Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is the second smallest province in Canada with respect to land mass, and an estimated population of 979,115.
Visit the Province of Nova Scotia’s website for all information pertaining to COVID-19, Access Nova Scotia’s Online Services, the Registry of Joint Stocks, and the Department of Business webpage.
To contact the Province of Nova Scotia, use the Public Enquiries Contact Form to send questions or comments about programs and services. Otherwise, use the following numbers to connect by phone:
- Toll-free: 1-800-670-4357
- Toll-free TTY: 1-877-404-0867
Post-Secondary Institutions
15 University Avenue
Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6
Recruitment: 1-877-585-1121
Switchboard to all departments:
Tel: 902-542-2201; 902-585-2201
Email: agi@acadiau.ca
660 Francklyn Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3B5
Switchboard Tel: 902-423-6939
Registrar’s Tel: 902- 425-3691
Email: registrar@astheology.ns.ca
P.O. Box 5300
1250 Grand Lake Rd.
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
Toll Free: 1-888-959-9995 (Canada/US)
Tel: 902-539-5300
Email: registrar@cbu.ca
6299 South St.
PO Box 15000
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
Halifax campus:
Tel: 902-494-2450
Truro (Agricultural Campus):
Tel: 902-893-6600
admissions@dal.ca
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
Switchboard: 902-457-6788
Admissions: 902-457-6117
Recruitment: 902-457-6141
Email(s): admissions@msvu.ca
questions@msvu.ca
5163 Duke Street
Halifax, NS B3J 3J6
General Tel: 902-444 9600
General Fax: 902-425 2420
Admissions Tel: 1-888-444-5989
Admissions Tel: 902-494-8259
Email(s): admissions@nscad.ca
studentservices@nscad.ca
5685 Leeds Street
Halifax, NS B3K 2T3
Tel: 1-866-679-6722
Tel: 902-491-4911
Email: admissions@nscc.ca
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
Tel: 902-420-5400
Email: recruitment@smu.ca
PO Box 5000
Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
Tel: 1-855-396-7839 (toll free)
Tel: 902-867-2219
Email: admit@stfx.ca
1695, Highway 1
Church Point, NS B0W 1M0
Tel: 902-769-2114
Email: admission@usainteanne.ca
6350 Coburg Road
Halifax, NS B3H 2A1
Tel: 902-422-1271
Email(s): admissions@ukings.ca
campus.tours@ukings.ca
Entrepreneurship + Business Development Resources
AEC team is made up of experienced business professionals and counsellors, when combined have more than 20 years experience in the field. From one-on-one consultation to group training facilitation, our team is equipped with the skills necessary to take you and your business to the next step.
Acadia Entrepreneurship Centre provides training, advisory and innovation & incubation services for individuals, businesses and not-for-profits.
Acadia University (Innovation and Incubation Services)
24 University Avenue (Patterson Hall),
Wolfville NS B4P 2R6
Tel: 902-585-1835
Email: entrepreneurship@acadiau.ca
BioNova leads, accelerates, and advocates for Nova Scotia’s growing health and life sciences sector. Since 1993, BioNova has been accelerating the growth of its member companies. By hosting networking and educational events, and providing connections to potential funders and business resources, BioNova helps companies succeed. While these companies commercialize life-changing research to improve healthcare, provide healthier food, and develop clean energy solutions, BioNova advocates on behalf of the sector. BioNova champions the sector’s cluster of world-class research facilities, incubator programs, and companies who, together, bring investment and jobs to Nova Scotia.
#46 1344 Summer St.
Halifax, NS B3H 0A8
Tel: 902-421-5705
Fax: 902-421-2733
Email: info@bionova.ca
The Black Business Initiative is committed to growing a stronger Black presence in Nova Scotia’s business community. We act as a catalyst for job creation, equitable participation, and advancing the economic prosperity of Nova Scotia. In 1996, the Government of Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia founded the organization to address the unique needs confronting the Black business community in Nova Scotia.
They are the longest serving Black business development initiative in Canada and are dedicated to supporting companies to start, grow, and compete in the mainstream business community.
1660 Hollis Street, Suite 910
Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J 1V7
Tel: 902.426.8683
Toll-free: 1.888.664.9333
Fax: 902.426.8699
CEED is committed to delivering innovative programs and services that empower individuals and communities to achieve their full potential. We envision a vibrant and entrepreneurial Nova Scotia, and our mandate encompasses social and economic principles that make that vision a reality.
CEED is about innovative ideas, creative enterprises, and scalable strategies. Each year, we help to increase the number of businesses operating in Nova Scotia through training, financing and networking opportunities. CEED has a unique community of like-minded entrepreneurs brought together by peer-to-peer learning opportunities, professional development strategies, and a passion for entrepreneurship.
7071 Bayers Road, Suite 225,
Halifax, NS B3L 2C2
Tel: 902-421-2333
Tel: 1-800-590-8481
Fax: 902.482.0291
Email: info@ceed.ca
The Centre for Women in Business is dedicated to helping women across the province succeed as entrepreneurs through exposure, connection and learning. This includes one-on-one business advice, business skills training, trade missions, networking and a membership program designed to develop and support women in business across the province.
The Centre for Women in Business opened in 1992 and operate with the support of Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).
RBC Centre for Women in Business
Mount Saint Vincent University
Suite 411, Margaret Norrie McCain Centre
166 Bedford Hwy, Halifax, NS, B3M 2J6
Email:cwb@msvu.ca
Tel: 902-457-6449
Toll-free: 1-888-776-9022
Fax: 902-443-4687
The Centre for Ocean Ventures & Entrepreneurship (COVE) is a collaborative facility for applied innovation in the ocean sector.
Our mission is to propel the ocean economy by providing high quality marine infrastructure and a collaborative space in which a community of ocean enterprises can start, grow and prosper. Our primary goal is to support ocean technology commercialization.
COVE is a community that brings together the best and the brightest to push ocean tech advances to market. It’s a space that fosters innovation and cross-pollinates expertise, ideas, and resources among members, COVE is where business growth, opportunity, and technical advances happen.
27 Parker Street
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
B2Y 4T5
Tel: 902-334-2683
Common Good Solutions helps individuals and purpose-led businesses start, grow and make a meaningful impact. Our vision is to see every business enrich its local community and the lives of its customers and employees. Our everyday aim is to transform the way business is done to build strong social enterprises that nurture the health and sustainability of communities across Canada.
5557 Cunard Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3K 1C5
CDL-Atlantic is located in Halifax, Canada at the Rowe School of Business, Dalhousie University. Dalhousie is a world-class research institute with expertise in ocean, clean, and environmental technology, as well as agri-food and bioproducts.
In alignment with Dalhousie’s research initiatives, CDL-Atlantic is home to a Prime stream as well as a specialized Oceans stream. CDL-Atlantic has created partnerships with Atlantic Canada’s leading entrepreneurs, investors, and scientists to foster the development of powerful blue-green technology ventures, in collaboration with the Ocean Frontier Institute (OFI), the NSERC/Tesla Canada Industrial Research Chair, and the Canada Research Chair in Organic Agriculture.
CDL-Atlantic
Rowe School of Business, Dalhousie University
Kenneth C. Rowe Mgmt Building
6100 University Ave.
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
Email: cdl-atlantic@creativedestructionlab.com
DeepSense supports cost effective collaborative projects between academic researchers and businesses in the ocean economy to drive innovation, commercialization, job creation and economic growth through making better use of data.
Our goal is to create a new generation of data scientists that see the value and potential of ocean data, providing support to a broad range of faculties and areas of study.
DeepSense – Dalhousie University
6050 University Avenue
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
Tel: 1-902-497-2448
Email: info@deepsense.ca
Digital Nova Scotia’s programs, events, and opportunities enable them to connect our digital community and proudly promote its successes. Through skills development, capacity building, industry events, strong partnerships and the promotion of IT opportunities, we are supporting our sector as it continues to grow, evolve and thrive.
DNS is a membership-driven organization. Our members range from startups and SME’s to large multinational corporations, universities and colleges, government, and non-profits. We pride ourselves on connections. Connecting industry leaders through networking events and roundtable discussions, connecting industry with talent through our opportunities portal, and connecting with national organizations to increase the profile of our sector and province.
1301-1809 Barrington St.
Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J 3K8
Tel: 902-809-5332
Email: info@digitalnovascotia.com
The Emera ideaHUB contributes to the economic impact of the region by developing the pipeline of physical product startups, providing opportunities for business development, population retention and growth. We are a focal point for connecting entrepreneurs with the rich resources of the university and with other key actors in the Atlantic innovation ecosystem.
Capitalizing on the resources and strengths of Dalhousie University and Dal’s Faculty of Engineering, our mission is to create and develop product-based startups and support small-and-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and corporate innovation teams, by providing support, guidance, access to space and equipment, as well as resources through an innovation community they might otherwise struggle to find on their own.
1345 Norma Eddy Lane
Emera IDEA Building
Emera ideaHUB – 3rd Floor
Halifax, NS, B3J 1B6
Email: ideahub@dal.ca
Futurpreneur Canada has been fueling the entrepreneurial passions of Canada’s young enterprise for two decades. We are the only national, non-profit organization that provides financing, mentoring and support tools to aspiring business owners aged 18-39. Our internationally recognized mentoring program hand matches young entrepreneurs with a business expert from a network of more than 3,000 volunteer mentors.
620 Nine Mile Drive, Suite 209
Bedford, NS B4A 0H4
Tel: 1 800 464 2923 ext 3895
Halifax’s Innovation District has a high concentration of people, businesses, organizations and resources that are fostering innovation and growth. It’s a culture of collaboration and ingenuity. And it’s an incredible community where you can access the people and organizations that you’ll need to grow your company at every stage.
1505 Barrington St.
Halifax, NS
Tel: 902-237-7351
Email: mzitner@halifaxpartnership.com
In collaboration with Halifax Regional Municipality and our many partners, we mobilize and lead our community in executing Halifax’s Economic Growth Plan. Together, we are working toward an ambitious long-term vision to grow Halifax’s population to 550,000 and its GDP to $30 billion by 2031. In short, we help keep, grow, and get, business, talent, and investment in Halifax.
1675 Grafton Street
Suite 701, North Tower
Halifax, NS B3J 0E9
Tel: 902.490.6000
Toll Free: 1.800.565.1191
Email: reception@halifaxpartnership.com
IGNITE is a local innovation hub where ideas become reality. Entrepreneurs, small businesses, and large industries all benefit from the structure, mentorship, and opportunities provided by IGNITE. We encourage everyone to explore how they can make change possible in a rural community. By engaging youth, communities, startups, and industry to find solutions for challenges being faced in the region, IGNITE is creating a local culture of innovation.
Ignite Northern:
352 East River Road, New Glasgow, NS
Tel: 902-331-1160
Email: tristin@igniteatlantic.com
Ignite Southern:
208 Main Street, Yarmouth, NS
Tel: 902-746-0795
Email: danielle@igniteatlantic.com
In 2014, Andrew Button founded Mashup Lab to be a for-more-than-profit company that activates rural ideas, and turn them into great businesses.
Mashup Lab is tackling the challenge of rural-economic development head-on because they know that: rural communities are pockets of untapped entrepreneurial potential.
CO3, 2nd Floor
724 King St., Bridgewater, NS
Email: andrew@mashuplab.ca
Navigate is more than a workspace — our events and programming foster meaningful relationships that are supportive and inspiring, building an impactful entrepreneur-led community that celebrates creativity, risk-taking, and collaboration. Startup life can be lonely and challenging, but it can also be a lot of fun and immensely rewarding — and at Navigate, our founders have plenty of peers to share the ups and downs up. Our job is to help make the lows the exception and the highs the rule.
37 Nepean Street,
Sydney, NS B1P 6A7
Email: tgraham@navigatestartup.com
At Nova Scotia Business Inc. we are working towards a strong, thriving and globally competitive Nova Scotia through attracting global investment to create new jobs across the province and working with companies in all communities to be more successful exporters.
1800 Argyle Street, Suite 701
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3N8
Tel: 902-424-6650
Email: info@nsbi.ca
Refresh is a community of designers, developers and innovators working to refresh the creative, technical, and professional culture of digital technology endeavours in the Annapolis Valley while promoting design, technology, and entrepreneurship.
Email: info@refreshannapolisvalley.org
The Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre (SMUEC) is a leading provider of university-based business support services in Atlantic Canada. Over the past 25 years, the SMUEC has worked to enhance our community’s prosperity by helping business and student leaders reach their entrepreneurial potential. Recognized regionally, nationally and globally for their programs, the SMUEC supports leaders through consulting, training, promoting entrepreneurship and cultivating community connections.
As a division of Saint Mary’s University, the SMUEC works to connect students and faculty to businesses. The SMUEC provides clients with access to students’ fresh ideas and faculty’s expert opinions and leading research. Using this approach, the SMUEC offers clients innovative and cost-effective solutions to a wide range of business problems.
960 Tower Rd,
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 3C3
Tel: 902-491-6500
Email: smuec@smu.ca
The Nova Scotia Sandbox Project is a joint project hosted by Nova Scotia universities and community colleges which focuses on providing support for post-secondary students to develop enthusiasm for and pathways to innovation.
Sandboxes are collaborative collision spaces across Dal’s campus which bring together multidisciplinary teams to develop ideas and innovative solutions to important local and global problems.
Shiftkey Labs has well-established programs and a track record of offering effective, engaging programs.
Our goal is to have students, alumni, and community members from all disciplines come together to solve challenges that are being faced across all sectors using technology entrepreneurship & innovation.
ShiftKey Labs – Goldberg Computer Science Building
6050 University Avenue, Room 426
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
Based in Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Science, SURGE offers a range of programs that complement the training offered in a traditional science degree. We focus on skills necessary to succeed in the 21st century — a world full of major challenges and rapid change. SURGE provides applied training in the skills needed to develop innovative solutions to real problems, and make those solutions a reality through entrepreneurship, social enterprise, not-for-profits, or other means. We also provide unique, resume-building experiences in leadership, communication, and working in multidisciplinary teams.
We do this through workshops, multi-week programs, weekend “deep dive” events, challenge-based programming, a capstone course in innovation and entrepreneurship, and an incubator program for early-stage teams to develop a startup idea. Our goal is to empower students to lead and make the world a better place through science.
Faculty of Science
Life Sciences Building, Room O2660,
1355 Oxford St.
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
Tel: 902-220-5129
Email: surge@dal.ca
The Valley Regional Enterprise Network’s mission is to lead and enable regional economic growth and prosperity. Serving the Annapolis Valley region as a whole, we are uniquely positioned to objectively addresses the economic and business development needs of the region as a whole without being confined to municipal boundaries.
We are the “boots on the ground,” helping to link the private sector and public organizations around common objectives for regional economic progress.
35 Webster Street, Suite 102
Kentville, Nova Scotia B4N 1H4
Tel: 902 678 2200
Email: info@valleyren.ca
The Valley Women’s Business Network (VWBN) supports, educates and promotes women in the Annapolis Valley who are in business, professionals, or aspiring to start a business through the organization of networking meetings and events in the Annapolis Valley.
9049 Commercial Street
Suite 150
New Minas, NS B4N 5A4
Volta, Canada’s East Coast Innovation Hub, is dedicated to building an inclusive and collaborative community that empowers entrepreneurs to achieve growth and success in our region, across the country and around the world.
Located in the heart of downtown Halifax and supporting entrepreneurs across Atlantic Canada, Volta is cultivating a respectful and supportive environment where founders and their teams come together with both private and public sector partners, to validate and advance their innovative business ideas, and get to market more quickly and efficiently.
1505 Barrington St., Unit 100
Halifax, NS B3J 3K5
Tel: 902-702-0194
Email: mail@voltaeffect.com
A partnership between the Province of Nova Scotia and seven municipal units, the Western Regional Enterprise Network(Western REN) leads an extensive network of business and public sector partnerships. This network works to create a business and investment friendly environment in Southwest Nova Scotia.
With a focus on workforce, business succession, and infrastructure improvements, the Western REN has been Informing, Connecting, and Accelerating economic development since 2014. The approach balances direct business-facing services with region-wide collaborations to overcome immediate challenges to rural economic development.
210 Main Street
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia B5A 1C8
Tel: 902-881-3008
Email: wren@westernren.ca
The Women Unlimited Association is a not-for-profit women’s organization in Nova Scotia that promotes the full participation of women in trades and technology. We work with industry, governments, educational institutions and the community to address the systemic barriers that limit the participation of diverse women in these fields.
Halifax, NS B3K 2T3
Funding
The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency works to create opportunities for economic growth in the region 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.
1801 Hollis Street, Suite 700
P.O. Box 2284 STN C
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3C8
(Courier Address: B3J 3N4)
General Inquiries: 902-426-8361
Fax: 902-426-2054
Toll Free: 1-800-565-1228
Our business centre’s mission is to help create and develop strong businesses in Halifax.
Whether you are looking to apply online for a small business loan, or need additional financing for a larger project, our financing solutions are designed to protect cash flow and help grow your business.
You can also access our network of experienced business consultants in Halifax, who can provide you with practical advice to help you accelerate your company’s growth.
2000 Barrington Street, Suite 1400
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3K1
Branch # 200
Tel: 902-426-6783
Brigus Capital is a privately-owned investment company focused on investing in small-cap publicly traded companies and select privately owned companies.
1969 Upper Water Street
Suite 2001, Purdy’s Wharf Tower II
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3R7
Tel: 902-491-4280
Email: info@briguscapital.com
Build Ventures is based in Halifax, Nova Scotia and is focused on early stage technology companies across the Atlantic region. Our first fund closed in early 2013 and we currently have $65M under management. We are looking to work with passionate founders who are committed to building great companies.
1505 Barrington St., 2nd Floor
Halifax, NS B3J 3K5
Email: rob@buildventures.ca
When most of us think of the word concrete, we often picture the material commonly used in construction. This material is often used to build a strong foundation. More interestingly the origin of the word concrete is derived from the Latin word concrētus (past participle of concrēscere) which means ― to grow together.
Building a strong foundation and growing together is the best way to describe what we do here at Concrete Ventures.
1505 Barrington St., Unit 244
Halifax, NS B3J3K5
Hawthorne Capital Inc. is a privately held company providing growth and transition capital to small and medium-sized enterprises with strong ties to Atlantic Canada.
Hawthorne Capital Inc. specializes in partnering with owners and/or management of established small to medium sized enterprises having high growth potential and a significant regional presence. Founded in 2010, our principles of fairness, honesty and collaboration have allowed us to build a strong reputation among management teams and business owners in our market. Our approach is thorough and strategic, focusing primarily on long-term value over fast returns—each transaction guided by experience and integrity.
Tel: 902-493-3056
You’re an entrepreneur with a vision. You’ve spotted a market opportunity, gathered a team, and you’re launching a new venture. You’re inventive, organized, and ready to step up your game. All that’s needed is the means to make it happen. Innovacorp is here to help. We get invested in Nova Scotia’s entrepreneurs.
As an entrepreneur, you understand risk. So do we. We’re willing to take risks, and make early stage investments in your venture. As your partner, we’ll play a key role in transforming your business into something extraordinary.
We’ve got the experience and the assets to help you succeed in the global marketplace. Our proven venture capital model is built around response time and veteran guidance: with us, you get the best advice, when you need it.
Discover more about how Innovacorp can be a partner in your venture. Together, we can change the face of business in Nova Scotia.
400 – 1871 Hollis Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 0C3
Tel: 902-424-8670
Email: info@innovacorp.ca
We understand how turbulent a new venture can be. We are here to support those founders who have the conviction, resolve and resilience to face challenging elements head on. As angels, we invest in pre-seed & seed stage tech companies alongside other angels, strategic investors, and VC. Uniquely positioned in Canada and Singapore, we bring a global perspective and network to help founders build and scale.
Email: info@longshotcap.com
Numus Capital is an Exempt Market Dealer which supports the issuers partnered with Numus Financial. The firm is licensed to sell investment securities that are exempt from prospectus requirements based on rules and regulations in the provinces under which Numus is registered. Numus Capital can provide accredited or exempt investors with access to early stage investment opportunities.
Numus Capital regularly completes private placements for private issuers, concurrent financing for issuers at the time of listing, and financing for listed issuers to secure funding to accelerate on-going growth. Numus Capital also acts as an agent for issuers in transactional matters, joint venture partnerships and mergers and acquisitions.
Numus Capital investors have access to high-risk/high-reward investment opportunities frequently associated with the exempt markets.
Numus Financial Inc.
Purdy’s Wharf Tower II
1969 Upper Water Street
Suite 2001, Halifax, NS, B3J 3R7
Sandpiper Ventures will unlock capital and innovation through greater diversity of investors and strong connections to global markets; it will contribute to a stronger ecosystem, stronger economy and approach to investing with better businesses, deals, and higher investment returns.
In addition to capital, Sandpiper Ventures provides founders with a valuable network, a unique toolkit of deep industry experience, access to growth and development partners, access to national and international customers and new market opportunities.
Email: hello@sandpiper.vc
We are a Canadian investment firm based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Founded in 2012 by a small group of private investors, including members of the Sobey and McCain families, SeaFort Capital partners with strong management teams to strengthen and grow profitable businesses.
CIBC Building
1201-1809 Barrington Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3K8
Email: info@seafortcapital.com
With representatives in New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia, Ulnooweg has been providing loans and business services to Aboriginal entrepreneurs throughout Atlantic Canada since 1986.
Our registered charity, The Ulnooweg Indigenous Communities Foundation is focused on building capacity for children and youth across sectors in education, culture and innovation.
Beyond financing, The Ulnooweg Financial Education Centre (UFEC), assists First Nation decision makers by enhancing skills in governance and financial decision-making opening up opportunties for greater participation in the Canadian economy.
From walking people through the process of building their dreams from startup to success! We offer loans up to $250,000 and have non-repayable contributions available.
835 Willow St.
Truro, NS B2N 6N8
Tel: 902-893-7379
Fax: 902-893-0353
Venture Grade is a revolutionary university experience in which students raise funds to invest in privately-held entrepreneurial equity, with the guidance and support of the business community. Based at the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University, Venture Grade is open to all university and college students and is intended to develop skills and strengthen ties between students and the entrepreneurs, angel investors and venture capital firms in the entrepreneurial economy.
923 Robie Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 3C3