Residency at IGNITE gives you the resources, mentorship and space you need to grow your startup or idea.
IGNITE is a rural innovation hub where ideas become reality. Entrepreneurs and startup businesses at any stage benefit from the structure, mentorship, and opportunities provided by IGNITE. We welcome & 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.

Being an IGNITE resident has provided us with an incredible support network. IGNITE helps us connect with the business community and other entrepreneurs and offers resources to help grow the business – worth its weight in gold!
Benefits of IGNITE Residency
- Access to all coworking benefits:
- High-speed internet
- Collaborative lounge space
- Free networking events
- Free parking
- Use of professional business address
- Meeting room access (bookings required)
- Access for up to 3 employees
- 24/7 building access & key FOB
- Mentoring services
- Access to partner resources
- Entrepreneurship training
- Equipment use:
- Camera & drone (off-site use)
- 3D printer
- Cricut
- Photo booth
- Access to IGNITE locations (Yarmouth and New Glasgow)
- Access to temporary daily workspace in Halifax (with prior notice)
- IGNITE Campus (Digital access)
- Promotion through IGNITE Marketing & Podcast
- In-house trained specialist
- Office hours with local experts
- Research & development support

Partner Programs that IGNITE residents gain access to:

- Mitacs Entrepreneur International: Startup companies located at Ignite are eligible to travel internationally for business to expand export and market opportunities and receive up to 5000$ in support from Mitacs.
- Accelerate: Collaborate with an academic group and a student to move the needle on your projects research and development. Projects are built in blocks of 4 months and $15,000 to support the student and project.

