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

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.

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Johnathan MacNeil

Senior Account Manager

275 Charlotte Street, Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 1C6

(902) 564-7706

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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.

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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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Cape Breton University

At Cape Breton University, we push the boundaries of innovation and thought leadership to create a global academic experience and build a sustainable future for our island. Surrounded by pristine natural landscape, vibrant culture, and welcoming communities, Cape Breton University (CBU) is home to nearly 7,000 students from more than 70 countries around the world. We are committed to the future of Cape Breton Island, innovative economic development and sustainability programs, and Indigenous learning leadership. CBU offers a comprehensive set of liberal arts, science, business, health and professional programs. As a university that is dedicated to excellence in teaching and learning, CBU provides students with the advantage of outstanding experiential learning and undergraduate research opportunities in a supportive academic environment. Our programs, in diverse fields of study, consistently rank well above the national averages in faculty-student interaction and service learning. Our people, our cultures, and our strong sense of community make Cape Breton University a special place.

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1250 Grand Lake Rd. Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada B1M 1A2

+1 888-959-9995

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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

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.

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Wanda MacLean

Regional Business Development Advisor

902-227-7144

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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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MEA – Activities/Training/Resources

The Maritimes Energy Association supports the maximization of Atlantic Canadian participation in the supply of both goods and services to meet the needs of the energy industry. Its purpose is to identify, promote and support the development of opportunities for member companies. It accomplishes this through its member activities and services, industry advocacy and policy research. This includes: Member activities Breakfasts Lunch and Learns Annual Energy Conference Daily Energy Bulletin

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Ray Ritcey

902-426-3182

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Mentoring

Gain valuable business advice, learn from the experience of a seasoned professional, enhance your business network and gain confidence from having someone in your corner.

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Mining Association of Nova Scotia

The Mining Association of Nova Scotia represents companies in all areas of mining and quarrying: exploration, discovery, development, production and reclamation as well as consultants and suppliers to the industry.

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Sean Kirby

902-820-2115

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Mining Society of Nova Scotia

To meet the needs of the mining, metallurgy, petroleum and related industries by providing quality services and value to the membership through: Technical forums Professional social networking Promoting industries Encouraging student understanding of the industry and commitment to the industry Recognition of excellence through awards and prizes Collaboration with other organizations of similar interests Representation to government on behalf of industry

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Florence Sigut

902- 567-2147

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Music Nova Scotia – Mentorship

The Mentorship Component supports up to a 75% level of Investment to a $15,000 maximum per applicant per deadline for developmental employment relationships between developing and export-ready artists/companies/entrepreneurs (Mentee) and mentors in which a more experienced music industry professional (Mentor) shares information, skills or knowledge and standards or best practices that will advance the applicant’s career, enhance their education and build their networks. The applicant (Mentee) should receive the primary benefit of the mentorship. Eligible applicants include Developing and Export Ready Artists/Companies/Entrepreneurs. It is mandatory that all applicants to the Mentorship stream contact the Program Manager in advance to discuss their mentorship project to ensure you and your proposed activity are eligible.

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Darryl Smith

902-423-6271 Ext. 107

902-800-2047

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National Research Council Canada – Youth Employment Programs

You could receive a financial contribution towards the salary of a post-secondary graduate to help you research, develop and commercialize new technologies, or to hire a youth to work on a green project. To be eligible, your business needs to:   Be incorporated and for-profit Share a portion of the salary costs Have 500 or fewer full-time employees Be ready to enhance its innovation capacity   The duration of the internship must be between 6 and 12 months for graduates and between 3 to 6 months for Youth-Green candidates. Candidates must be between the ages of 15 and 30.

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Steven Manley

902-270-3549

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Nova Scotia Department of Business

The Department of Business works with Crown corporations and special operating entities (Develop Nova Scotia, Invest Nova Scotia, and Tourism Nova Scotia) to develop plans, programs and policies that encourage entrepreneurship, help attract venture capital investment and grow sectors of the economy. We also work with other government departments and levels of government, universities, NSCC and the private and social enterprise sectors to create a shared strategy for business growth. working to help make Nova Scotia competitive and business-friendly administering the Invest Nova Scotia fund leading projects including rural internet, Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship (COVE) and the Halifax Convention Centre accountability reporting on the Nova Scotia Jobs Fund, Nova Scotia Fund, Strategic Investment Funds and Nova Scotia Film & Television Production Incentive Fund

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PO Box 2311 Halifax NS B3J 3C8


NSCC – Advisory Assistance for International Business/Marketing Plans

NSCC, Marconi Campus offers a Consulting Assistance Program where companies can hire a qualified consultant to work on international business/marketing plans. NSCC students can also assist with the development of international business and marketing plans free of charge.   

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Helen Graham

902-563-8045

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Ocean Technology Council of Nova Scotia

The Ocean Technology Council of Nova Scotia (OTCNS) is an industry association representing the ocean technology and industry sector in Nova Scotia. The mandate of the Council is to advance economic opportunities for Nova Scotia’s ocean technology companies.We accomplish this through member activities, learning sessions, workforce retention and training activities, supplier development events, strategic advocacy with respect to domestic and international supply chain opportunities, innovation and productivity improvement.

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Catherine MacDonald

902-223-3333

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Perennia – Small Farm Outreach Program

Nova Scotia has one of the highest numbers of small farms and new farm entrants in Canada. To connect these organic and conventional producers with the resources they need, and to answer basic production questions, Perennia offers information and workshops to address issues they may be challenged with. This program is aimed at those producers who grow crops or raise livestock on a scale where they just reach the threshold of being a registered farm ($10,000 in gross sales) but are seeking information to grow their farm business slowly since they may not have anyone working the farm full-time, or just starting their farm operation.

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Sarah Wood

(902) 896-0277

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