Red Tape / Regulatory Navigation
Biz Pal
BizPaL helps you find the permits and licences you may require when starting or operating your business. Use Step-by-Step instructions when you’re looking for permits and licences for a particular business type and its related activities or topics. For more information, click here.
Business Navigators
Are you a new or existing business that needs help with navigating provincial regulation? Figuring out the rules and regulations that apply to your business can be complex and time-consuming. To help make things easier and save valuable time, the Government of Nova Scotia is piloting a Business Navigator service. Business Navigators help business navigate rules and regulations so they can get to work opening, operating and growing their business. For more information, check out https://novascotia.ca/regulatoryopportunity/business-navigators.asp.
Export and Innovation
Export Development Canada (EDC)
Canada’s export credit agency, its job is to support and develop Canada’s export trade by helping Canadian companies respond to international business opportunities. EDC provides insurance and financial services, bonding products and small business solutions to Canadian exporters and investors and their international buyers. It also supports Canadian direct investment abroad and investment into Canada. Much of its business is done in partnership with other financial institutions and through collaboration with the government of Canada.
Industry Canada
Industry Canada works with Canadians in all areas of the economy and in all parts of the country to improve conditions for investment, enhance Canada’s innovation performance, increase Canada’s share of global trade and build a fair, efficient and competitive marketplace. This includes managing Canada’s airwaves and overseeing its bankruptcy, incorporation, intellectual property and measurement systems; providing financing and industry research tools to help businesses develop, import and export; encouraging scientific research; and protecting and promoting the interests of Canadian consumers. For more information, please click here.
Innovacorp
Innovacorp helps high potential early-stage Nova Scotia companies commercialize their technologies and succeed in the global marketplace with financial investments. The organization is especially interested in the clean technology, information technology and life sciences industries. Innovacorp is an early-stage venture capital firm.
Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI)
NSBI promotes the competitive advantages of doing business in Nova Scotia through our four business units: trade development, business financing, venture capital and investment attraction. It was created in 2001 as Nova Scotia’s business development agency led by a private-sector board of directors. To learn more about NSBI, click here.
Financing / Business Planning
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency works to create opportunities for economic growth in Atlantic Canada by helping businesses become more competitive, innovative and productive, by working with diverse communities to develop and diversify local economies, and by championing the strengths of Atlantic Canada.
Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
BDC promotes entrepreneurship by providing highly tailored financing, venture capital and consulting services to entrepreneurs. It focuses on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in sectors such as manufacturing, exporting, innovation and knowledge-based industries. It pays particular attention to start-ups, innovators, fast growth companies, manufacturers and exporters. It also focuses on entrepreneurs who are working to commercialize the fruits of Research and Development to create innovative products and globally successful companies. For more information, call 1-888-463-6232.
Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC)
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. For more Information, call 1-888-303-2232.
Business Accessibility
As part of Nova Scotia’s commitment to recognize accessibility as a human right, standards will be developed in the following areas: built environment, education, employment, goods and services, information and communications, and transportation. These new standards will impact businesses in terms of accommodations for their employees and businesses will need to be compliant by 2030 to avoid penalties. For more information about the Accessibility Act, check the provincial government’s press release and the Accessibility Act.
Businesses have access to grants to can help them offset compliance costs through the NS Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage.
Entrepreneur CB
No matter which stage of entrepreneurship your business is in, this website can help you find tools and resources you need to navigate through your next steps.
To get matched with the right service provider, please follow the links to local resources. If you need extra help, our team will sit down with you and listen to your business ideas and needs – we can then direct you to the right place. Visit https://entrepreneurcb.com/
Futurpreneur Canada
Are you an aspiring young entrepreneur, aged 18 to 39, with a solid business idea? Are you looking for the financial support and expert advice that will help you bring your great business idea to life? Futurpreneur Canada can help.
Land Use Planning / Permits / Inspection Services
Eastern District Planning Commission
The Eastern District Planning Commission provides planning, subdivision and building inspection services in eastern Nova Scotia for the Counties of Antigonish, Inverness, Richmond and Victoria and the Town of Port Hawkesbury. The planners, development officers, building inspectors and support staff work toward developing a safe and healthy community for you and your family. For more information, check out http://www.edpc.ca.
Nova Scotia Power Commercial Team
NS Power offers commercial energy solutions through partnerships with their preferred contractor network, suppliers and manufacturers to customize solutions tailored for specific business needs. With many products on the market, the NS Power Commercialization Team is always looking for the latest technologies for their commercial customers of all sizes. For more information, check out https://www.nspower.ca/en/home/for-my-business/business-solutions/business-solutions/default.aspx.
Information Gathering and Sector Growth
Eastern-Strait Regional Enterprise Network
The Eastern-Strait Regional Enterprise Network has been created by the Towns of Antigonish and Port Hawkesbury and the Municipalities of Antigonish, Guysborough and St. Mary’s, as well as the Province of Nova Scotia. ESREN provides regional economic development leadership in the Eastern Strait Region of NS. For more information, check out https://esren.ca.
Cape Breton Regional Enterprise Network
The Cape Breton Regional Enterprise Network was established by the Province of Nova Scotia through the Department of Municipal Affairs, and encompasses Victoria, Richmond, and Inverness counties. The network’s primary goals are to support the development and attraction of new businesses, and the retention and expansion of existing businesses. For more information, check out http://capebretonpartnership.com/cbren.
Canada Business Nova Scotia
Bilingual staff can help you navigate the worlds of government programs and services, regulations and permits, taxation, importing and exporting, market research and much more. You can also access over 2000 business-related publications and valuable licensed databases.
Nova Scotia Department of Business
The Department of Business aligns and coordinates all of government behind a common agenda of economic growth. The Department of Business works collaboratively with the private and social enterprise sectors to improve the competitiveness of Nova Scotia’s business environment and make dealing with government easier, faster and less frequent. The department leads the strategic development of plans and policies to grow business and key sectors, and fosters entrepreneurship and innovation to support a better economic future for Nova Scotia.