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.

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 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

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.

READ MORE

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

+1 888-959-9995

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

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

READ MORE

Kim Desveaux

Navigate 37 Nepean Street, Sydney

(902)-217-2092

Visit website

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

READ MORE

Damian MacInnis

151 Little Mabou Rd Port Hood, Nova Scotia

(902) 631-3525

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

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.

READ MORE

Bob Pelley

902-564-2951 (ext 1)

902-577-2689

Visit website

Perennia Training Services

Perennia’s team develops and delivers workshops, field days, tours, short courses, training sessions and conferences, often in partnership with industry or government. Perennia has a number of workshops and training topics that can be customized or delivered by our specialists and associates to your group, agency or company.

READ MORE

902-896-8782

Visit website

Screen Nova Scotia

Screen Nova Scotia is a not-for-profit membership organization representing over 2,000 people working in film, television and animation across the province. Membership includes producers, service providers, local cast and crew, unions and guilds, and industry organizations.  Screen Nova Scotia works with and advocates on behalf of the screen-based industry in Nova Scotia to build long-term economic and cultural sustainability of the sector, and to create opportunities for the film, television, and digital media content creators based in the province. Services provided for include business development training, attendance at conferences and trade missions, research and information on funding programs provided by various partners.

READ MORE

Laura Mackenzie

902-405-1499

Visit website

TIANS – One-on-One Tourism Mentorship Program

TIANS offers the Mentorship Program for Nova Scotia Tourism Operators – The mentorship program matches experienced Tourism Industry operators who are willing and able to share their expertise with their Industry colleagues.

READ MORE

Darlene Grant Fiander

902-423-4480

Visit website

TIANS – Technology Project

TIANS offers the technology product program for operators looking to more effectively market your business online, but don’t know where to start, or just need some extra assistance? We’ve got the solution!  TIANS is offering the following assistance: Tailored one-on-one mentoring meetings Technology workshops and webinars On-going resource for tourism operators

READ MORE

Darlene Grant Fiander

902-423-4480


Tourism Nova Scotia – Business Development

Tourism Nova Scotia’s Business Development team works with new and existing tourism operators to identify compelling business opportunities and provide coaching aligned with our target markets, based on research and market intelligence.   For New & Existing Accommodations: Nick Fry nick.fry@novascotia.ca

READ MORE

Jennifer McKeane

902-717-3623


Tourism Nova Scotia – Sector Development

The Experience Development team is focused on the development of new world-class experiences, primarily in partnership with the private sector. Strong emphasis is placed on using market research and insights to initiate and influence development of experiences that will appeal to our visitors.

READ MORE

Heather Yule

902-471-5304

Visit website

Ulnooweg Aboriginal Business Financing Program

The Aboriginal Business Financing Program is administered by Ulnooweg and offers non-repayable business contributions to individual Aboriginal entrepreneurs and community owned businesses. Eligible applicants are individuals of Canadian Aboriginal status or non-status, Metis or Inuit Heritage (on or off reserve), living and operating their businesses within the Atlantic provinces. Aboriginal business and financial organizations, as well as development corporations are also eligible for contributions. Some of the eligible expenses for ABDP support are:

Business planning
Establishment and operating costs
Business acquisitions and expansions
Local, domestic or export oriented marketing initiatives
New product or process development
Adding technology to improve operations and competitiveness
Financial services, business support, business-related training and mentoring services

READ MORE

1-888-766-2376

902-893-7379

Visit website

Verschuren Centre

The Verschuren Centre is an industrial solutions, development and deployment centre directly engaged with, and responsive to, industry and economic development needs, providing opportunities for process and product development, technology improvement, and enhancements in sustainability. Its mission involves bridging engineering and scientific research into environmental, industrial and socioeconomic policy contexts that promote the adoption and effective application of innovation for large-scale positive impact.

READ MORE

Beth Mason

902-563-1182

Visit website

Viticulturist and Terroir Initiative

Perennia’s viticulturist, Francisco Diez, works directly with wineries to help them with their development goals, as the linkages between the vineyards and the wineries is really key to the overall industry’s success.  A key initiative is an assessment of the terroir of the province’s wine regions to determine the best management practices, preferred varieties, etc.  Please visit our viticulture and grape growing page, or contact:

READ MORE

Francisco Diez

Viticulturist

(902) 300-3905