Funding Options
- Funding Options
Find the right funding option for your business using our interactive table below!
These options are available to businesses in Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada, and can be applied to a wide range of projects and investments.
Funding Type Definitions
Grant – Funds that do not need to be repaid!
Repayable Contribution – Project funding to be repaid at later date
Loan – Project funding to be repaid at later date
Wage Subsidy – Funding to cover employee salaries
Loan Guarantee – Third party taking obligation of debt in the situation that loan cannot be repaid
Travel Grant – Funding to cover travel expenses
Bridge Loan – A short term loan taken while awaiting further financing
Voucher – Funds given as incentives, usually to adopt a technology
Tax Credit – Incentive allowing investments to be deducted from taxes
Aboriginal Business Financing Program
Focus: Indigenous Businesses
Eligible Projects: Business planning, Establishment and operating costs, Business acquisitions and expansions, New product or process development, Adding technology to improve operations and competitiveness, Financial services, business support, business-related training and mentoring services
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://ulnoowegdevelopmentgroup.ca/entrepreneurship/business-funding/
Accelerate
Focus: Ocean, software, health, agri-tech, clean tech
Eligible Projects: R&D, prototype development, eligible expenses
Eligible Provinces: Nova Scotia
More Info: https://investnovascotia.ca/start-up/acceleration-initiatives/invest-nova-scotia-accelerate
ACOA-REGI Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation
Focus: Tech
Eligible Projects: R&D, technology upgrades, market expansions
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
BBI - Business Consulting Advisory Services Grant Program
Focus: SMB, Black and African Nova Scotian businesses
Eligible Projects: Marketing, tech upgrades, ecommerce, digital support
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://www.bbi.ca/business-consulting-advisory-services-grant-program/
CAS - Consultant Advisory Services (SMBs)
Focus: SMBs
Eligible Projects: Consultant fees, contractor’s fees
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://www.cbdc.ca/en/programs/consulting-advisory-services
CAS - Consultant Advisory Services (Female-led Tech)
Focus: Female founders
Eligible Projects: Consultant fees, contractor’s fees
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://www.centreforwomeninbusiness.ca/
CIRA Community Investment Program
Focus: Non-profit, academic research, communities, cybersecurity, youth
Eligible Projects: Digital support, tech upgrades
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://www.cira.ca/community-investment-program/grants
Divert NS R&D Grant
Focus: Solid waste resource management
Eligible Projects: Employee salary, market expansion, materials, R&D, consultant fees, contractor’s fees
Eligible Provinces: Nova Scotia
More Info: http://divertns.ca/funding
Early Stage Commercialization Fund - New Brunswick
Focus: Research commercialization
Eligible Projects: R&D, prototype development, intellectual property, market expansion, tech upgrades, consultant fees
Eligible Provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick
More Info: https://nbif.ca/early-stage-commercialization-fund/
Early Stage Commercialization Fund - Nova Scotia
Focus: Research commercialization, academic research
Eligible Projects: R&D, intellectual property, clinical testing, leveraging other funds, materials, market expansion, employee salary, prototype development, consultant fees
Eligible Provinces: Nova Scotia
More Info: https://investnovascotia.ca/start-up/acceleration-initiatives/early-stage-commercialization-fund
Elevate IP
Focus: Startups
Eligible Projects: Intellectual properties
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
Export Development Program
Focus: Export, startups
Eligible Projects: Consultant fees, contractor’s fees, travel, ecommerce, website developmentConsultant fees, contractor’s fees, travel, ecommerce, website development
Eligible Provinces: Nova Scotia
More Info: https://investnovascotia.ca/export/programs-services/export-development-program
Fast Track to Financing Program
Focus: Health, solid waste management, agri-tech, environment, clean-tech, climate, ocean
Eligible Projects: Consultant fees, contractor’s fees, market research, intellectual property
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://www.naturalproductscanada.com/en/programs/fast-track-to-financing/
Forestry Digital Adoption Program
Focus: Forestry
Eligible Projects: Adoption of new digital services
Eligible Provinces: Nova Scotia
More Info: https://digitalnovascotia.com/programs/forestry-digital-adoption-program/
Growth Incentive Funding Solution (GIFS)
Focus: Female founders
Eligible Projects: Employee salary, consultant fees, contractor’s fees, equipment, marketing, training, tech upgrades, purchase assets, licenses, insurance, registration, inventory
