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.

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

Grants

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

More Info: https://www.canada.ca/en/atlantic-canada-opportunities/services/regional-economic-growth-through-innovation.html

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

More Info: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/elevateip/en 

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/ 

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

Focus:

Eligible Projects:

Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada

More Info: https://ready2launch.ca/

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 

Start-Up Yard at COVE - OceanTech Demo

Focus: Immigrant entrepreneurs, ocean

Eligible Projects: R&D, market expansion

Eligible Provinces: Nova Scotia

More Info:  https://investnovascotia.ca/start-up/acceleration-initiatives/start-up-yard-cove-oceantech-demo-programs/ 

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/ 

Repayable Contributions

ACOA-REGI Regional Economic Growth through Innovation

Focus: Tech

Eligible Projects: R&D, tech upgrades, market expansions

Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada

More Info:  https://www.canada.ca/en/atlantic-canada-opportunities/services/regional-economic-growth-through-innovation.html 

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 

Loans

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/ 

Wage Subsidy

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/ 

Loan Guarantee

Export Development Canada

Focus: Export

Eligible Projects: Market expansion, technology upgrades, equipment

Eligible Provinces: Atlantic Canada

More Info: https://www.edc.ca/ 

Travel Grants

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 

Bridge Loans

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/ 

Vouchers

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

Tax Credits

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

More Info: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/scientific-research-experimental-development-tax-incentive-program.html