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

AgriMarketing Program: Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Component

The Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) Component provides targeted support to companies for international initiatives. All activities must promote international business development and must go beyond the applicant’s core activities and represent new initiatives that provide an opportunity to yield incremental results. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) funding for a project will normally not exceed $50,000 per fiscal year; and $100,000 over two consecutive fiscal years and an applicant can apply more than once, but for each applicant, funding will not be more than $250,000 over five years.

BIONOVA – BioInnovation Challenge

The BioInnovation Challenge is an Atlantic Canadian business competition to recognize significant commercialization potential in Health and Life Sciences. BioNova understands that, more than ever, a strong and vibrant economy in the province requires continuous innovation and the creation of new Nova Scotian Health and Life Sciences companies. Early stage companies evolve over time to become major employers in the community and encourage a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation – key ingredients for prosperity.

BIONOVA – Financial BioBusiness Accelerator Program (BAP)

BioNova’s BAP program is a suite of individual program initiatives that are assembled based on the present day needs of the local life science community. The program has an over-arching goal to move businesses down the commercialization pathway faster to get technologies and products to the market sooner. The suite of programs offered include: Investor Kit Program Photography Portfolio Project Investor Pitch Training Specific Consulting Engagements Business Development Assistance and Consulting Reimbursement Assessments

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.

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.

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-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.

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.