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.

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

+1 888-959-9995

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Cape 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

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Laura Syms

MLIS

902-563-1994

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CBCL 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.

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Richard Morykot

Manager

(902) 539-1330

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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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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!

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37 Nepean St. Sydney NS B1P 6A7


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.

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Corporate Office 257 Main Street Antigonish, Nova Scotia B2G 2C1

1 (902) 747-3142

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Ethical 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!

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902-549-3773

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Export 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.

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1605-1969 Upper Water St. Tower 2 Halifax Nova Scotia B3J 3R7

(902) 450-7610

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Grant 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.

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Suite 200 - 500 George St Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 4K6

(902) 562-558

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A Guide for Canadian Companies – How the CPTPP Can Help Your Business Grow in Asia Pacific

This guide provides Canadian companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with an overview of CPTTP legislation affecting their exports to the Asia Pacific.

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Trade Policy and Negotiations – Asia Division (TCA)

Global Affairs Canada

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Access Nova Scotia

Access Nova Scotia provides answers to questions about doing business in Nova Scotia. Its service locations and online services provide the following: Information on planning, starting, operating and ending your business Research on existing businesses Registering your business Apply, pay for and renew permits and licenses Learn about provincial tax rates and regulations

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Sydney: 1-800-670-4357

Port Hawkesbury: 1-800-670-4357

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Access Nova Scotia – Debtor Assistance

To make an assignment in bankruptcy or a proposal, one must engage a professional bankruptcy trustee. They are listed in the Yellow Pages and in the website of their professional organization

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Access NS-Registry of Joint Stock Companies

If you want to operate a business in Nova Scotia you must register it with the Registry of Joint Stock Companies, with three exceptions: Corporations or partnerships/businesses registered in New Brunswick Individuals or partners who use their own names, without a descriptive element or attachment, such as “and Associates” Farming or fishing partnerships The first step is searching and reserving a business name. Registration fees and procedures will vary depending on the type of business.

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Access NS-Taxes

This site provides guidance and resources to help you determine which taxes apply to your business.

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ACOA Business Information Services

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) is here for you. Our Business Information Services team can help you figure out your next steps and find what you need to start or grow your business. Who we are Our one-stop information shop is free of charge and available in both official languages. We’re ready to answer your business questions and guide you through the steps to take to make your great ideas a reality. From funding to planning, from research to regulations, if there’s something you need to run your business, look no further! What we do Business support is what we know. We can give you information on: business planning – get personalized advice no matter how far along you are. financing – learn about different funding options (loans, grants, wage subsidies, COVID-19 relief, etc.). government regulations – learn about taxes, permits, licences, and more to make sure you’re operating legally. imports and exports – find out how to move goods and services across the Canadian border. reliable market research information – access research on the topics you need: Demographics (e.g., age, household income, marital status, etc.) Potential competitors Suppliers and distributors Industry performance International market and industry data Financial benchmarking specific to your industry Consumer trends Import and export statistics

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Cindy Allen

Communications Officer

902-426-6286

1-877-456-6500

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ACOA – Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF)

The AIF encourages partnerships among private sector firms, co-operatives, universities, colleges and other research institutions to develop and commercialize new or improved products and services. Helps Atlantic Canadian companies develop innovative new products and services and then take them to market.

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Joe Cashin

Director of Commercial Accounts

70 Crescent Street, Canada, Nova Scotia, Sydney, B1P 6T7

902-564-3600

1-800-705-3926

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ACOA – Business Development Program

The BDP can help you expand or modernize your business. It can also provide funding to develop your innovative ideas, improve your competitiveness, and develop clean technology projects. Designed to assist with the financing of your project, focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The program offers access to interest free repayable assistance.

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Joe Cashin

Director of Commercial Accounts

70 Crescent Street, Canada, Nova Scotia, Sydney, B1P 6T7

902-564-3600

1-800-705-3926

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ACOA – Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI)

Funding offered under the REGI Business Scale-up and Productivity stream helps businesses to accelerate their growth and adopt innovative technologies. Business Scale Up and Productivity support is available for ambitious companies in need of growth funding. Funding offered under REGI helps businesses to accelerate their growth and assists with the adoption of innovative technologies that support scale-up, productivity and global competitiveness as well as the development of and entry into new markets.

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Joe Cashin

902-564-3600

1-800-705-3926

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Atlantic Chamber of Commerce: Opportunities for Atlantic Canada SMEs in the EU Government Procurement Market (January 2017)

ACC’s report Opportunities for Atlantic Canada SMEs in the EU Government Procurement Market provides detailed information about the nature of new regulations that will come into force under CETA, strategies for entering European public markets, and information on government procurement (past and future) that local businesses can use to assess new opportunities to expand trade. Research for the report was provided by EY Canada with financial support from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

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