Atlantic Canada Business Grants

Halifax

Options Youth

Amount:

 $6,300.00 

Type of Program:

Subsidy

Description:

Options Youth is an employment wage subsidy program funded by Service Canada and facilitated by the Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre and Enactus Saint Mary’s. The program consist of personalized skill training and paid work placements to help Nova Scotian youth overcome barriers to enter the workforce.

Comments on Funding:

Funding is a 700 hour wage subsidy, covering up to $9/hr, up to a maximum of $6,300

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling deadline

Eligibility:

The applicant must:

  • be employers in Nova Scotia,
  • hire a participant who will engage in virtual training throughout the program
  • place the participant on payroll. 

The participant must be:

  • between 15 and 30 years of age (inclusive) at the time of intake/selection,
  • a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person as defined by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act,
  • legally entitled to work in Canada,
  • in need of assistance to overcome employment barriers.

Application Steps:

1

complete the online application form,

2

hire a participant who will engage in virtual training throughout the program

3

invoice the program each month, 

4

provide monthly reports to the Project Manager.

Documentation Needed:

No specific documentation has been identified.

Other Things to Note:

The Options Youth Program is an employment wage subsidy program, facilitated by the Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre and funded by Service Canada.

Program Contact:

Options Youth SMU website

Startup & Expansion Loans

Amount:

$25,000

Type of Program:

Loan

Description:

The Startup & Expansion Loans are for small and medium-sized businesses run by entrepreneurs of all ages. Recipients get support to develop their business knowledge and skills in marketing, accounting, human resources and business planning. Low-interest loans of up to $25,000 are available, with flexible repayment terms and no penalty for early repayment of the principal.  

Comments on Funding:

Funding ranges from $5,000 to $25,000 with a low interest rate of Prime + 2%, low principal payments and no penalty for early repayment.
All $5,000 loans are interest free for 6 months.

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling deadline

Eligibility:

The applicant must:

  • entrepreneurs of all ages,
  • businesses registered within the Halifax, Dartmouth and Bedford boundaries. 

Application Steps:

1

Applicants must apply through the online form.

Documentation Needed:

No specific documentation has been identified

Other Things to Note:

CEED Programs are delivered in partnership with ACOA and the Province of Nova Scotia.

Program Contact:

Startup & Expansion Loans

Exploration Fund

Amount:

$25,000

Type of Program:

Investment

Description:

The Exploration Fund offers up to $25,000 in the form of a SAFE agreement to businesses who meet the eligibility criteria and successfully pass through the fund’s due diligence process. 

Comments on Funding:

Funding will take the form of a SAFE agreement of up to $25,000.

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling deadline

Eligibility:

The applicant must be a current Saint Mary’s University (SMU) student or recent alumni who is running a start-up that has:

  • strong user feedback, or traction via early orders or sales;
  • proof of concept, MVP (Minimum Viable Product), or a product already in market;
  • plans to grow the business;
  • well-defined, short-term strategy;
  • clear market differentiation.

Application Steps:

1

Applicants must apply by attending an introductory meeting;

2

Applicants must go through the due diligence process.

Documentation Needed: 

No specific documentation has been identified.

Program Contact:

Exploration Fund – Saint Mary's University Entrepreneurship Centre

March Madness Pitch Competition

Amount:

$10,000

Type of Program:

Competition

Description:

The competition showcases post-secondary student pitchers throughout the month of March. Modelled after the NCAA March Madness basketball competition, 64 student entrepreneurs from across Canada will be selected to compete head-to-head in brackets as they strive to eventually be declared the best in the country. 

Comments on Funding:

Funding will take the form of a prize of:

  1. 1
    $10,000 for the 1st place team;
  2. 2
    $5,000 for the 2nd place team;
  3. 3
    $1,000 for 3rd and 4th place teams.

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Next deadlines to be determined

Eligibility:

The applicant must:

  • own a startup in the idea or operational phase (annual revenue must not exceed $20,000);
  • not have previously received any sort of venture capital, or Angel investments;
  • be a student at a post-secondary institution.

Application Steps:

1

Applicants must submit the online application form.

Documentation Needed: 

No specific documentation has been identified.

Program Contact:

March Madness – Saint Mary's University Entrepreneurship Centre