The following companies/organizations are Investors of the Cape Breton Partnership and offer services specific to business development.

Business Development Bank of Canada

A financial institution owned by the Government of Canada, BDC supports more than 42,000 small and medium-sized enterprises across the country, complementing services available from private-sector financial institutions. BDC offers business loans and advisory services to help Canadian businesses grow, both at home and abroad. Through their subsidiary- BDC Capital, they also offer a full spectrum of specialized financing, including venture capital, equity as well as growth and business transition capital.

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Johnathan MacNeil

Senior Account Manager

275 Charlotte Street, Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 1C6

(902) 564-7706

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Cape Breton Capital Group

The purpose of the Cape Breton Capital Group (CBCG) is to bring together a group of experienced Cape Breton entrepreneurs and investors to seek out investment opportunities that will help established businesses maintain local ownership and seed new companies based on Cape Breton Island.

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Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design

Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design (the Centre), a non-profit charitable organization, is an integral and leading force in the educational, promotional and economic development of the craft sector on Cape Breton Island with a membership of over 300 individuals and organizations throughout Cape Breton Island, the traditional and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaw people of Unama’ki. The mandate of Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design is to promote excellence in the field of craft and design through education and training, exhibitions and special events. We are committed to developing programs that preserve, elevate, expand, and enhance the creation of craft.

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Stephanie Dupuis

Craft Business Development Coordinator

322 Charlotte Street Sydney, Nova Scotia

902-539-7491

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Cape Breton Partnership – Business Services

The Cape Breton Partnership provides support, counselling and guidance to businesses at every stage.

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Shannon MacNeil

(902) 562-0122

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Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber administers workplace skills training programs focused on new and existing small business owners with an emphasis on financial management, marketing strategies (traditional and social media), leadership, customer service, public relations and supply chain management.

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Jenna Lahey

Chief Executive Officer

902-202-2347

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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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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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Colindale Business Soloutions

Our service includes a comprehensive consultation to help identify gaps and opportunities, a comprehensive report that includes a project plan with timelines and milestones, a cost analysis, and a schedule. We also offer a suite of quality products that will help you get there quickly and smoothly. That’s how we ensure your success. We help start ups and existing businesses with the following: Business Management/Development Practices Diagnostic Assessments Access to Capital Market/Export Readiness Business Plan Mentoring Business Coaching Property Management Services

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Damian MacInnis

151 Little Mabou Rd Port Hood, Nova Scotia

(902) 631-3525

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Immigrant Loan Program

Immigrant Loan Program Loans of up to $20,000 for temporary residents, age 19 years and older, wishing to start a registered business in our area; Access to training, advisory and consulting services; Seasonal and part-time businesses are acceptable; Most sectors are eligible; and Fixed interest will be charged at prime rate plus 3%.

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Patrica MacNeil

Executive Director

(902) 539-4332

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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.

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Gordie McGean

Executive Director

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

(902) 736-6211

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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.

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Perry Chandler

CEO

15381 Hwy 19 Inverness

(902) 258-3698

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Centre 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.

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Eirinn Fraser

Business Advisor, Cape Breton

902-217-2660

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CME – 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

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Michael Raymond

902-422-4477


Common Good Solutions

Common Good Solutions (CGS) is part consultancy, part educator, part social impact incubator, offering a full range of social enterprise consulting, training and coaching services that support entrepreneurs and organizations from launch to growth, and beyond. Nova Scotia’s first Community Interest Company, CGS devotes 60% of all profits toward its social mission: growing the social enterprise sector in Nova Scotia. CGS and SENNS deliver the impact incubator, support entrepreneurs and organizations in starting or growing a social enterprise.

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Maria Wamboldt

902-407-0822


Craft Alliance Atlantic Association – Programs

Part of the Craft Alliance’s mandate is to provide marketing opportunities for craft producers in the Atlantic Provinces. This includes offering opportunities for educational mission, trade shows & exhibitions, and export opportunities at craft and giftware events across North America. Visit our Producer Registration page and sign up as a Project Member to gain access to our special projects section. Once registered, you will gain access to the full list of opportunities we are currently offering access to:

The Craft Hub – Direct consultation with the craft sector across Atlantic Canada and engage with our craft industry partners to deliver programs and services relevant to the sector both provincially and regionally.
The Craft Lab – Assist craft producers with business development by providing marketing support, educational opportunities, trade show assistance, exhibition assistance, product development, productivity/capacity building and more!
Craft Tek – Technology development by investigating and initiating projects that contribute to innovation through design, collaboration or creation of new cross-sectoral initiatives that advance the craft sector.
Craft X – Exporting initiatives including trade shows, training resources, market development and travel, cost related to initiatives that assist with export market development outside of the region.

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Bernie Burton

902-492-2772

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Customs House Artisan Incubator

The Customs House is a craft incubator in Port Hawkesbury. Are you a textile, clay or jewellery artist? As our artists in residence, you’ll have access to: Fully equipped studios Subsidized studio rent Craft business development support Technical mentorship Opportunities to take your craft to market

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Laura Collinet

902-539-7491 ext 116

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DigiPort

Delivered in partnership between Tourism Nova Scotia and Digital Nova Scotia, DigiPort is an online hub where you can connect with qualified digital service providers for one-on-one support and access to articles, videos, tip sheets, webinars and more to help you be more visible online, reach more potential customers, and close the sale. DigiPort is available to tourism businesses and organizations that are based in or regularly conduct business in Nova Scotia. There is no cost to register for DigiPort.

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Digital Nova Scotia

Digital Nova Scotia (DNS) is the industry association for Nova Scotia’s $2.5 billion ICT and digital technologies sector. Our programs, events, and opportunities enable us to connect our digital community and proudly promote its successes. Through skills development, capacity building, industry events, strong partnerships and the promotion of IT opportunities, we are supporting our sector as it continues to grow, evolve and thrive.  

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1301-1809 Barrington Street, Halifax, NS B3J 3K8

902-809-5332

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Enactus Canada

Guided by academic advisors and business experts, student leaders create and implement community empowerment projects and business ventures with a strong focus on social entrepreneurship. This helps students unleash their entrepreneurial spirit and develop the talent and perspective essential to leadership. Student Entrepreneur National Competition recognizes and rewards the commitment, determination and achievements of full-time university and college student business owners.

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Michaela Epifano

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