The Best Sources for Small Business Grants in Nova Scotia

The Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) offers funding for businesses that are looking to research and develop programs between Canadian companies and foreign partners, with the goal of creating a commercial product or service. This grant covers a percentage of the costs associated with the developed program. Funding can be used to cover up to 50% of eligible costs, up to a maximum of $600,000.

The Strategic Innovation Fund provides small businesses and non-profit organizations with non-repayable grant funding to support a variety of different projects aimed at growing the economy, such as research and development, business expansion, and private/public sector collaboration. Funding is available up to 50% of the costs for eligible activities.

The Atlantic Fisheries Fund is funded jointly by the federal government and the government of Nova Scotia. This fund is intended to help the fish and seafood sector in Atlantic Canada transition to meet the growing demand for seafood globally, with a focus on three areas:

• Innovation, such as developing new products and technologies for harvesting, aquaculture, and processing
• Infrastructure, such as using new technologies or processes to improve sustainability
• Science partnerships, such as collaborating with universities and research institutions to improve knowledge and understanding

The Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund is a partnership between the Government of Canada, Black-led business organizations, the Business Development Bank of Canada, and other financial institutions. This fund provides loans up to $250,000 to Black business owners and entrepreneurs across the country, including Nova Scotia. Applicants can submit their applications through the Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE).

The federal government also offers sector- and purpose- specific grants to small businesses in Nova Scotia and across the country. Check out this complete list of federal small business grants for more information.

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency is a federal regional development agency that supports economic growth in Atlantic Canada in three ways:

1. By helping businesses of all sizes become more competitive, innovative, and productive
2. By working with diverse communities to develop local economies
3. By upholding and promoting the strength of Atlantic Canada, including Nova Scotia

The ACOA offers a number of small business grants in Nova Scotia, with programs for non-profit organizations, established businesses, and specific projects and activities. Here are 10 of the most popular ACOA grant programs:

The Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) offers grant funding through the Regional Innovation Ecosystems program. This program is for non-profit organizations such as strategic clusters and groups, accelerators and incubators, and other innovation-oriented organizations that support businesses at every stage of development.

No fixed funding amount is specified—grant amounts depend on the specific project in question. For-profit businesses can also access REGI funding, but funding will be in the form of a repayable loan.

The Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF) supports businesses, co-operatives, colleges, universities, and research institutions in two ways:

• To create and market new products and services that meet demands and global quality standards
• To adapt new technology to meet business needs or respond to market opportunities

To qualify for AIF funding, a project must be large-scale and must include a research and development element with a strong possibility for commercialization.

Non-profit organizations can receive non-repayable grant funding up to 80% of total eligible costs for projects. Private-sector-led projects can also receive funding, but it will be conditionally repayable funding up to 75% of total eligible costs. Eligible costs could include wages, salaries, capital costs and other operating expenses directly related to the project.

The Jobs and Growth Fund is a COVID-19 support program that provides grants and loans to businesses and organizations in order to help create jobs and position local economies for long-term growth. Eligible not-for-profit organizations could receive non-repayable contributions for up to 90 percent of eligible costs. Eligible for-profit businesses can also receive funding in the form of interest-free, repayable loans covering up to 50 percent of eligible costs.

The Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) is another COVID-19 support program designed to help “position Canada as a destination of choice as domestic and international travel rebounds”. The program aims to help tourism businesses create new or enhance existing experiences and products to attract more local and domestic visitors.

Contributions to businesses will be either non-repayable contributions up to $100,000 for up to 50% of eligible costs, or fully repayable contributions up to $500,000 for up to 75% of eligible costs. Non-profits and Indigenous entities will be eligible for non-repayable grant contributions up to $500,000.

The Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative (ARRI) supports small and medium-sized businesses in three objectives:

• To green their operations and adopt environmentally sustainable practices
• To improve productivity
• To strengthen commercialization while furthering integration into regional and global supply chains

Grant amounts depend on the project. Priority will be given to projects that contribute to:

• The transition toward greener products and operations or environmentally sustainable practices
• Generating economic benefits and promoting business development while improving the resilience and international competitiveness of the aerospace sector
• Improving diversity and inclusion to address barriers faced by certain groups
• Supporting digital adoption and enhanced cybersecurity

The Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) works with communities to find opportunities for growth by investing in initiatives that lead to long-term employment and a stronger local economy. ICF funding is non-repayable, and funding amounts are based on the level of funding each project needs to proceed.

The Economic Development Initiative (EDI) seeks to help Acadian and francophone communities in Atlantic Canada grow their economy by providing financial support to non-profit organizations that service official language minority communities (OLMCs).

The Canada Coal Transition Initiative (CCTI) helps businesses in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia transition away from coal by investing in sustainable infrastructure, supporting skills development, and economic diversification activities.

Advanced Manufacturing Technology Assessments provide manufacturers who are seeking innovative ways to increase their efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness with up to 75% of eligible costs, to a maximum funding amount of $50,000.

The Innovation Mobilization Program provides $20,000 in grants and loans to members of Springboard Atlantic (a member-based organization supported by the ACOA), as well as businesses that collaborate with Springboard Atlantic members. This program is designed to grow Atlantic Canada’s innovation economy through collaboration among post-secondary institutions and industry.

The provincial government offers a variety of small business grants in Nova Scotia. Here are 6 of the most popular:

The Workplace Education Initiative grant promotes learning at work and supports the development of a skilled, competitive workforce by increasing workplace essential skills. Funding is available for organizational needs assessments, educational needs assessments, instructor costs associated with course development and delivery, and to support tutoring for registered Nova Scotia apprentices. Funding amounts are not fixed and are assessed based on each application and project.

The Business ACCESS-Ability Grant Program provides businesses looking to make accessibility-related improvements for staff or customers with funding up to ⅔ of eligible expenses, to a maximum of $100,000 per year per applicant.

The Agriculture Business Advancer Program grant provides agriculture businesses with up to 30% funding assistance to a maximum of $300,000 to help support the adoption of new technologies, processes, or specialized equipment for the purpose of business growth.

The Self Employment (SE) Program provides non-repayable grants and entrepreneurial support to eligible, unemployed Nova Scotians who are starting their own business.

The Workplace Innovation and Productivity Skills Incentive is a grant that supplements employer contributions to help train full-time staff permanently located in Nova Scotia so they can:

• Improve productivity and profitability
• Increase innovation
• Adapt to new technology, machinery and equipment, or work processes
• Increase inter-provincial and international competitiveness
• Foster workplace diversity

The funding amount depends on the size of your business, up to a maximum of $100,000.

Small business grants are available from a number of non-government sources in Nova Scotia, including non-profit organizations, councils, accelerators, and more. Here are some of the most popular:

The Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design offers funding to craft producers and artists to help start or grow businesses on Unama’ki-Cape Breton Island.

Three streams of support are available:

1. Website and e-commerce funding to help cover the fees associated with developing a new website or upgrading an existing website
2. Branding and storytelling funding to help artists develop their brand to meet their current market demands
3. Craft business consultancy funding to partially cover the cost of businesses that hire a consultant to help them establish, maintain, or grow their business

Programs offer non-repayable funding up to 75% of eligible costs, to a maximum amount of $2,000 or $5,000 depending on the program

Divert Nova Scotia is a non-profit organization focused on recycling culture. Their main focus is on consumer-facing initiatives, but they also offer grant programs for businesses, including:

• Value-Added Manufacturing Grants: This initiative funds projects designed to commercialize new technology, products, or services that focus on innovation. Divert Nova Scotia provides a maximum contribution of up to 50% of the total eligible expenses for the proposed project. The form the funding takes, whether a loan, forgivable loan, or non-repayable contribution, will depend on the strategic value of the project. Applicants must hold the necessary licenses, leases, and permits, where applicable, and confirm a 20% equity position in the project to qualify.
• Research and Development Grants are available for initiatives that support Nova Scotia’s Solid Waste-Resource Management Strategy. Funding will be provided for approved projects that investigate, design and develop innovation in materials or products that incorporate solid waste-resources, technologies that will facilitate the separation and recovery of solid waste-resources, enhanced market opportunities for solid waste-resources and/or recycled materials, and increased efficiency within the current Nova Scotian solid waste system. A maximum non-repayable contribution of $50,000 per project is available to cover up to 50% of eligible costs.

