Youth Tech Impact Program
Funding for businesses in Northwestern Ontario to hire a full-time youth (18-29) for 15 weeks to work on an innovative project over the summer. Participants gain real-world experience, innovation training, and mentorship, while businesses benefit from fresh talent and support to drive growth.
- Businesses get hands on help with a project for 15 weeks over the summer
- Funding covers full time youth wage plus a wage top-up upon successful completion of the program
- Youth work on a clearly identified technology focused and or AI focused innovative project and achieve defined milestones.
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Program Overview
For Youth
The Youth Yech Impact Program offers youth (18-29) the opportunity to gain hands-on experience by working full-time for 15 weeks on an innovative project with a local business. Participants receive mentorship, leadership development, and innovation training through workshops and a 3 day retreat while building real-world skills and expanding their professional network.
Program Overview
For Companies
The Youth Tech Impact Program provides funding for businesses to hire a full-time youth for 15 weeks to tackle a defined innovative project. Companies benefit from fresh talent, innovation tools, and the energy of youth to help achieve project milestones and drive business growth.
Company Applications Open: February 26th - March 27th, 2026
Funding covers a full-time youth wage of $18/hr for 35 hours per week over 15 weeks, with a $2/hr youth wage top-up upon program completion, while businesses contribute $1,000
Youth Eligibility
- Must be between the ages of 18-29
- Must be located in Northwestern Ontario
- Must be legally entitled to work in Canada
- Must be able to commit to full-time hours and participate in the full 15-week program
- Must not be related to the company applicant
- Should demonstrate a strong interest in pursuing entrepreneurship as a career, ideally with a focus on technology and or artificial intelligence
- Youth participants must commit to attending all required training sessions and actively engaging in the program. Time spent in these sessions is considered paid time under the wage subsidy, and full participation is expected as part of their employment commitment.
Company Eligibility
- Must be a business or non profit based in Northwestern Ontario
- Must provide a meaningful, innovative, technology focused project for the youth to work on over a 15 week period
- Must comply with all Federal and Provincial employer payroll remittance requirements for the 15 weeks of employment
- Companies must provide participating youth with dedicated time to attend all required program training sessions. Attendance at these sessions is mandatory and the time spent in training is considered paid time as part of the wage subsidy.
Contact Information
Hussain Hayat
- 1 807-768-6682
- 1 807-768-6682
- 1 807-768-6682
- hussain@nwoinnovation.ca
FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of projects are eligible?
Projects must center on meaningful new technology adoption or the integration of artificial intelligence into core operations, delivering clear business value beyond a simple website update. Examples include AI driven automation, advanced CRM or ERP implementation, predictive analytics, machine learning integration into workflows, or smart inventory and data management systems.
What types of projects are ineligible?
Day to day operational activities are not eligible. Examples of ineligible projects include:
Hiring front of house staff to manage routine customer interactions
Completing regular inventory restocking or basic inventory management
General bookkeeping, accounting, or payroll processing
Maintaining existing marketing channels, websites, or social media accounts
Creating or updating a basic website
Eligible projects must instead focus on meaningful new technology adoption or the integration of artificial intelligence that enhances, modernizes, or transforms core business operations. If you are unsure whether your proposed project qualifies, please contact us for clarification before applying.
Can startups apply?
Yes, startups can apply as long as they are a registered business that complies with all federal and provincial employer payroll requirements and can provide full time work for the youth throughout the duration of the program.
What are the youth requirements?
Youth will be required to:
o Attend a meet and great and graduation
o Participate in 3 peer-to-peer lunch sessions
o Take part in a 3-day leadership and entrepreneurship retreat
o Attend additional learning sessions over the 15 weeks
*Companies must give youth time to attend these sessions, and these sessions are paid as part of the subsidy