The following companies/organizations are Investors of the Cape Breton Partnership and offer services specific to business development.
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 MORE1250 Grand Lake Rd. Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada B1M 1A2
+1 888-959-9995
registrar@cbu.ca
Visit websiteCape Breton University Library – Business Resources
Cape Breton University provides a variety of free research to business seeking to find information on starting and growing their companies. Some of the research that can be accessed at CBU includes: Canadian social and economic data Company information Industry information Country information
READ MORECBCL Ltd.
CBCL Limited provides professional consulting engineering and environmental services in the Municipal Services, Water & Wastewater, Buildings, Industry & Manufacturing, Energy & Power, Oil & Gas, Marine, Transportation & Bridges and Environment & Planning sectors.
READ MORECBDC – 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 MOREPatricia MacNeil
Executive Director
292 Charlotte Street Suite 100 Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 1C7
(902) 539-4332
patricia.macneil@cbdc.ca
Visit websiteCentre 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
Collegio Technologies Inc.
Collegio is focused on providing educational opportunities to organizations and entrepreneurs. They provide digital skills training to help you and your business succeed in today’s competitive landscape. If you want to learn how to update your WordPress site, launch an e-commerce venture, utilize search engine optimization techniques, or polish up on your React skills, they can provide you with training opportunities to help you thrive in the digital age. They can teach you how!
READ MORE37 Nepean St. Sydney NS B1P 6A7
info@collegio.ca
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 MORECorporate Office 257 Main Street Antigonish, Nova Scotia B2G 2C1
1 (902) 747-3142
eastcoast@creditu.ca
Visit websiteEthical Swag
Ethical Swag makes sure your promotional products do what they were intended to do – Get you remembered for all the right reasons! We only work with suppliers that have passed audits related to social compliance, environmental impact, product safety, supply chain security and product quality. Your logo + our products = higher recall and connection to your brand. We are refining the way people experience brands with transparency and cool products!
READ MOREExport Development Canada
Export Development Canada is Canada’s export credit agency. Their job is to support and develop Canada’s export trade by helping Canadian companies respond to international business opportunities. They’re a self-financing, Crown corporation that operates at arm’s length from the Government. They provide insurance and financial services, bonding products and small business solutions to Canadian exporters and investors and their international buyers. They also support Canadian direct investment abroad and investment into Canada. In 2016, they helped more than 7,150 Canadian companies do business in over 200 countries. The majority of these companies were small business, and more than 30 per cent of this business was conducted in fast-growing emerging markets. Using their financial products and services, their customers’ export sales and investments totaled almost $99 billion. They estimate that this helped generate $63.9 billion of Canada’s GDP, contributed more than 4 cents for every dollar earned and helped sustain 525,400 jobs.
READ MORE1605-1969 Upper Water St. Tower 2 Halifax Nova Scotia B3J 3R7
(902) 450-7610
contactatlantic@edc.ca
Visit websiteGrant Thronton
Grant Thornton—a leading Canadian accounting and business advisory firm – and the largest accounting firm in Atlantic Canada – providing audit, tax and advisory services to private and public organizations. To complement our technical knowledge and expertise, we have professionals who are dedicated to developing in-depth industry knowledge. Together with the Quebec firm Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton LLP, we have approximately 4,000 people in offices across Canada. Grant Thornton LLP is a Canadian member of Grant Thornton International Ltd (Grant Thornton International). Grant Thornton International and the member firms are not a worldwide partnership. Services are delivered by the member firms independently.
READ MORESuite 200 - 500 George St Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 4K6
(902) 562-558
Sydney@GrantThornton.ca
Visit websiteCBDC-Self-Employment Benefits Program
The Self Employment Benefits (SEB) Program is designed to help participants to continue to receive their Employment Insurance Benefits while going through the process of launching a new business. SEA provides assistance in the form of coaching, on-going technical advice and financial support for a maximum of 52 weeks. If you are receiving or are eligible for Employment Insurance Benefits (EI), you can continue to receive these benefits for up to one year.