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info:
IdeaBuild (Emera IdeaHub)
Focus: Tough tech
Eligible Projects: Prototype development, materials, consultant fees, contractor’s fees
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://www.dalideahub.ca/build
IEF Micro Grants
Focus:
Eligible Projects: Employee salary, consultant fees, contractor’s fees, eligible expenses, marketing, website development, digital support, market expansion, market research
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info:
Invest Nova Scotia GreenShoots
Focus: Agri-tech
Eligible Projects: R&D
Eligible Provinces: Nova Scotia
More Info: https://investnovascotia.ca/start-up/acceleration-initiatives/greenshoots
Investment Readiness Program
Focus: Women
Eligible Projects: Prototype development, market research, training, contractor’s fees, consultant fees
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://canadianwomen.org/irp-ppi/
Lab2Market
Focus: Research commercialization, cybersecurity, health, academic research
Eligible Projects: R&D, prototype development
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://dalinnovates.ca/programs/nnce/lab2market/
Mitacs Elevate
Focus: AI, clean-tech, agri-tech, health, quantum technology, social impact, media
Eligible Projects: R&D, employee salary, market research
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://www.mitacs.ca/en/programs/elevate
Mitacs Entrepreneur International
Focus: Startups
Eligible Projects: Travel
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://www.mitacs.ca/en/programs/entrepreneur-international
NRC- IRAP
Focus: SMB, startups
Eligible Projects: R&D, employee salary, consultant fees, contractor’s fees, tech upgrades, intellectual property
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://nrc.canada.ca/en/support-technology-innovation
NSERC Alliance
Focus:
Eligible Projects: R&D, employee salary, materials
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Innovate-Innover/alliance-alliance/index_eng.asp
Ocean Startup Challenge
Focus: Ocean
Eligible Projects: Consultant fees, materials, equipment
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://oceanstartupproject.ca/challenge/
Ready2Launch
SDTC Scaleup Fund
Focus: Environment, clean-tech, climate
Eligible Projects: Tech upgrades
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://www.sdtc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/SDTC-Scale-Up.pdf
SDTC Seed Fund
Focus: Environment, clean-tech, climate
Eligible Projects: Tech upgrades
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://www.sdtc.ca/en/seed/
SDTC Startup Fund
Focus: Environment, clean-tech, climate
Eligible Projects: Tech upgrades
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://www.sdtc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/SDTC-Start-Up.pdf
Spark Nova Scotia
Focus: Pitch competition
Eligible Projects: New ventures, startups
Eligible Provinces: Nova Scotia
More Info: https://sparknovascotia.com/
Start-Up Yard at COVE - OceanTech Demo
Focus: Immigrant entrepreneurs, ocean
Eligible Projects: R&D, market expansion
Eligible Provinces: Nova Scotia
Strategic Innovation Fund
Focus: Tech
Eligible Projects: R&D, tech upgrades, employee salary, consultant fees
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/strategic-innovation-fund/en
The Amber Grant
Focus: Women, female founders
Eligible Projects: Employee salary, consultant fees, contractor’s fees, eligible expenses, equipment, tech upgrades, R&D, marketing, website development, market expansion, ecommerce, digital support
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://ambergrantsforwomen.com/all-grants/
Tribe Start Small Grant
Focus: Racialized entrepreneurs
Eligible Projects: Early-stage businesses
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://www.tribenetwork.ca/programs/start-small-grant
Tourism Digital Assistance Program
Focus: Tourism and hospitality
Eligible Projects: Funding for digital marketing in Nova Scotia
Eligible Provinces: Nova Scotia
More Info: https://digitalnovascotia.com/programs/tourism-digital-assistance-program/
Volta AI
Focus: Professional, scientific and technical services
Eligible Projects: Artificial Intelligence projects
Eligible Provinces: Nova Scotia
More Info: https://www.voltaeffect.com/
Workplace Innovation Productivity Skills Incentive (WIPSI)
Focus: SMB
Eligible Projects: Training
Eligible Provinces: Nova Scotia
ACOA-REGI Regional Economic Growth through Innovation
Focus: Tech
Eligible Projects: R&D, tech upgrades, market expansions
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
Divert NS R&D Grant
Focus: Solid Waste Resource Management
Eligible Projects: Employee Salary, market expansion, materials, R&D, consultant fees, contractor’s fees
Eligible Provinces: Nova Scotia
More Info: http://divertns.ca/funding
BDC Start-up Financing
Focus: SMB, startups
Eligible Projects: Marketing, buy a franchise, purchase assets, web development, consultant fees, contractor’s fees, equipment
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://www.bdc.ca/en/financing/starting-business-loan
Export Development Canada
Focus: Export
Eligible Projects: Market expansion, technology upgrades, equipment
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://www.edc.ca/
Futurpreneur Financing + Mentoring
Focus: Youth
Eligible Projects: Financing
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://www.futurpreneur.ca/en/get-started/financing-and-mentoring/
Small Business Loan Guarantee Program
Focus: SMB
Eligible Projects:
Eligible Provinces: Nova Scotia
More Info: http://www.novascotia.coop/programs/small-business-loan-guarantee-program/
BioTalent Student Work Placement Program
Focus: Students, STEM, health, tech, startups
Eligible Projects: Employee salary
Eligible Provinces: Nova Scotia
More Info: https://www.biotalent.ca/programs/student-work-placement-program/
Career Launcher - Clean Tech Internships
Focus: SMB, indigenous business, recent graduates, STEM
Eligible Projects: Employee Salary
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://www.careerlauncher.ca/employers/our-internship-programs/clean-tech/
Co-op Education Incentive
Focus: Students, SMB
Eligible Projects: Employee Salary
Eligible Provinces: Nova Scotia
More Info: https://novascotia.ca/programs/co-op-education-incentive/
ECO Canada Youth Placement Program
Focus: Youth, students, recent graduates
Eligible Projects: Employee salary
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://eco.ca/environmental-professionals/employment-funding-and-job-board/apply-for-job-funding/
Energy Nova Scotia Training Program
Focus: Students, recent graduates
Eligible Projects: Employee salary
Eligible Provinces: Nova Scotia
More Info: https://energy.novascotia.ca/industry-development/energy-training-program
Graduate to Opportunity
Focus: Recent graduates
Eligible Projects: Employee salary, R&D, market expansion, marketing, prototype development
Eligible Provinces: Nova Scotia
More Info: https://novascotia.ca/programs/graduate-to-opportunity/
Innovate to Opportunity
Focus: Recent graduates, SMB
Eligible Projects: Employee salary, R&D, market expansion
Eligible Provinces: Nova Scotia
More Info: https://novascotia.ca/programs/innovate-to-opportunity/
LearnSphere Commercialization Consulting & Mentoring Program
Focus:
Eligible Projects: Consultant fees, contractor’s fees, market research, marketing, web development, R&D, ecommerce, training
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://learnsphere.ca/commercialization/
Mitacs Accelerate
Focus: Academic research, students
Eligible Projects: Employee research, internships
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://www.mitacs.ca/en/programs/accelerate
Mitacs Elevate
Focus: AI, clean-tech, agri-tech, health, quantum technology, social impact, media
Eligible Projects: R&D, employee salary, market research
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://www.mitacs.ca/en/programs/elevate
START
Focus: SMB, startups
Eligible Projects: Employee salary, training, equipment
Eligible Provinces: Nova Scotia
More Info: https://novascotia.ca/employmentnovascotia/programs/start.asp
Student Summer Skills Incentive (SKILL)
Focus: Non-profit
Eligible Projects: Employee salary
Eligible Provinces: Nova Scotia
More Info: https://novascotia.ca/programs/student-summer-skills-incentive/
Work Integrated Learning
Focus: Tech
Eligible Projects: Employee salary
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://www.wil-ait.digital/en/
Export Development Canada
Focus: Export
Eligible Projects: Market expansion, technology upgrades, equipment
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://www.edc.ca/
Export Development Program
Focus: Export, startup
Eligible Projects: Consultant fees, contractor’s fees, travel, ecommerce, web development
Eligible Provinces: Nova Scotia
More Info: https://investnovascotia.ca/export/programs-services/export-development-program
Mitacs Entrepreneur International
Focus: Startups
Eligible Projects: Travel
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://www.mitacs.ca/en/programs/entrepreneur-international
FundEasly
Focus: Startups
Eligible Projects: Financing
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://fundeasly.com/
OKR FInancial - Bridge Finance
Focus: Startups
Eligible Projects: R&D
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada
More Info: https://okrfinancial.com/
Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program
Focus: SMB, startups
Eligible Projects: R&D, prototype development, market research, equipment
Eligible Provinces: Nova Scotia
More Info: https://investnovascotia.ca/export/programs-services/productivity-and-innovation-voucher-program
SR&D|ED - Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Incentive
Focus: Startups, tech, SMB
Eligible Projects: Employee salary, consultant fees, tech upgrades, R&D, prototype development, clinical testing
Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada