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

Invest Nova Scotia

At Invest Nova Scotia we are working towards a strong, thriving and globally competitive Nova Scotia through attracting global investment to create new jobs across the province and working with companies in all communities to be more successful exporters. We can help you get there from here. With extensive industry and market expertise, we are passionate about helping Nova Scotia companies discover new exporting opportunities. Make Nova Scotia your business solution. If you are not yet familiar with our province, allow us to show you why our talent, geographic location, reputation, and research and development are attracting world-leading companies to establish operations here. You may also be interested in our Industrial Lands that offer access to shipping, logistics and distribution of your products.

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Wanda MacLean

Regional Business Development Advisor

902-227-7144

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Invest Nova Scotia – Cape Breton

Invest Nova Scotia helps Cape Breton start-ups grow stronger, faster. We have entrepreneur-in-residence, acceleration programs, training opportunities, a makerspace, mentorship and networking events. Invest Nova Scotia collaborates with Cape Breton Partnership, Cape Breton University, Navigate, NSCC, NRC and Propel ICT to ensure Momentum delivers support Cape Breton start-ups need.

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Bob Pelley

902-564-2951 (ext 1)

902-577-2689

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Mi’kmaw Economic Benefits Office

The mandate of the Mi’kmaw Economic Benefits Office (MEBO) is to maximize the employment and contract opportunities for indigenous community members in Unama’ki (Cape Breton).  We achieve this by continually expanding our broad network of industry partners across all sectors. MEBO supports the growth of businesses as well as aspiring entrepreneurs in the establishment of new businesses. We can help with: providing training workshops assistance preparing funding applications business plan development

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Alex Paul

201 Churchill Dr Suite 201, Membertou, NS B1S 0H1

902-562-4700

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Micro-Loan Program

Under the Micro-Loan Program, women+ entrepreneurs from across Unama’ki – Cape Breton will be eligible to apply for a loan of up to $10,000. The Micro-Loan Program is made possible by the partnership and participation of the Cape Breton Partnership, Sydney Credit Union, East Coast Credit Union, Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Strait Area Chamber of Commerce, Centre for Women in Business, and Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development.

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902-562-0122

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Nova Scotia Community College- Marconi Campus

Located in Sydney, the Marconi Campus offers a range of programs and a friendly learning atmosphere. Students enjoy plenty of open space with comfy seating, quiet study areas, wireless access and computer labs. The campus business centre serves as an incubator for small businesses and provides opportunities for students to work part-time in their field of study, and build their portfolio. It also provides the resources to help them develop their own small business ideas. A new trades wing features shop space, classrooms, offices and a green design, meeting Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.

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1240 Grand Lake Road Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 6J7

902-563-2450

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Nova Scotia Community College-Strait Area

Located in Port Hawkesbury, the Strait Area Campus offers an extensive range of programs. The Campus is home to the Nautical Institute that provides Transport Canada-approved marine training. Facilities for marine training include a wave tank, fire training centre and state-of-the-art simulators for propulsion systems, navigation and global communications. Students enjoy a spacious and friendly campus environment, amazing outdoor spaces and trails, as well as excellent recreation fitness and entertainment services that are offered in the area year-round. The Strait Area Campus also offers programs in Wagmatcook First Nation at the renovated Wagmatcook Learning Centre.

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226 Reeves Street Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia B9A 2A2

902-625-2380

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NSCC – Your Entrepreneurial Self Program

NSCC Entrepreneurship provides entrepreneurial skill awareness and development opportunities for students, faculty and staff. Programs and services include:

Free Entrepreneurial Resources including workshops, presentations, activities, lesson plans, templates, toolkits
Business Counselling –One-on-one business counselling for students, staff and faculty who are interested in starting a business or want to take their existing businesses to the next level. Guidance offered for business plan development, marketing, HR, government regulations and financing.
Curriculum Consulting – One-on-one curriculum consulting and support to integrate entrepreneurship into the classroom (integrating tools such as the business model canvas, business plans, software and activities)
College Wide Activities – entrepreneurial activities for students, staff and faculty including challenges, contests and competitions and professional development opportunities
Community Connections – Entrepreneurial Service Providers and Community Resources – we work with other entrepreneurial service providers and connect students/staff to relevant resources and supports, workshops and training events, available in our communities

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Sheri Williams

902-491-8869

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Strait Area Chamber of Commerce

SACOC provides unique opportunities for businesses to promote and develop through advertising, seminars, trade shows, networking and events. It also provides access to member discounts on business expenses such as group insurance, point of sale systems, advertising, etc., in addition to 15-20 training courses each year to help businesses be more efficient and grow. SACOC annually hosts a “Small Business Road Show” that engages SMEs and service providers in rural communities across rural Cape Breton. The objective is to build awareness of the many services provided to SMEs and new entrepreneurs. SACOC periodically hosts women leadership events that provide networking and skill development opportunities for women in business and leadership.