- Accelerator Program: Our partners provide you an accelerated business planning process, while we give you additional support to launch your business.
- Receive $20,000 in loan financing
- Approval based on participation or completion of partner programming and credit eligibility
New Glasgow Resident Companies
Discover The Strait
Discover the Strait is an IGNITE Atlantic resident that brings local Northumberland Strait fishermen together on one platform to offer visitors unforgettable, authentically Nova Scotian, experiences on the beautiful Northumberland Strait. The platform, developed in partnership between the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia and the fishermen, offers a variety of world-class marine experiences on the Northumberland Strait, conveniently accessible on one trusted platform. By bringing local boat owners together, the platform fulfills all customer touch points to put visitors on the wharf, ready to board a boat and experience the beauty of the Northumberland Strait.
VirtualZone
VirtualZone, a virtual reality arcade located in the old Bank of Montreal building on Provost Street, opened its doors in January. The business is owned by tech enthusiasts Courtney Fanning and Nick Clark, who bought the former VirtualZone in Stellarton and upgraded it with the latest tech advancements. The arcade offers over 500 virtual experiences, including reminiscence therapy for seniors with dementia, educational experiences for students, sports training packages, and corporate training sessions. It features private gaming cubicles as well as one of the largest free-play spaces in the region, which can be used for escape rooms and other group activities. The arcade is open seven days a week, with flexible hourly rates and 15-minute blocks for those with limited time.
New Brooklyn Media
BRAEVR Media
BRAEVR is a Virtual Reality video production company. We create fully immersive storytelling experiences in the 360°, 180° Stereoscopic and Virtual Reality space. Our specialty is our creativity, craftsmanship and ability to bring engaging storytelling experiences to life. Our clients range from the federal government, tourism boards and industry sector development but the sky’s the limit for this technology. The future of storytelling lies in the virtual reality space and we are here to help connect brands to this incredible ever emerging technology.
Green Oil Solutions
Green Oil Solutions is a leader in eco-filtration in Canada, developing state-of-the-art solutions to solve environmental problems in our waters. Their bilge filtration systems remove oil and other contaminants from bilge water before it is discharged overboard. They also use innovative technologies to clean stored diesel fuel, furnace oils and lubricating oils that would normally be disposed of.
The Meadows Retreat & Creative Space
The Meadows Retreat & Creative Space welcomes all travelers, creatives and artists wishing to explore the northern shore of Nova Scotia – whether this ocean playground is their home, or if they come from away.
The future of The Meadows not only includes this beautiful three-bedroom farmhouse, but also an artist studio for residencies and retreats and small cabins to allow for groups to stay on this 25+ acre property.
Bruff and Associates
Bruff and Associates works closely with clients to help them see where they can enhance their contribution to their family and organizational goals. They guide clients on how to be effective communicators and create positive relationships in life and business.
Personal Coaching
Communicating with family and friends while dealing with your own emotions can be challenging at the best of times. When we encounter loss or change, the situation can create tension for everyone. Bruff and Associates have coaches that offer a wide variety of workshops that dive into how we have learned to communicate and how we might be able to improve our relationships with a few new tools.
Professional Coaching
Recognizing the importance of EQ (Emotional Intelligence) in your leadership style and developing active listening skills are valuable when managing change. We offer a wide variety of training from licencing to communication, as well as, sales and servicing skills training.
Next Level Skin Care
Next Level Skin Care was established in February 2023 by Melissa MacIntosh. Melissa’s initial inspiration to create a skin care cream began when she was preparing to become a certified manual lymphatic drainage therapist in August 2022. This training allows her to work with and help individuals with chronic swelling, lymphedema. Knowing that this condition compromises the integrity of the skin, and puts those individuals at higher risks of infection, Melissa wanted to create something natural that her clients could use. Their product is great for all skin types including those with eczema and acne prone skin. Next Level Skin Care is made with all natural ingredients to help you have peace of mind knowing you have a quality product for your skin.
Elwood Pens
Elwood Pens is a handcrafted wooden pen and pencil manufacturer based out of northern Nova Scotia.
The business began as a school project making handmade wooden pens and mechanical pencils in September of 2014, and after many different names was registered as an official small business as ‘Elwood Pens’ on June 6th of 2016. Elwood Pens will be incorporating over the summer of 2023.
The business will be beginning production in May of 2023, after stopping operations for approximately 3 years. The first batch of pens will be available to the public on October 1st, 2023.
The company has made pens from over 40 different types of wood from around the world as well as a number of different styles of pens/pencils. Wood from as far away from as Ukraine, and Brazil. But also, local hardwoods from Nova Scotia such as Birdseye Maple.
The name ‘Elwood’ comes from Elwood Mackay, the paternal grandfather of Dylan Thompson-MacKay. Who is the founder of Elwood Pens.
The brand Elwood is all about inspiring people to Write Their Own Story.
Elwood Pens is built around the 3 values of: Quality, Authenticity, and Sustainability.
Elwood Pens is committed to providing the highest quality handmade wooden pens and mechanical pens possible, and to be a business leader in Atlantic Canada.
Sunnyside Self Wellness
Student Entrepreneur
Camilla Thompson is an author and educator who is passionate about increasing the peace and positivity in our post pandemic world. She is developing a new business, , which promotes mental health and pro social skill development through children’s literature, educational resources and engaging workshops for youth and families.
Camilla has introduced individuals of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to tier two mental health practices like Meditation and Mindfulness, Gratitude, Kindness to Self and Others, Mindful Eating and Movement, and Creative Self Expression. She was the cofounder and Director of Programming for The Dream Candy Organization, and the a Director of Student Support for Bridgeway Academy. She has worked as a Social Skills and Social Emotional Learning instructor.
Melmerby Adventures
Student Entrepreneur
Sam Thompson, the 20-year-old entrepreneur behind the business, has been creating and selling unique products since he was just 12 years old. It all began with Christmas tree ornaments made from pumpkin seeds, which quickly sold out at local markets. Encouraged by the market manager, Sam began experimenting with different products and eventually settled on creating birdhouses from wood salvaged from a barn. As his business grew, Sam continued to experiment with new products and eventually found success with his surprise soap – a bar of soap with a toy hidden inside, including popular characters like Lego. In addition to his soap business, Sam recently launched Melmerby Adventures, renting paddle boards, kayaks, and a pedal boat from his grandmother’s property on the inner bay at Melmerby Provincial Park. We look forward to supporting Sam as he continues to grow his businesses.
Yarmouth Resident Companies
3DLife Inc
3DLife Inc. is an education and coaching company determined to advance what effective organizational and business leadership looks, sounds, and feels like so leaders can build stronger teams, transform workplace cultures, enhance overall wellbeing, and achieve desired results. 3DLife Inc. offers facilitation, speaking, and mentor-coaching services and programs, and uses our expertise in the field of education, leadership, and human skills development to support current and aspiring leaders toward more effective communication, relationships, and performance – without sacrificing what matters.
Katchi
Greenlight Studios
Greenlight Studios is a full-Time Video and Audio Studio. We specialize in Music Videos, Live off the Floor Music Production and Commercial Video of all types. We also are the biggest producer of professional Real Estate Walkthroughs video and 3D Tours in the Yarmouth Area. We have helped sell hundreds of homes throughout the Tri-Counties.
Mycaro
Mycaro is a high protein, upcycled mycelium ground that is produced through the fermentation of agricultural by-products. This mycelium ground allows consumers to enjoy versatile, sustainable protein with a neutral taste and desirable texture.
ASBB Consulting
ASBB Consulting is an economic advisory firm based in Yarmouth, NS specializing in providing research and economic advisory services to rural and remote communities to promote sustainable and diversified growth. We believe in empowering communities to build a better future through providing economic and strategic planning advice on initiatives, such as education, health, economic, social, and infrastructure projects. We are dedicated to helping rural communities reach their potential and play an active role in their own development. We strive to create lasting change and improve the lives of those living in rural areas.
We empower local leaders with providing the economic insights necessary to diversify the rural economic base, attract new businesses and industries and create a business-friendly environment. Ultimately, our goal is to contribute to a stronger, more resilient rural economy that creates long-term jobs, encourages innovation, and improves the quality of life of all community members.
Snap Innovations Inc.
Snap Innovations Inc. was founded in 2020 by a group of like-minded innovators focused on solving real challenges and developing innovative products.
Our team brings together an expert group of engineers, innovators and product development specialists with a variety of backgrounds including sailing, marine engineering, sport product development, hunting and fishing. The team came together to establish Snap Innovations to develop new and innovative products for problems they faced in their work. The focus at the beginning was to develop quick-connectors with superior strength that could work in harsh environments with just one hand. Putting our teams engineering capabilities to work…our first versions of SeaSnap came to life.
By testing different materials, configurations and designs…the SeaSnap emerged with a simple push-to-connect design and an easy squeeze release. These products are like no other in the industry and our approach of continual improvements in our designs and innovations are leading to new and innovative products to add to our lineup.
TURN2 Innovation Inc.
Atrio Sports
P.A.C.E Wellness
Evelena Beaton is passionate about supporting people on their wellness journey, no matter their pace or age. Although she spent the majority of her career working with geriatrics, she started her private practice as a way to support people of all ages towards a healthy and fulfilling life. One of the many life lessons Evelena learned from the seniors that she worked with was to live your life with no regrets, and keeping that lesson in mind while building her practice has been key. “Do what you love and have fun doing it!”
P.A.C.E Wellness offers nutrition and wellness services, including menu review & development, as well as yoga sessions.
Virtual Hallway Consults Inc
Virtual Hallway is an online marketplace that connects primary care clinicians who need to discuss a patient case with specialist physicians who provide clinical advice. It offers an easy, rapid, documented and reimbursed way to get questions answered and optimize patient care. We also offer bi-monthly accredited continuing medical education webinars to our members.
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