, woodworking, face painting, babysitting, fitness coaching, language education, handmade crafts and jewelry, candles, fashion, lawn care, cotton candy, and youth-focused products and services.

The diversity, creativity, and professionalism demonstrated by this year’s participants reflects the continued growth and impact of youth entrepreneurship throughout Northumberland County.

Congratulations to the 2026 My Future My Career participants:

• Abraham, age 9 from Hastings – Asaaaa kids
• Ava, age 11 from Colborne – Fluffy Crew Crafts
• Blythe, age 11 from Cobourg – BCS Upcycled Clothing and Accessories
• Cassidy, age 9 from Cobourg – Cute as a Button
• Ellie, age 13 from Colborne – EllieMade
• Ember, age 8 from Cobourg – Ember’s Face Painting Club
• Ever, age 8 from Port Hope – Sugar Rush
• Isaac, age 9 from Port Hope – Spanish Adventure Club.
• Jackson, age 14 from Colborne – Maple Board Charcuterie
• Jakub, age 13 from Cobourg – Cunningham Clean Up
• Jasper, age 13 from Cobourg – Good Times Cotton Candy
• Joshua, age 9 from Roseneath – Joshie’s Instant Memory Maker
• Kaelyn, age 13 from Cobourg – K.M Babysitting Services
• Liv, age 13 from Port Hope – Sweet x Sour
• Luciana, age 11 from Cobourg – LUCKY LU
• Madeline, age 13 from Cobourg – Walker’s Wicks
• Rocco, age 8 from Cobourg – 3DB
• Ryan, age 13 from Grafton – Diamond Shine Washing
• Savannah, age 12 from Colborne – Sew Savy by Savannah
• Shadrach, age 9 from Grafton – Shaddy’s Challenge Champions
• Sol, age 10 from Port Hope – Solful
• True, age 14 from Port Hope – True Shepherd Coaching
• Wolfgang, age 9 from Cobourg – The Big Vending Machine
• Wyatt, age 11 from Cobourg – Prints Charming

Summer Company Program helps teens and young adults start or grow their business

In addition to the My Future My Career Program for kids, the BECN also offers a program for teens and young adults. The Summer Company Program is a provincial initiative delivered through Small Business Centres across Ontario. The program provides youth aged 15 to 29 with hands-on entrepreneurship experience through business skills development, training, advisory support, and mentoring. Eligible participants can also receive up to $3,000 in start-up funding to launch and operate their own business.

To support continued program growth and youth engagement, BECN staff actively connect with high schools across Northumberland County to deliver presentations on entrepreneurship and the Summer Company Program. These outreach efforts help raise awareness, encourage participation, and inspire the next generation of local business leaders.

For the 2026 intake, BECN approved nine youth entrepreneurs, awarding a total of $27,000 in grant funding supported by the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

Meet the BECN’s 2026 Summer Company youth entrepreneurs:

• Carissa from Cobourg – Lashed by C (professional eyelash services)
• Ella from Port Hope – Winking Goose (one-of-a-kind art pieces)
• Izaiah from Cobourg – Lawn Legends (landscaping)
• Keira from Port Hope – Keira Digital Design Services (digital design services)
• Kennedy from Hamilton – Rodeo Rope Co. (custom-made horse tack and dog accessories)
• Max from Cobourg – Urban Shine Mobile Detailing (mobile detailing)
• Paige from Cramahe – Little Miss Pampered (aesthetics services)
• Reed from Trent Hills – Sideline.Ry (sports photography)
• Seth from Cobourg – Blacktop Kings (pressure washing, crack repair, and asphalt sealing)

For more information about youth entrepreneurship programs offered through the Business & Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland, visit BECN.ca