Services provided with the SEA program include:
Business plan guidance
Business training
Business counselling
CBRM Heritage Property Program
The CBRM is responsible for the Heritage Property Bylaw and for promotion of heritage conservation in our communities. CBRM Planning Department staff work closely with the Heritage Advisory Committee, a committee of Council that includes both elected Council members as well as citizens who are appointed by Council to serve on the Committee. The Objective of the Program is to encourage owners of registered municipal heritage properties to upgrade their properties in a manner that is consistent with the heritage value of the property as stated in the statement of significance for the property and the associated character defining elements. The incentive shall be 50% of the cost of the repairs or renovations up to a maximum of $12,000 per property. In the case of roof replacement and/or repair, the maximum grant shall be 30% of the cost up to a maximum of $6,000. In exceptional circumstances, the Committee may award a higher percentage of cost-sharing, as outlined in 4(c)
READ MORECBRM Tax Incentive for Downtowns and Business Parks
The Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) has a commercial tax incentive to promote downtown revitalization and business park development. The following development or renovations to commercial property are available: Tax assessment increases of $100,000 or more are eligible for up to ten years of tax reductions Tax assessment increases of less than $100,000 are eligible for up to five years of tax reductions Total tax reduction of up to 50% over the phase-in period are possible
READ MORETyler Matthais
President & CEO
285 Alexandra Street
902-562-0122
Tyler@capebretonpartnership.com
Visit websiteCentre for Women in Business
The Centre for Women in Business (CWB) is dedicated to helping women succeed as entrepreneurs through exposure, connection and learning. This includes providing one-on-one business advice, business skills training, trade missions, networking and a membership program designed to develop and support women in business. The CWB has a dedicated business advisor in Cape Breton with office hours in Sydney, Port Hawkesbury, Port Hood, and Chéticamp, Isle Madam and area.
READ MORECIBC Succession Planning
When considering business transition, a plan is key in ensuring you get a good price for your business, finding a good buyer (if selling), and completing a smooth transition to the new owner. A business transition plan has many benefits, regardless of the size of your business and what stage of the business cycle it’s in. An effective succession plan will help you: Arrange for the tax-effective transfer of your company’s ownership and management Maximize the value of your business before transition Structure a retirement income that meets your needs and maximize your financial security Protect against unforeseen events, including death and disability Accomplish the smooth transfer of your business
READ MORECME – Lead to Succeed Program
At CME, along with our partner ACHIEVEBLUE Corporation, our goal is to help our members make a difference in their businesses. CME’s new Lead to Succeed program helps leaders meet challenges head-on by: Focus their business on a compelling, measurable, strategic vision Develop the people management skills of their leaders Develop the organization’s business process improvement and innovation skills Increase the quality and output of cross-functional and intact teams Ensure front-line employees are not only kept informed, but kept inspired and engaged This program is available to CME members only: New managers Aspiring managers Organizations who wish to leverage internal talent
READ MOREMichael Raymond
902-422-4477
michel.raymond@cme-mec.ca
CME – Manufacturing Productivity Program
The Manufacturing Productivity Program is an initiative being offered to 32 N.S. qualifying companies looking to improve business performance through Lean productivity improvements. The program is designed to deploy dedicated Lean facilitators to deliver hands-on Lean training to all levels of employees within an organization. Participating companies are grouped into Lean leveraged learning networks according to geographic proximity
READ MORECME – Publications and Reports
CME is a provider of Information specifically undertaken and identified for Manufacturers including: Information on policy initiatives Information on economic outlooks Publications and reports
READ MORECME Training Within Industry: Job Instruction Program
Training Within Industry (TWI) is a dynamic program of hands-on learning and practice, teaching essential skills for supervisors, team leaders, and anyone who directs the work of others. TWI is an essential element of Lean and continuous improvement programs around the world. The JI module is delivered over 12 hours – 10 in classroom, plus 2 hours of one-on-one coaching in the process. Supervisors and experienced workers will know how to instruct the people doing their jobs. Once skilled in instruction, supervisors can develop a well-trained workforce, resulting in reduced defects, less scrap and rework, fewer accidents and less tool and equipment damage.
READ MORECo-operatives Information Guide
Canadian co-operatives operate in a variety of economic sectors such as agriculture, food, social services, retail and wholesale, fishing, energy, recreational services, and financial (including insurance). This information is meant to help entrepreneurs navigate the world of co-operatives. For general information on business start-up, consult the website sections on starting and planning.
READ MORE