Invest Nova Scotia Sprint Competition

The Sprint Competition is for early stage software-based technology companies in Nova Scotia. Winners receive up to $25,000 and guidance from seasoned business professionals to put their ideas into action. The goal of Sprint is to find and support high potential, early stage knowledge-based companies, and encourage entrepreneurial activity in the province.

Invest Nova Scotia The Early Stage Commercialization Fund (ESCF)

The Early Stage Commercialization Fund (ESCF) helps move Nova Scotia university, college and university-affiliated hospital research to market. Eligible participants include researchers engaged in information technology, life sciences, clean technology, ocean technology, or other technology development with market potential. Up to $50,000 in funding is available per project. Funds can be used to assess market potential, develop go-to-market strategies, perform strategic planning, create/update business plans, assist with intellectual property protection strategies, finish proof-of-concept development, build prototypes and leverage of other funds.

LAE – Workplace Education Initiative

The Workplace Education Initiative Programs are tailored specifically for each workplace to meet the needs of the employees in that workplace. Topics that could be included in a program are essential skills related to the development of documents, communication, computers, reading, math, essentials for small business, academic upgrading and pilot programs Funding under this program can be provided for: Organizational needs assessments Educational needs assessments Essential skills course development and delivery by an instructor Instructor travel Materials and supplies Programs are 35 to 40 hours in duration with 10 to 12 participants per course. (Courses can be with one employer, or a group of employers).

Learnsphere – Commercialization Consulting and Mentoring

The Commercialization Consulting and Mentoring (CCM) Program provides funds to assist Atlantic Canadian businesses and institutions in the final stages of commercialization. Businesses or institutions may use the funds to hire consultants or mentors to help them get a new and innovative product, technology or process to market. CCM funds can also be used to cover the cost of group learning activities for businesses on the verge of commercialization.

Learnsphere – E-tools for Exporting

LearnSphere’s E-tools for Exporting (E for E) provides financial assistance to help you develop and integrate electronic tools that can help you do business more effectively and get your products and services to international markets more efficiently. If you’ve been working on a recent marketing or business strategy that includes updating or improving your potential to export outside of Canada, you may be eligible for financial assistance. This program can help to hire a consultant or agency for activities such as:

Website development, re-design or rebranding
Responsive web design conversion (ensuring mobile-friendly design)
Integration of e-commerce functionality
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Paid advertising (PayPerClick, Google Adwords, etc.)
Social media strategy or integration
Videos, online catalogues and other online customized tools
Translation of website
Creation/design of language toggle
Training on any of the above

Learnsphere – Export Market Access Program

LearnSphere’s Export Market Access Program (EMAP) provides financial assistance to help you market yourself more effectively, increase your exports and grow your business. If you’re working to enhance the way you market and sell your exports outside of Canada, you may be eligible for financial assistance through EMAP to help hire a consultant, mentor or agency for activities such as:

Market research or strategy development
Export plan development
Mentoring / coaching to improve export market research and planning
Lead generation
Sales
Development of promotional materials (brochures, catalogues, trade booth designs, etc.)

The maximum EMAP contribution is 65% of project costs, up to a maximum of $15,000 per year. Total project costs must be more than $5,000 to apply.

Limestone Trucking Assistance Program 2019-2020

The Limestone trucking assistance program aims to help Nova Scotia farms defray the cost of trucking limestone to give equal opportunity neutralizing the acidity of the soil on agricultural land and improve production efficiencies.

Mineral Resources Development Fund

The Mineral Resources Development Fund is designed to assist prospectors, exploration companies, and researchers, employ post-secondary students, and support projects in the mining sector that attract investment and grow Nova Scotia’s economy and create jobs, especially in rural areas. The MRDF is a grant program that supports prospecting, advanced exploration, minerals-related research and public education. The MRDF has seven funding streams for the 2019-2020 fiscal year: Prospecting and Exploration Grants: Maximum $20K Shared Funding Exploration Grants: $20K up to $200K (50/50) Marketing Grants Post-Secondary Research Grants: Maximum $90K Education, Outreach, and Engagement Grants: Maximum $50K Innovation Grants: Maximum $200K Major Project Grants: Maximum $500K or higher if required

Music Nova Scotia – Artist Development

The Artist Development component offers up to a 75% level of investment to a $4,000 maximum per applicant per deadline toward one year of artist development activities including sound recording, touring and showcasing, video production, marketing and promotion. These activities must be detailed in an Artist Development Plan, which will be submitted to Music Nova Scotia as a required element of the application. At the end of the Artist Development year, successful applicants are required to deliver to Music Nova Scotia one new, previously unreleased, professional quality sound recording, called the Delivery Track.

Music Nova Scotia – Business Development

The Business Development component provides up to a 50% level of investment to a $5,000 maximum per applicant per deadline for corporate development projects and other initiatives geared toward the marketing and promotion of the applicant company and its services.