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.

FCC Women Entrepreneur Program

FCC is committed to empowering women in agriculture, agribusiness and agri-food. Through the Women Entrepreneur Program, FCC has dedicated $500 million over the next three years in lending, enhancing events and creating resources specifically for women entrepreneurs to start or grow their business. Assistance includes access to financing, value-added offerings for skill set enhancement and connections to people and organizations across the industry.

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

Greater Heights of Growth

Give your business the gift of sustainable expansion with our Greater Heights of Growth program, now accepting applications for our spring cohort!

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.

Nova Scotia Provincial Grant Finder

Grants and funding programs offered through the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage.

Sydney Makerspace

The Sydney Makerspace gives Cape Breton start-ups, entrepreneurs, students and other creative minds the place, equipment, materials and education to let them design and build innovative products. The 4,000 sq.ft. space in Sydney includes a general work area, a tool library, a metal working shop, a selection of woodworking tools, an electronics/robotics lab, as well as 3D drawing and printing abilities. Discounted memberships are available to students, educators, Veterans, seniors and partner groups (Centre for Craft and Design, Island Sandbox, Navigate, New Dawn Centre for Social Innovation and Mentor Connect)

THINKFARM – Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture

THINKFARM.ca provides introductory level resources for starting a farm in Nova Scotia. The website has information on defining your farm vision, business planning and regulations which apply to new farm businesses. It is a good starting point before accessing advisory services from the Department of Agriculture and Perennia Field Services staff. The THINKFARM Facebook page and electronic mailing list provide information about training workshops and events of interest to new and aspiring farmers in the province.