Funding Sources

Starting or growing a business

CBDC NOBL helps local entrepreneurs with business loans, training and self-employment resources. The original lists microloans, clean-technology loans and general business loans.
The Credit Union Small Business Loan Guarantee Program covers commercial financing. The Black Business Initiative directory listing includes working capital, equipment and short-term receivables financing.
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) lists business development, market development and sector supports. Ulnooweg works with Indigenous entrepreneurs.
Emergence supports agri-food and life-sciences firms. Perennia offers food safety, market access and product-development help. Futurpreneur and the Business Development Bank of Canada support entrepreneurs with financing and advice.

Investment and exporting

ACOA, Invest Nova Scotia and Export Development Canada provide export development or financing support. Global Affairs Canada offers trade services and Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters provides industry support and market insight.
LearnSphere is listed for commercialization and export-development consulting. The source also names earlier initiatives such as Growth Works Atlantic Venture Fund and Invest Truro Colchester.

Research and commercialization

Mitacs helps businesses collaborate with post-secondary researchers. NRC IRAP supports qualifying smaller Canadian companies developing new technology, products or processes.
Springboard Atlantic supports industry research relationships and work such as proof of concept and bringing ideas to market. The source also records earlier funding through NSERC Engage and Innovacorp.

Training, hiring and retaining staff

Nova Scotia Works and Futureworx help with hiring, job promotion, training, retention, job fairs and questions about wage subsidies. The original directory lists a Futureworx contact at 902-843-4290.
WIPSI helps employers with training costs. Graduate to Opportunity targets recent graduates, the Co-op Education Incentive targets students completing a co-op placement, and SKILL supports summer student roles at eligible nonprofits.
Venture for Canada supports people entering work at Canadian startups. The Northern Connector Program introduces newcomers and graduates to employers and local professionals.

Check current eligibility

The funding support PDF is a useful reference for the original program descriptions. Consult each program’s official site for present-day terms, amounts and application windows.

Starting or growing a business

Investment and exporting

Research and commercialization

Training, hiring and retaining staff

Check current eligibility

Related links and downloads