The following companies/organizations are Investors of the Cape Breton Partnership and offer services specific to business development.

Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design

Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design (the Centre), a non-profit charitable organization, is an integral and leading force in the educational, promotional and economic development of the craft sector on Cape Breton Island with a membership of over 300 individuals and organizations throughout Cape Breton Island, the traditional and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaw people of Unama’ki. The mandate of Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design is to promote excellence in the field of craft and design through education and training, exhibitions and special events. We are committed to developing programs that preserve, elevate, expand, and enhance the creation of craft.

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Stephanie Dupuis

Craft Business Development Coordinator

322 Charlotte Street Sydney, Nova Scotia

902-539-7491

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Cape Breton Partnership – Business Services

The Cape Breton Partnership provides support, counselling and guidance to businesses at every stage.

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Shannon MacNeil

(902) 562-0122

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CBDC – Coastal Business

Established in 1985, Coastal Business CBDC’s principal goals continue to be the provision of quality financial and advisory assistance to new and expanding business within our community.  To achieve these goals Coastal Business provides access to capital for qualifying small and medium size enterprises.  In addition it provides advisory assistance, training and general counseling to better ensure the success of the assisted businesses. Financial assistance is available in the form of loans, loan guarantees and equity financing to existing and aspiring entrepreneurs. Business counselling, help & advice is available to small businesses. We help businesses to succeed and therefore we give high priority to the advisory role of our mandate. Entrepreneurship development and training to individuals and small business owners/managers is available in many of our offices. Technical assistance usually takes the form of guidance and coaching, and sometimes advocating on behalf of our clients to other lending establishments or regulatory agencies.

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Patricia MacNeil

Executive Director

292 Charlotte Street Suite 100 Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 1C7

(902) 539-4332

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Centre for Entrepreneurship Education & Development (CEED)

CEED offers entrepreneurs of all ages and stages a wide variety of hands-on learning opportunities. In Cape Breton, programs are delivered both in-person at Navigate Startup House and virtually via Adobe Connect. CEED’s experiential programming is designed to ensure the participant leaves with relevant skills that can be immediately employed in the launch or growth of a business. The following programs are available:

Building Financial Models
Value Proposition Design
Business Model Canvas
Pricing Your Product or Service

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Kim Desveaux

Navigate 37 Nepean Street, Sydney

(902)-217-2092

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Colindale Business Soloutions

Our service includes a comprehensive consultation to help identify gaps and opportunities, a comprehensive report that includes a project plan with timelines and milestones, a cost analysis, and a schedule. We also offer a suite of quality products that will help you get there quickly and smoothly. That’s how we ensure your success. We help start ups and existing businesses with the following: Business Management/Development Practices Diagnostic Assessments Access to Capital Market/Export Readiness Business Plan Mentoring Business Coaching Property Management Services

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Damian MacInnis

151 Little Mabou Rd Port Hood, Nova Scotia

(902) 631-3525

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Invest Nova Scotia – Cape Breton

Invest Nova Scotia helps Cape Breton start-ups grow stronger, faster. We have entrepreneur-in-residence, acceleration programs, training opportunities, a makerspace, mentorship and networking events. Invest Nova Scotia collaborates with Cape Breton Partnership, Cape Breton University, Navigate, NSCC, NRC and Propel ICT to ensure Momentum delivers support Cape Breton start-ups need.

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Bob Pelley

902-564-2951 (ext 1)

902-577-2689

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Mi’kmaw Economic Benefits Office

The mandate of the Mi’kmaw Economic Benefits Office (MEBO) is to maximize the employment and contract opportunities for indigenous community members in Unama’ki (Cape Breton).  We achieve this by continually expanding our broad network of industry partners across all sectors. MEBO supports the growth of businesses as well as aspiring entrepreneurs in the establishment of new businesses. We can help with: providing training workshops assistance preparing funding applications business plan development

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Alex Paul

201 Churchill Dr Suite 201, Membertou, NS B1S 0H1

902-562-4700

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NSCC – Your Entrepreneurial Self Program

NSCC Entrepreneurship provides entrepreneurial skill awareness and development opportunities for students, faculty and staff. Programs and services include:

Free Entrepreneurial Resources including workshops, presentations, activities, lesson plans, templates, toolkits
Business Counselling –One-on-one business counselling for students, staff and faculty who are interested in starting a business or want to take their existing businesses to the next level. Guidance offered for business plan development, marketing, HR, government regulations and financing.
Curriculum Consulting – One-on-one curriculum consulting and support to integrate entrepreneurship into the classroom (integrating tools such as the business model canvas, business plans, software and activities)
College Wide Activities – entrepreneurial activities for students, staff and faculty including challenges, contests and competitions and professional development opportunities
Community Connections – Entrepreneurial Service Providers and Community Resources – we work with other entrepreneurial service providers and connect students/staff to relevant resources and supports, workshops and training events, available in our communities

