Looking for financing to start, or grow, your Greater Halifax business? Whatever your size, whatever your specialty, whatever stage you are at, many agencies, programs, and incentives are available to help you achieve your goals.
Agencies
Wondering how to access funding programs to start, or grow, your business? Greater Halifax is home to several provincial and federal agencies that can point you in the right direction.
The Financing Info-Guide is a great resource for helping entrepreneurs identify the best available sources of business financing. This guide is put out by the Canada/Nova Scotia Business Service Centre. Accessible province-wide and free of charge, their bilingual staff are ready to answer all your business questions, provide you with funding options, and the help you require to make informed decisions.
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) is a federal government agency headquartered in Atlantic Canada. It is dedicated to improving the economy of the region’s communities through the successful development of business and job opportunities.
Blue Water Community Business Development Corporation
CBDC Blue Water is one of over 40 Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs) serving Atlantic Canada. Being a CBDC, we promote economic development in rural areas by providing financial assistance, training and counselling to small businesses.
Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) is committed to helping entrepreneurs develop successful Canadian small and medium-sized businesses. The BDC supports these businesses at every stage of growth through flexible financing, affordable consulting services, and venture capital.
Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development (CEED)
An innovation centre that assists governments, organizations, and communities in helping people achieve their potential through entrepreneurship. CEED nurtures entrepreneurship in people by acting as a catalyst in the areas of entrepreneurship education, research and program design, professional development, and community entrepreneurship.
Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI) is focused on attracting and retaining businesses, promoting trade, lending and finance. Its business-focused, private sector-based approach to provincial economic growth provides companies with the right blend of assistance for start-up or growth. While financial assistance is normally available by way of loans, loan guarantees, and equity investment, the nature of assistance may vary based on your business. These programs are designed to assist in offsetting a significant portion of business program implementation costs.
Financing Options
From business loans that meet your needs to venture capital funds that allow you to tap into the knowledge of successful entrepreneurs, great things are possible when you access the resources available to you here in Greater Halifax. Here is a handy guide to help you access the many sources of financing our community has to offer:
Angel investors are another financing option. Some resources on the subject of angel investing include: