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 MORE

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

+1 888-959-9995

Visit website

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

READ MORE

Laura Syms

MLIS

902-563-1994

Visit website

CBBC Career College

The College offers 11 programs at 2 facilities, employs approximately 35 staff and faculty members, and educates over 350 students annually. They have continued the legacy of CBBC’s founders by offering leading-edge curriculum that prepares students to be successful in an ever-changing job market. CBBC has grown to become one of Nova Scotia’s leaders in post-secondary education.

READ MORE

315 Jamieson St. Sydney, NS B1N 3B1

(902) 564-2222

Visit website

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.

READ MORE

Richard Morykot

Manager

(902) 539-1330

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

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 MORE

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.

READ MORE

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

1 (902) 747-3142

Visit website

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!

READ MORE

902-549-3773

Visit website

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.

READ MORE

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

(902) 450-7610

Visit website

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.

READ MORE

Gordie McGean

Executive Director

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

(902) 736-6211

Visit website

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.

READ MORE

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.

READ MORE

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.

READ MORE

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.

READ MORE

CBDC InRich

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. Since 1981, InRich CBDC has been providing valuable business development services to both Inverness and Richmond Counties on beautiful Cape Breton Island. We are proud of our clients and their accomplishments, assisting over 1,400 businesses with start-up and expansions, supporting many various sectors and industries to grow and prosper. If you are interested in knowing more of this beautiful area and our many business opportunities please call us. We would be pleased to talk business with you.

READ MORE

Perry Chandler

CEO

15381 Hwy 19 Inverness

(902) 258-3698

Visit website

CBDC Youth Loan

Young entrepreneurs aged 18-34 know that getting a loan to start a new business can be challenging. Our Youth Loan program offers young entrepreneurs (18-34) access to the capital they need for business startup, expansion or modernization. It’s available as a repayable loan with competitive interest rates and repayment terms.

READ MORE

CBDC- Entrepreneurial Training Fund (ETF)

CBDC offers individualized training opportunities to existing clients as well as group training to clients and other small business owners. Eligible training and counselling activities may include:

Training courses offered via the Internet or correspondence
University courses (excluding full-time studies)
Training seminars offered by business support or business development organizations or associations
Hiring a qualified consultant to provide business skills training that result in the transfer of knowledge or skills from the consultant to the client
Business skills training and counselling designed to enhance the client’s overall knowledge in business related skills
Costs associated with providing business skills training to potential entrepreneurs and/or existing entrepreneurs

READ MORE

CBDC-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

READ MORE

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 MORE

Karen Neville

CBRM Heritage Officer

(902) 563-5088

Visit website