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Tanya Felix

902-625-1588

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TD Bank Financial Group

As a top 10 North American bank, TD aims to stand out from its peers by having a differentiated brand – anchored in our proven business model, and rooted in a desire to give our customers, communities and colleagues the confidence to thrive in a changing world. Our small business banking includes: Business Bank Account (Canadian and US Dollar) Merchant Solutions (Debit and Credit Processing) Business Credit Cards Payroll Services Cash flow management – Overdrafts and Lines of Credit

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Doug Arsenault

Account Manager-Small Business Banking

292 Charlotte Street, Sydney, Nova Scotia

902-539-3640 ext 300

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Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia (TIANS)

TIANS prides themselves as the champion of advocacy for tourism issues in Nova Scotia. By listening to their members, TIANS is fiercely working on their behalf with a passion for the tourism industry, sincere compassion for their well-being and the desire to advance change. In working with their partner associations and stakeholders, they ensure that they are involved in the development of the tourism industry at the regional, provincial, and national levels.

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2089 Maitland Street Halifax, Nova Scotia B3K 2Z8

902-423-4480

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Farm Safety Nova Scotia

Established in July 2010, the Society of Farm Safety Nova Scotia is a not–for–profit organization that works with Nova Scotia farms to keep farmers, their families, and their employees safe. It is our goal to ensure farmers have access to the tools and resources they need to operate safe and productive farms.

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902-893-2293


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Futurpreneur Canada Newcomer Mentoring Program

Futurpreneur Canada’s Newcomer offering includes participation in our 2 year industry-leading mentoring program. We’ll match you with a business professional to suit your needs and help increase your opportunity for success.

Business mentoring can help you:

Gain insight and perspective by having someone to bounce your ideas off of.
Identify opportunities and risks by learning from someone experienced.
Focus on and strategically work towards your business vision.
Grow your own business network and enhance your business acumen.
Shorten your learning curve.
Build confidence knowing you have someone in your corner.

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Global Affairs Canada – Business Women in International Trade

The Business Women in International Trade (BWIT) program of the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) helps open doors and opportunities for Canadian women-owned businesses to successfully expand into global markets. BWIT works with Canadian businesses that are at least 51% owned, as well as managed and controlled by one or more women. It can connect you with export advice and support by introducing you to trade commissioners in more than 160 cities worldwide and offers: Women-focused trade missions Funding and financing Exporting advice and support International contacts and opportunities

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Global Affairs Canada – Trade Commissioner Service

Global Affairs Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service helps thousands of Canadian small and medium sized enterprises tackle concrete problems and uncover export opportunities through the following services: Help you expand to global markets Help connect your business in the market Help you find key contacts in the market Provide you with business insight Will try to help you reduce your risks Assist you in finding new opportunities Assist you in resolving business issues in foreign markets

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Christine Smith

902-426-6660

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Global Affairs Canada – Trade Missions

Canada Trade Missions provide access to resources from Canada’s export agencies, and present unique opportunities and benefits to participants. During the trade missions companies will participate in: Business to business meetings Business briefings Market and sector presentations/discussions Site visits (when possible) Networking events Face-time with the minister or senior government officials

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Christine Smith

902-426-6660

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Global Affairs Canada – Canadian Technology Accelerators

A Canadian Technology Accelerator (CTA) can give your company a head start in a foreign market. CTAs are located in major tech hubs and support firms in a wide range of technology sectors. Each CTA focuses on helping businesses take advantage of what the local market has to offer. These services vary among CTAs, but generally include:

Mentorship and advice from industry leaders in the foreign market
Office space in technology centres shared with other entrepreneurs and innovators
Access to potential investors
Connections and networking in the technology business community

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Alexandre Lanteigne

Trade Commissioner

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Government of Canada Business-E-business Security, Privacy, and Legal Requirements

There are several strategies that can help you reduce the risks you and your customers face when doing business online. Be aware of these risks and take steps to deal with them before they become problem including: Protecting your clients Security Privacy Privacy policy Credit and debit card handling Legal requirements for e-business

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IG Wealth Management

Life is constantly changing, which is why you need a plan, and a pro-active advisor, that can adapt with your evolving needs and goals. We help you create a financial plan – an IG Living Plan – that moves and grows along with your life. Our goal? To improve your financial well-being and make sure you can embrace all of life’s possibilities. Solutions for your evolving business Whatever stage your business is at, we can help expand your operations, attract & retain employees, and maximize year-end profits. Whether your looking to pay yourself, invest, plan for succession,  receive tax advice and help with planning, get advice on insurance, or deciding to incorporate, our advisors will work with you to help you make the right decision for your and your business.  

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Doug MacKenzie

Financial Advisor

265 Prince Street, Sydney, NS

902-562-5000 ext 249

902-577-5371

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Innovation Mobilization Program

Industry can collaborate with Springboard network members in order to access funding (applications for the IM Program must be submitted by a Springboard Atlantic member to qualify for funding). Funding categories include:

Industry Engagement:connects skilled professionals in academia with like-minded contacts in industry to drive new collaborations and support research commercialization in Atlantic Canada.
Proof of Concept:support for developing early stage ideas, from a lab bench to a working prototype or equivalent (e.g. software beta).
Patent and Legal:support for the assessment and protection of ideas with commercial potential. All forms of intellectual property are eligible e.g. patents, industry designs, copyright, trademarking etc.
Marketing Support:validate the commercial potential of an idea. This funding supports market assessment and prototype development.

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902-421-5678

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Invest Nova Scotia Accelerate Streams

Invest Nova Scotia is thrilled to announce five Invest Nova Scotia Accelerate streams, each offering cash and expertise to Nova Scotia start-ups hitting milestones on the path to investment-readiness.

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Kaitlin Webb

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