The Nova Scotia Seafood Accelerator Program, facilitated by Perennia Food and Agriculture Inc., is available till March 31, 2023, and includes multiple grant options with different funding amounts and eligibility requirements:

• The Market Access Food Safety Program provides up to $15,000 in funding to help companies meet specific food safety requirements or overcome obstacles that are preventing them from entering a new market, as well as in keeping markets open when requirements change.
• The Technical Obstacles grant assists companies that offer seafood value-added products already in the marketplace, or those ready to go to market, with a technical issue that is keeping or prohibiting a product from entering a new market or limiting its current market success.
• The New Product Creator grant supports the development of new seafood value-added products through activities such as market validation, prototype development, and scale-up support, with the intent of having the product successfully reach the intended market. No fixed funding amount is specified—grant amounts depend on the specific project in question.

Arts NS offers numerous funding and grant options for artists and creative businesses and organizations, including:

• Arts Equity Funding Initiative: This program supports emerging and established professional artists from designated communities who have historically faced barriers to accessing funding support. Funding up to $15,000 is available.
• Operating Assistance to Arts Organizations: This program aims to enhance stability within established arts organizations that develop and sustain Nova Scotia’s arts community. Funding up to $50,000 is available.
• Access Support – Supplement: Access Support provides supplemental funding to an existing Arts NS project grant that is funding individual applicants who self-identify as Deaf, having disabilities or living with mental illness, as well as groups and organizations who want to increase the accessibility to their presentation/production for audience and/or participants. Funding up to $2,500 is available.
• Grants to Organizations and Groups: Up to $15,000 in funding is available to help professional arts organizations create and present artistic work, as well as strengthen their artistic and administrative capacity.
• Grants to Individuals: Up to $15,000 in funding is available to help professional, practicing artists in the creation and dissemination of their own work.
• Mi’kmaq Arts Program supports the development and continuation of Mi’kmaq art forms in the territory of Mi’kma’ki (Nova Scotia). Up to $15,000 in funding is available.
• Artists in Communities: This program supports organizations, groups, and individuals to develop and carry out community-based arts projects. Communities can be geographically based, based on shared interests or a shared workplace, or based on a shared culture or a shared aspect of identity. Grants up to $20,000 are available.

Arts NS also offers a number of awards with cash prizes, including the Black Artist Recognition Award, Indigenous Artist Recognition Award, Emerging Artist Recognition Award, Established Artist Recognition award, and more.

Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs) provide financial, technical, and advisory services to entrepreneurs. The Online Presence Micro Loan, which offers $2,500 in grants and loans to small businesses looking to create or improve their online presence, is one of their most popular funding programs. They also offer social enterprise loans, first-time entrepreneur loans, and numerous other funding and support programs.

Ulnooweg is an organization dedicated to the success of Indigenous communities, individuals, and businesses in Atlantic Canada. Funding is provided through Ulnooweg Development Group, including the Aboriginal Business Financing Program (ABFP), which offers non-repayable business contributions to individual Aboriginal entrepreneurs and community-owned businesses.

Expenses eligible for ABDP support include:

• Business planning
• Establishment and operating costs
• Business acquisitions and expansions
• Local, domestic or export oriented marketing initiatives
• New product or process development
• Adding technology to improve operations and competitiveness
• Financial services
• Business support
• Business-related training and mentoring services.

The Efficiency NS Retrofit Program offers tailored technical and financial support to help businesses reduce their electrical energy consumption and system-peak demand. Efficiency NS has over 200 local partners and is funded by supplying electricity efficiency and conservation activities to Nova Scotia Power.

Other grants are available for specific audiences and purposes, such as seafood and fisheries, agriculture, arts and culture, job creation, and innovation. Check out this detailed guide to small business grants in Nova Scotia for a complete list of available grants.

Small business funding in Nova Scotia is available from:

1. The Government of Canada
2. The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
3. The Government of Nova Scotia
4. Other sources, such as non-profit organizations

Each funding source offers a number of unique funding options, and each funding source and grant has different uses, application requirements, and approval criteria.

If you can’t find a grant program to suit your business or project, or you need fast funding, alternative lenders like Greenbox Capital® offer a streamlined online application and can deposit funding in as little as 24 hours. No collateral is required, making alternative lenders an ideal option for businesses that need smaller loan amounts, can’t offer collateral, have lower credit scores, or need fast funding.

1. “Guide to Small Business Grants in Nova Scotia.” QuickBooks Canada Team. December 2, 2021.