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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Invest Nova Scotia Intersect Challenge

Intersect Challenge promotes the intersection of established businesses and entrepreneurship. Local businesses share a problem or pain they’re experiencing, and aspiring entrepreneurs pitch digital solutions for a chance to win $5,000 in cash and other support. Start-ups must have a new knowledge-based product or service with less than $1,000,000 in annual sales revenue.

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Bob Pelley

902-564-2951 (ext 1)

902-577-2689

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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.

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Bob Pelley

902-564-2951 (ext 1)

902-577-2689

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Invest Nova Scotia TecSocial

TecSocial is a monthly meeting for those with an interest in technology and entrepreneurship. The topics feature a variety of entrepreneurs and subject matter experts. TecSocial brings together entrepreneurs from across Cape Breton, Invest Nova Scotia clients, business professionals, industry representatives and students. These events are free and open to the public. Appetizers provided are compliments of Invest Nova Scotia.

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Bob Pelley

902-564-2951 (ext 1)

902-577-2689

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ISANS-Business Counselling

Your Business Counsellor provides one-on-one support before, during and after you open your business. Business counselling takes place at ISANS and continues at your place of business after start-up and during business growth. Your Business Counsellor helps you: Make informed decisions Identify available resources Build your professional networks Stay informed of business workshops and events Access free legal and/or accounting services if appropriate Create an action plan Connect with other business service providers, associations and organizations that can benefit you and your business Your Business Counsellor will also provide you with a copy of Connections – An Immigrant’s Guide to Starting a Business in Nova Scotia to help you understand business culture in Nova Scotia.

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ISANS-Business Workshops

ISANS has business workshops and seminars to help newcomers start and grow a successful business. To attend business training workshops, you must first: be a recent citizen, permanent resident or approved to immigrate register as an ISANS client meet with an ISANS business counsellor have a minimum CLB 5 Classes and workshops take place on-site at ISANS or online through our Online Learning website

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Island Sandbox

The Island Sandbox is a member of the Nova Scotia Sandbox community. We provide space for various student groups from Cape Breton University and NSCC Marconi Campus to experiment with new entrepreneurial ideas and access business mentors and other support. We deliver unique hands-on programing and workshops to assist in professional and personal development. The Island Sandbox borrows from a time when we first learned to use grains of sand to create a world of possibilities fed solely by our imagination. In that sandbox from our childhood, we learned to collaborate with our peers and to learn through play. At the Island Sandbox, we bring students together with our communities’ entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, and academia to create an environment where imagination and innovation can flourish. It is a place to experiment and to see the world through the eyes of an entrepreneur. The Island Sandbox is a collaboration between Cape Breton University and the Nova Scotia Community College to serve as a collision space for ideas and innovation. Our primary focus is to help students explore problems/opportunities through Design Thinking.

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Todd Graham

902-565-9004

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Launch Your Business Webinar Series

Futurpreneur’s Entrepreneur-In-Residence is an engaging webinar where the facilitators take you through key questions to determine where you are with your business idea. The webinar will also outline how to be part of the Entrepeneur-In-Residence program: free coaching sessions for those entrepreneurs who want to launch their business. You will also learn what free resources you have available to you.

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Le Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse

The CDÉNÉ provides services to existing and potential businesses and entrepreneurs to support them in the development and success of their business or entrepreneurial initiatives. Our business advisors can:

Help develop feasibility studies and business, marketing and strategic plans
Provide advice on how to start, grow or improve your business
Provide mentorship for new entrepreneurs
Lead professional development sessions
Provide information funding sources and subjects related to entrepreneurship (statistics, demographic data, etc.)
Put you in contact with people and agencies that provide additional services

CDÉNÉ also provides economic immigration services to employers / entrepreneurs in Acadian and Francophone communities.

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Jeannot Chiasson

Business advisor – Cape Breton

12521 Cabot Trail, Saint-Joseph-du-Moine

902-224-4102

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MEA – Activities/Training/Resources

The Maritimes Energy Association supports the maximization of Atlantic Canadian participation in the supply of both goods and services to meet the needs of the energy industry. Its purpose is to identify, promote and support the development of opportunities for member companies. It accomplishes this through its member activities and services, industry advocacy and policy research. This includes: Member activities Breakfasts Lunch and Learns Annual Energy Conference Daily Energy Bulletin

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Ray Ritcey

902-426-3182

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Membertou Entrepreneur Centre

The Membertou Entrepreneur Centre’s business development program includes customized business training and workshops and one-on-one support for new and existing businesses in the Membertou community. Several times a year, orientation sessions are held in Membertou for anyone considering starting a business. A person can then be approved for a training program of up to 12 weeks to assist them in preparing a detailed business plan. The Centre works with Aboriginal Business Canada, Ulnooweg Development Group and other federal, provincial and community economic development agencies on investment capital and funding to new business ventures.

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Eileen Paul

902-562-6919 (ext. 3302)

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