ACOA Business Information Services

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) is here for you. Our Business Information Services team can help you figure out your next steps and find what you need to start or grow your business. Who we are Our one-stop information shop is free of charge and available in both official languages. We’re ready to answer your business questions and guide you through the steps to take to make your great ideas a reality. From funding to planning, from research to regulations, if there’s something you need to run your business, look no further! What we do Business support is what we know. We can give you information on: business planning – get personalized advice no matter how far along you are. financing – learn about different funding options (loans, grants, wage subsidies, COVID-19 relief, etc.). government regulations – learn about taxes, permits, licences, and more to make sure you’re operating legally. imports and exports – find out how to move goods and services across the Canadian border. reliable market research information – access research on the topics you need: Demographics (e.g., age, household income, marital status, etc.) Potential competitors Suppliers and distributors Industry performance International market and industry data Financial benchmarking specific to your industry Consumer trends Import and export statistics

BIONOVA Boost

BioNova provides this workshop series to accelerate the innovation and productivity of Nova Scotia’s businesses while boosting the bioeconomy. The sessions bring together BioNova members, business professionals, industry representatives, students and other key stakeholders to offer:

Informational seminars to boost your chances of achieving your business goals, such as accessing new sources of funding and emerging business needs
Educational events to facilitate business development, such as Intellectual Property and Patent system changes, Marketing and Communications workshops to improve outreach and Talent Recruitment & Management training to enhance your workforce
Industry related workshops to address known challenges and emerging issues, such as regulatory changes within the FDA & Health Canada, CE Marking and reimbursement strategies

Canada Business Nova Scotia Events Calendar

Learn about various events offered for entrepreneurs in Nova Scotia.

Canadian Intellectual Property Office- Calendar of Events

Find events to help you with your intellectual property questions.

Cape Breton Partnership

The Cape Breton Partnership is Cape Breton-Unama’ki’s private sector-led economic development organization that supports companies and entrepreneurs by promoting our island as a great place to live, work, and invest; growing a culture that values and celebrates creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship; and connecting entrepreneurs and companies to the resources they need to succeed.

Cape Breton Partnership – Connector Program

The Connector Program matches community and business leaders (Connectors) with immigrants, international and local graduates (Connectees) in their industry of expertise. The Connector Program is a simple and effective networking program that connects driven individuals with industry leaders who can help facilitate the growth of their careers here in Cape Breton.

Cape Breton Partnership – Innovation District Project

Creative Island is an initiative of the Cape Breton Partnership (with support from Cape Breton University and the Province of Nova Scotia) that is helping to build a culture that values and supports innovation and entrepreneurship; celebrating our rich creative past and present; and developing and supporting programs, services and spaces to help increase the innovation capacity of Cape Bretoners and Cape Breton companies.

Cape Breton Regional Enterprise Network

The Cape Breton Regional Enterprise Network (CBREN) spans the Island and has the primary goal of supporting the development and attraction of new businesses, and the retention and expansion of existing businesses. CBREN staff are based across the region in Sydney, Baddeck, Port Hood, Inverness and St. Peter’s. The Economic Development team provides support, counselling and guidance to businesses at every stage. Services offered include: Business planning Connecting businesses to support programs and economic development partners Providing support and direction to entrepreneurs considering a business start-up Monitoring workforce training requirements Working with businesses to identify programs and initiatives for their existing workforce

Cape Breton University – Innovation and Entrepreneurial Centre

The Cape Breton University Innovation and Entrepreneurial Centre is an inspiring community space where students from all five of CBU’s schools and diverse student body can meet to brainstorm, learn, collaborate and work together.

Cape Breton University-Startup Cape Breton

Startup Cape Breton is an event that happens several times per year in CBU’s Verschuren Centre and is open to the public. Startup Cape Breton was created to promote entrepreneurship on the island by exploring new opportunities in technology, business, and education, and features speakers from Cape Breton, Atlantic Canada, and outside the region. Startup Cape Breton aims to support and promote the emerging startup community on the island, to help it capitalize on its strengths in creativity and human resources with a goal that the island be home to hundreds of startups. Plans are underway to grow the concept from an event to a social hub, with more frequent and various programming.