16 student entrepreneurs have been recognized by the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Centre for launching and operating small businesses over the summer. They were recognized at the 2026 Summer Company Showcase. Full-time students between the ages of 15 and 29 received hands-on business education, mentorship from local business leaders, and a grant up to $3,000 at the showcase. “By the end of the summer, I came out of the program with more than a business plan,” said Mubashira Khateeb, owner of HeritageStitch. “I came out with a real handle on my numbers, a clear sense of who my customer base is, and a network of Windsor-Essex business owners and fellow entrepreneurs I now share this experience with. That is what I believe Summer Company truly offers, it did not just simply fund a summer of work, it provided the structure, the mentorship, and the community needed to turn a business idea into something sustainable.” The students recognized were: “It’s incredibly rewarding to see how much these young entrepreneurs have grown over the course of the summer,” said Sabrina DeMarco, executive director of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Centre, a division of Invest WindsorEssex. “They’ve taken ideas, put them into action, and learned firsthand what it takes to start and operate a business. Summer Company gives students an opportunity to build practical skills, confidence, and connections that will serve them well beyond the program. We’re proud to celebrate their accomplishments and grateful to the mentors, partners, and sponsors who help make this experience possible.”