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Sheri Williams

902-491-8869

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Strait Area Chamber of Commerce

SACOC provides unique opportunities for businesses to promote and develop through advertising, seminars, trade shows, networking and events. It also provides access to member discounts on business expenses such as group insurance, point of sale systems, advertising, etc., in addition to 15-20 training courses each year to help businesses be more efficient and grow. SACOC annually hosts a “Small Business Road Show” that engages SMEs and service providers in rural communities across rural Cape Breton. The objective is to build awareness of the many services provided to SMEs and new entrepreneurs. SACOC periodically hosts women leadership events that provide networking and skill development opportunities for women in business and leadership.

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Amanda Mombourquette

902-625-1588

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Access Nova Scotia

Access Nova Scotia provides answers to questions about doing business in Nova Scotia. Its service locations and online services provide the following: Information on planning, starting, operating and ending your business Research on existing businesses Registering your business Apply, pay for and renew permits and licenses Learn about provincial tax rates and regulations

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Sydney: 1-800-670-4357

Port Hawkesbury: 1-800-670-4357

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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

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Cindy Allen

Communications Officer

902-426-6286

1-877-456-6500

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Aquaculture Association of Nova Scotia

The Aquaculture Association of Nova Scotia Research and Development Initiative offers support the development and growth of aquaculture sector. The AANS plays an important role in supporting the development and growth of the aquaculture industry, all species(finfish, shellfish and seaweed). The AANS develops, manages, supports and leads multiple R&D initiatives that address the priorities identified for the sector.

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Tom Smith

902-422-6234

rdc@seafarmers.ca

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BDC- Market Research and Statistics

Find information that can help you make informed decisions and maximize the potential of your business. Learn more about your industry, as well as current and potential customers, competitors, and markets.   Conducting market research – Learn more about market research, how it can improve your business decisions, and how to conduct a market research campaign. Industry sector data – Find statistics that can help you better understand your industry, and study the latest trends that could impact your business. General research and statistics – Discover resources available through Canada Business Network Service centres, Statistics Canada, Canada’s government libraries and the United Nations.

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BIONOVA – BIC Junior

BioNova’s BioInnovation Challenge Junior (BIC Junior) inspires Nova Scotia’s high school and first year post-secondary students to create a business idea for the Health and Life Sciences sector that has real commercialization potential. With the support and guidance of BioNova and Junior Achievement of Nova Scotia (JA Nova Scotia), students are given the knowledge and skills necessary to create their business idea and pitch it to a panel of judges during BioPort. For many participants, this will be greatly influential to mapping out their future career.

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Scott Moffitt

902-421-5705

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BIONOVA – Financial BioBusiness Accelerator Program (BAP)

BioNova’s BAP program is a suite of individual program initiatives that are assembled based on the present day needs of the local life science community. The program has an over-arching goal to move businesses down the commercialization pathway faster to get technologies and products to the market sooner. The suite of programs offered include: Investor Kit Program Photography Portfolio Project Investor Pitch Training Specific Consulting Engagements Business Development Assistance and Consulting Reimbursement Assessments

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Scott Moffitt

902-421-5705

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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

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Scott Moffitt

902-421-5705

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Business Navigators

Our Business Navigators can give you personalized and timely help with regulation and requirements, including registration, permit and licences. They can help free up your time so you can focus on your job: building a successful business. Nova Scotia’s business navigators help business owners with business needs such as:

Registering a business
Determining what permits and licenses are required to operate a business
Understanding applicable inspection requirements
Finding resources to assist with financing, taxes, staffing and other needs

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1-844-628-7347 (1-844-NAV-REGS)

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Cape Breton Music Industry Cooperative

The Cape Breton Music Industry Cooperative (CBMIC) supports members of the Cape Breton music industry by providing them with the training, information and resources needed to establish themselves as viable industry professionals and to succeed in business. Throughout the year, CBMIC offers:

Business development workshops for new and existing musicians
Collaborates with partners to host business-to-business meetings for Cape Breton musicians with incoming buyer delegations during the East Coast Music Week, Nova Scotia Music Week and Celtic Colours
Hosts showcases where Cape Breton artists can apply to participate
Offers the Product Development Program to offer a funding assistance program to Cape Breton artists who are planning on recording new music product for the purposes of artist development and export growth opportunities. Potential eligible costs under this program are studio prep and recording time, engineers, producers, equipment rental, studio musicians, mixing, mastering, video production, editing project and art work both digital and print

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Duane Nardoccio

(902) 577-2547

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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.

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Tyler Mattheis

President & CEO

902-562-0122

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