Halifax Business Resources & Entrepreneur Assistance
There are many business development agencies, programs and resources for entrepreneurs seeking assistance to start, or grow a business in Halifax and lots of information demonstrating why great businesses thrive in our dynamic, growing community.
Business Development Agencies in Halifax
Greater Halifax Partnership
SmartBusiness is our business retention and expansion
initiative. It is the backbone of the Partnership and the pulse of
Greater Halifax’s business community. Our team is
equipped to provide a full range of expertise and business solutions. We actively work with
businesses to break down barriers to growth and act on issues affecting
them such as:
- Accessing new markets
- Accessing talent
- Addressing business location and relocation needs
- Accessing financial information
- Assisting with local government
Canada Business Government Services for Entrepreneurs
This federal government service can provide your business with the
resources it needs to grow and prosper in Halifax, including a wide
range of information on government services, programs, funding options and regulations.
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
This federal government agency headquartered in Atlantic Canada 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)
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)
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.
Resource Recovery Fund Board Inc.
RRFB Nova Scotia is a non-profit corporation working in partnership
with Nova Scotians to improve the province’s environment, economy and
quality of life by reducing, re-using, recycling and recovering
resources. RRFB Nova Scotia assists businesses, associations and
not-for-profit organizations through a variety of Business Development
Programs that divert waste materials from the landfill. The Business
Development Programs also fund innovative research and development
initiatives.