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

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Cape Breton

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency works to create opportunities for economic growth in Atlantic Canada by helping businesses become more competitive, innovative and productive, by working with diverse communities to develop and diversify local economies, and by championing the strengths of Atlantic Canada. Together, with Atlantic Canadians, they are building a stronger economy.

READ MORE

70 Crescent Street, Canada, Nova Scotia, Sydney, B1P 6T7

(902) 564-3600

Visit website

Business Development Bank of Canada

A financial institution owned by the Government of Canada, BDC supports more than 42,000 small and medium-sized enterprises across the country, complementing services available from private-sector financial institutions. BDC offers business loans and advisory services to help Canadian businesses grow, both at home and abroad. Through their subsidiary- BDC Capital, they also offer a full spectrum of specialized financing, including venture capital, equity as well as growth and business transition capital.

READ MORE

Johnathan MacNeil

Senior Account Manager

275 Charlotte Street, Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 1C6

(902) 564-7706

Visit website

Cape Breton Capital Group

The purpose of the Cape Breton Capital Group (CBCG) is to bring together a group of experienced Cape Breton entrepreneurs and investors to seek out investment opportunities that will help established businesses maintain local ownership and seed new companies based on Cape Breton Island.

READ MORE

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.

READ MORE

Stephanie Dupuis

Craft Business Development Coordinator

322 Charlotte Street Sydney, Nova Scotia

902-539-7491

Visit website

Cape Breton Centre For Craft and Design – Brand Development

Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design (CBCCD) may provide financial assistance to Cape Breton craft producers who wish to develop branding or further develop existing branding to meet current market demands. The level of non-repayable assistance will be up to 75% of costs to a maximum of $2000.    The eligible costs include direct costs associated with the development of branding such as brand development and the design of new labeling for a product.

READ MORE

Stephanie Dupuis

322 Charlotte Street, Sydney

902-539-7491 (ext 115)

Visit website

Cape Breton Partnership – Business Services

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

READ MORE

Shannon MacNeil

(902) 562-0122

Visit website

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.

READ MORE

Patricia MacNeil

Executive Director

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

(902) 539-4332

Visit website

East Coast Credit Union

At East Coast Credit Union, members are customers and owners. It’s a better relationship that ensures your needs come first. East Coast Credit Union members take control of their own financial future. As an owner with East Coast, members have access to all of our products and services. Chequing/savings accounts, loans, mortgages, MasterCard® & Choice Rewards products, RRSPs, RESPs, GICs, retirement planning and so much more. Members have access to accounts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through ATM & Internet banking or for those who prefer a little face-to-face you can stop by the branch during regular business hours.

READ MORE

Corporate Office 257 Main Street Antigonish, Nova Scotia B2G 2C1

1 (902) 747-3142

Visit website

Invest Nova Scotia

At Invest Nova Scotia we are working towards a strong, thriving and globally competitive Nova Scotia through attracting global investment to create new jobs across the province and working with companies in all communities to be more successful exporters. We can help you get there from here. With extensive industry and market expertise, we are passionate about helping Nova Scotia companies discover new exporting opportunities. Make Nova Scotia your business solution. If you are not yet familiar with our province, allow us to show you why our talent, geographic location, reputation, and research and development are attracting world-leading companies to establish operations here. You may also be interested in our Industrial Lands that offer access to shipping, logistics and distribution of your products.

READ MORE

Wanda MacLean

Regional Business Development Advisor

902-227-7144

Visit website

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

READ MORE

Alex Paul

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

902-562-4700

Visit website

Fisheries and Aquaculture Company Loan Programs

The Fisheries and Aquaculture Loan Board assists fishers with financial resources. The board currently holds loans for more $110 million to support the fisheries and aquaculturists. The Board provides loans with a competitive interest rate. Loan amortization schedules for borrowers vary based on the project, ranging from 1-20 years. Companies can apply to the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture for a number of purchases, including: New vessels Used vessels License Engine equipment modifications Bait freezer Extras Adam Mugridge Cape Breton East – Cape Breton/Victoria Counties 902-563-3435 Adam.mugridge@novascotia.ca

READ MORE

Nicole Sampson

Cape Breton West – Inverness/Richmond

902-631-1476

Visit website

Fisheries and Oceans Canada- Atlantic Fisheries Fund

The Atlantic Fisheries Fund is intended to help Canada’s fish and seafood sector to transition to meet the growing demand for seafood globally. Its aim is to bring high value, high quality and sustainable products to markets at home and around the world. The Atlantic component of the fund applies to Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. It supports: innovation to encourage new products and technologies infrastructure to encourage capital investments in new products, processes or technologies science partnerships between industry, academia, and other research institutions to improve our knowledge Applications will be accepted until all available funding for the fiscal year has been allocated to projects. Funding will become available again in the next fiscal year.

READ MORE

1-844-795-9718

Visit website

GAC – Going Global Innovation

The Going Global Innovation (GGI) program is specifically designed to promote and enhance Canada’s international innovation efforts. The program supports innovators who aim to commercialize technology by pursuing collaborative international research and development (R&D) opportunities through partnerships with key players in foreign markets. Eligible beneficiaries are innovators from Canadian small or medium size enterprises, academic Institutions and nongovernment research centres. GGI provides assistance by funding up to 75% of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $75,000 for any approved project. Eligible expenses may include: international and local travel, accommodation, meals, meeting costs, legal fees to support the formalization of partnership agreements, and other costs related to pursuing international collaboration.

READ MORE

Christine Smith

902-426-6660

Visit website

Global Affairs Canada – Business Women in International Trade

The Business Women in International Trade (BWIT) program of the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) helps open doors and opportunities for Canadian women-owned businesses to successfully expand into global markets. BWIT works with Canadian businesses that are at least 51% owned, as well as managed and controlled by one or more women. It can connect you with export advice and support by introducing you to trade commissioners in more than 160 cities worldwide and offers: Women-focused trade missions Funding and financing Exporting advice and support International contacts and opportunities

READ MORE
Visit website

Global Affairs Canada – CanExport

CanExport SMEs provides financial assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) registered in Canada to help them develop export opportunities for their product or service in new international markets. The program is delivered by the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) of Global Affairs Canada, in partnership with the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP).

READ MORE

Christine Smith

902-426-6660

Visit website

Global Affairs Canada – Trade Missions

Canada Trade Missions provide access to resources from Canada’s export agencies, and present unique opportunities and benefits to participants. During the trade missions companies will participate in: Business to business meetings Business briefings Market and sector presentations/discussions Site visits (when possible) Networking events Face-time with the minister or senior government officials

READ MORE

Christine Smith

902-426-6660

Visit website

Independent Production Fund (IPF)

The Independent Production Fund was established in 1991 to provide financial support for dramatic television and web series created by Canadian independent producers. The web drama series program provides equity financing for content creators of original Canadian drama series created for the web or mobile platforms. The IPF also administers the Bell Fund and the Cogeco Media Fund.

READ MORE

416.977.8966

Visit website

Indigenous Community Support Fund

The health, safety and well-being of all people in Canada, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples is and will remain a top priority for all. Canada recognizes that First Nations, Inuit and Métis are among the most at-risk and that during this crisis. In particular, those in remote and fly-in only parts of the country are uniquely vulnerable. Communities are incredibly resilient and full of solutions and innovative ideas. This is why we must support distinctions-based measures to improve public health response for Indigenous communities and provide them with the flexibility they need to address the specific needs identified by communities and their members. This fund provides Indigenous leadership and organizations with the flexibility needed to design and implement community-based solutions to prevent, prepare and respond to the spread of COVID-19 within their communities. These funds can be used for measures including, but not limited to: preparedness measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 mental health assistance and emergency response services support for Elders and vulnerable community members measures to address food insecurity, such as support for the purchase, transportation and distribution of food, and access to traditional foods through hunting and fishing in the event of outbreaks educational and other support for children The request process for needs-based support is open and Indigenous communities and organizations can request funding now for funding covering the period until March 31, 2023. For formula-based funding allocated directly to First Nation, Inuit and Métis Nation communities, there is no deadline or request process. Direct allocations flow through existing agreements.

READ MORE

PO Box 160, 40 Havelock St., Amherst NS, B4H 3Z3

902-661-6209

Visit website

Industry Driven Research and Innovation Program 2019-2020

The Industry Driven Research and Innovation program supports industry-led research and development projects that can improve profitability, competitiveness, sustainability, self-sufficiency, and comparative advantage of Nova Scotia’s diverse agriculture and agri-food sector.

READ MORE

Gary Koziel

902-563-2000

902-565-8132


Innovation Mobilization Program

Industry can collaborate with Springboard network members in order to access funding (applications for the IM Program must be submitted by a Springboard Atlantic member to qualify for funding). Funding categories include:

Industry Engagement:connects skilled professionals in academia with like-minded contacts in industry to drive new collaborations and support research commercialization in Atlantic Canada.
Proof of Concept:support for developing early stage ideas, from a lab bench to a working prototype or equivalent (e.g. software beta).
Patent and Legal:support for the assessment and protection of ideas with commercial potential. All forms of intellectual property are eligible e.g. patents, industry designs, copyright, trademarking etc.
Marketing Support:validate the commercial potential of an idea. This funding supports market assessment and prototype development.

READ MORE

902-421-5678

Visit website