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

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.

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

Cape Breton University-Startup Cape Breton

Startup Cape Breton is an event that happens several times per year in CBU’s Verschuren Centre and is open to the public. Startup Cape Breton was created to promote entrepreneurship on the island by exploring new opportunities in technology, business, and education, and features speakers from Cape Breton, Atlantic Canada, and outside the region. Startup Cape Breton aims to support and promote the emerging startup community on the island, to help it capitalize on its strengths in creativity and human resources with a goal that the island be home to hundreds of startups. Plans are underway to grow the concept from an event to a social hub, with more frequent and various programming.

Capital Investment Tax Credit

The Nova Scotia Capital Investment Tax Credit (CITC) is a refundable corporate income tax credit claimed by eligible corporations for capital equipment acquired for use in Nova Scotia on or after January 1, 2015. The capital equipment must be acquired as part of an “approved project”. The rate of the tax credit is 15 per cent of the capital cost of “qualified property” acquired in a taxation year, with a maximum tax credit of $30 million per “approved project.” Find the guidelines here: https://www.novascotia.ca/finance/site-finance/media/finance/CITC_Guidelines.pdf  

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.

CBDC – Social Enterprise Loan

CBDC Social Enterprise Loans and financing is available to non-profits, including charities, cooperatives or societies in need of business support (in the form of a loan or loan guarantee). Financing will be used to buy assets, renovate existing ones or to expand a social enterprise. CBDC Social Enterprise Loans are specifically intended to provide financial support for revenue generating business operations of officially registered non-profit organizations. The CBDC offers loans of up to $150,000 per eligible applicant. (Loans are repayable with competitive interest rates and repayment terms).

The Social Enterprise Loan may be used to purchase machinery, equipment or other items necessary for continued business operations. Loan amortizations of up to ten years are available. This is based on the life expectancy of the asset(s) the Social Enterprise is using the funds to acquire.

CBDC First-Time Entrepreneur Loan

If you’re a new entrepreneur and live in a rural community in Atlantic Canada, you may be eligible for a First-Time Entrepreneur Loan from your Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC). This loan offers up to $150,000* to qualified borrowers and is available to sole proprietors, limited companies and partnerships (when majority control is resides with the new entrepreneur). First-Time Entrepreneur Loans are repayable, but have competitive interest rates and repayment terms. Financing may be term or demand loans, a loan guarantees, or equity investments.

CBDC General Business Loan

From small businesses to even larger ones, there are many times when a business may need a loan. Perhaps you need to procure new machinery or equipment? Maybe it’s time to upgrade your facilities or buildings. Or perhaps a loan is the only way for you to improve or expand your business to tap new market opportunities. Banks and other traditional lending institutions can often be unavailable to you. The most flexible business loan we offer, the CBDC General Business Loan was made just for these situations.

Loans up to $150,000* may be available to eligible applicants. All loans are repayable and offer competitive repayment terms and interest rates. Financing can include a demand or term loan, a loan guarantee, or equity investment.
Loans will be secured, and can be from one to ten years, giving you the chance to develop your business while being free from financial burden.

CBDC Innovation Loan

The loan is designed to encourage business productivity and effectiveness in the communities of rural Atlantic Canada. New technologies may include existing methods that have been adapted or repurposed for commercial applications. The loan could also be used for financing for new products or services and training, as well as financial support. CBDC offers up to $150,000 per qualified borrower. All loans are repayable and have competitive interest rates and repayment terms. Financial options include term loan and demand loans, loan guarantees or equity investments.

CBDC Innovation Loans may be used for a variety of things: the acquisition of equipment, software, processes or licenses, and other things that are clearly defined as “new” technology that will improve business operations. Expenses for infrastructure changes or installation, as well as maintenance due to implementation and utilization of new technology also qualify. We can also assist with costs for training employees in the application and use of the new technology.