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

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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Micro-Loan Program

Under the Micro-Loan Program, women+ entrepreneurs from across Unama’ki – Cape Breton will be eligible to apply for a loan of up to $10,000. The Micro-Loan Program is made possible by the partnership and participation of the Cape Breton Partnership, Sydney Credit Union, East Coast Credit Union, Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Strait Area Chamber of Commerce, Centre for Women in Business, and Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development.

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902-562-0122

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Nova Scotia Community College- Marconi Campus

Located in Sydney, the Marconi Campus offers a range of programs and a friendly learning atmosphere. Students enjoy plenty of open space with comfy seating, quiet study areas, wireless access and computer labs. The campus business centre serves as an incubator for small businesses and provides opportunities for students to work part-time in their field of study, and build their portfolio. It also provides the resources to help them develop their own small business ideas. A new trades wing features shop space, classrooms, offices and a green design, meeting Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.

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1240 Grand Lake Road Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 6J7

902-563-2450

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Nova Scotia Community College-Strait Area

Located in Port Hawkesbury, the Strait Area Campus offers an extensive range of programs. The Campus is home to the Nautical Institute that provides Transport Canada-approved marine training. Facilities for marine training include a wave tank, fire training centre and state-of-the-art simulators for propulsion systems, navigation and global communications. Students enjoy a spacious and friendly campus environment, amazing outdoor spaces and trails, as well as excellent recreation fitness and entertainment services that are offered in the area year-round. The Strait Area Campus also offers programs in Wagmatcook First Nation at the renovated Wagmatcook Learning Centre.

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226 Reeves Street Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia B9A 2A2

902-625-2380

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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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Tanya Felix

902-625-1588

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TD Bank Financial Group

As a top 10 North American bank, TD aims to stand out from its peers by having a differentiated brand – anchored in our proven business model, and rooted in a desire to give our customers, communities and colleagues the confidence to thrive in a changing world. Our small business banking includes: Business Bank Account (Canadian and US Dollar) Merchant Solutions (Debit and Credit Processing) Business Credit Cards Payroll Services Cash flow management – Overdrafts and Lines of Credit

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Doug Arsenault

Account Manager-Small Business Banking

292 Charlotte Street, Sydney, Nova Scotia

902-539-3640 ext 300

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Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia (TIANS)

TIANS prides themselves as the champion of advocacy for tourism issues in Nova Scotia. By listening to their members, TIANS is fiercely working on their behalf with a passion for the tourism industry, sincere compassion for their well-being and the desire to advance change. In working with their partner associations and stakeholders, they ensure that they are involved in the development of the tourism industry at the regional, provincial, and national levels.

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2089 Maitland Street Halifax, Nova Scotia B3K 2Z8

902-423-4480

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Virtual Adviser Program

Get one-on-one support from an experienced business adviser. Our free Virtual Adviser Program powered by BoomersPlus.com will match you with a seasoned professional to help you solve a unique challenge your business is facing during this difficult time. The program is available to businesses operating in Cape Breton. The Virtual Adviser Program is powered by BoomersPlus.com which specializes in matching organizations with seasoned talent to fill project or term roles. Their network includes thousands of professionals, managers and executives ready to share their experience and expertise.

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Shannon McNeil

Business Planning Advisor

285 Alexandra Street, Sydney, NS,

902-562-0122

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C100

C100 is a community of influential Canadians in technology who are committed to supporting, inspiring, and connecting the most promising Canadian entrepreneurial leaders. We connect experienced entrepreneurs, executives of technology companies, and venture capital investors with the purpose of accelerating Canada’s innovation economy. C100 is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with members across the major technology hubs of the US, Canada, and beyond.

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Canadian Entrepreneurs in New England (CENE)

CENE (Canadian Entrepreneurs in New England) is an independent nonprofit membership organization managed by a Board of Directors and staff. We collaborate closely with the Consulate General of Canada in Boston and we share the common goal of accelerating Canadian entrepreneurship. This program engages volunteer mentors to support the companies that participate in the CTA (Canadian Technology Accelerator), which is operated by the Consulate. Now, CENE also offers more mentoring opportunities through our other True North partnerships with organizations such as BDC in support of Canadian entrepreneurs.

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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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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.

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Robyn Lee Seale

902-562-0122

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Cape Breton Partnership – Safety First

The Safety First Network will demonstrate Leadership by providing safe work environments for employees, distributing online newsletters to share with industry about safety related topics, highlight the work of the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education and the Workers Compensation Board of Nova Scotia and showcase the safety champions in the Cape Breton region.

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Stephanie MacLean

902-562-0122

connector@capebretonpartnership.com

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Cape Breton Partnership-Creative Economy

The creative economy extends beyond the culture sector to harness creativity in order to bring about positive social and economic changes across a broad spectrum of industries, sectors and organizations. The Cape Breton Regional Municipality is supporting initiatives to grow the creative economy in our region.

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Erin Flynn

902-202-4493


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

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Shannon MacNeil

902-562-0122

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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.

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Todd Graham

902-565-9004

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Cape Breton University – Office of Research and Graduate Studies

Programs and supports offered include: Provides mentoring and supports to entrepreneurs seeking assistance and mentoring around how to start and grow their business Develops and manages research partnerships between various academic units and entrepreneurs Works with companies to help them access students, faculty experts, research departments and specialized equipment for R&D projects through fully funded programs such as Springboard, NRCIRAP, Mitacs, NSERC, Engage, Innovation and Productivity Vouchers, etc. Works with companies to help them access students, faculty experts, research departments and specialized equipment for R&D projects Provides companies with training and mentoring services through targeted workshops, one-on-one meetings, guest speakers, industry sessions, specialized sector meeting and other industry – university collaborative opportunities

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Sarah Conrod

902-563-1842

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CBDC – Northside Victoria

As CBDCs, we assist in the creation of small businesses and in the expansion and modernization of existing businesses by providing financial and technical services to entrepreneurs. 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. In Nova Scotia, there are 13 CBDCs offering financial, training and advisory services to entrepreneurs. The CBDCs work collectively through the Nova Scotia Association of CBDCs, an umbrella organization that supports the common needs of the CBDCs. CBDCs share best practices promote entrepreneurship and deliver provincial initiatives such as Students in Business and the Youth Internship Program.

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Gordie McGean

Executive Director

1 Fraser Avenue, Suite 7 Sydney Mines, NS B1V 2Y4

(902) 736-6211

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