Founders Resources

Whether you’re getting started, need funding to fuel your product idea, scaling-up, or knee-deep in research, we have your resources.

Start a Company
Non-dilutive funding
Grow your startup
Research & Development

Start a company

If you’ve done your homework and now you’re ready to start a company, below are some resources that can help.

START A COMPANY

Office of Commercialization and Industry Engagement

The Office of Commercialization and Industry Engagement (OCIE) serves as Dalhousie’s gateway for collaboration, support, access, and early assistance.

START A COMPANY

ACOA Business Information Services

No matter what your business question is, we’ll help you find the answer. Let our bilingual staff help you navigate the worlds of government programs and services, regulations and permits, taxation, importing and exporting, market research and much more.

START A COMPANY

Dalhousie Tech & Innovation Law Clinic

Helping technology start-ups de-risk and scale during their vulnerable years will lead to more success stories resulting in more jobs, more innovation, and more skilled workers in the area. Our goal is to be one of many support catalysts working to grow the culture of innovation and the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Atlantic Canada.

Non-dilutive funding

Non-dilutive funding is any kind of funding that does not require you to give up ownership of your company. Options of non-dilutive include loans, grants, vouchers, and tax credits. The programs below are those most frequently used by our startups.

NON-DILUTIVE FUNDING

ACOA Programs

For companies located in Atlantic Canada with plans to grow their operation in this region (economic benefit for Atlantic Canada).

NON-DILUTIVE FUNDING

Invest Nova Scotia

Various grants; program dependent – must be located in Atlantic Canada/Nova Scotia

NON-DILUTIVE FUNDING

NRC- IRAP

The National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) provides advice, connections, and funding to help Canadian small and medium-sized businesses increase their innovation capacity and take ideas to market.

NON-DILUTIVE FUNDING

RBCx

Support for tech companies of all sizes, across all stages, with specialized products and services.

NON-DILUTIVE FUNDING

ISED Testing Stream

The program provides funding to a government unit (ie. Department of Fisheries, etc), to purchase your product.

NON-DILUTIVE FUNDING

Fundica

A database that matches businesses, particularly startups and SMEs in the technology sector, with appropriate sources of funding.

NON-DILUTIVE FUNDING

Grants and government funding

The official Canadian Government website that allows you to narrow down funding opportunities.

NON-DILUTIVE FUNDING

Atlantic Canada business grants

All the sources of financial support available to Atlantic Canadian business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.

NON-DILUTIVE FUNDING

Mitacs Accelerate

Grant (leveraged funding): Research collaboration with a Student or Post-Doc at an Academic Institution (ie. Dalhousie University)

NON-DILUTIVE FUNDING

SR&ED: Tax Credits for Salaries and Wages

The Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Program uses tax incentives to encourage Canadian businesses of all sizes and in all sectors to conduct research and development (R&D) in Canada. These tax incentives come in three forms: an income tax deduction, an investment tax credit (ITC), and, in certain circumstances, a refund.

NON-DILUTIVE FUNDING

Futurpreneur

For founders aged 18-39 – collateral-free loans up to $20,000 with a term over five years.

Grow your startup

Do you need to grow your team? Are you ready for investment? Check out the programs and resources below.

GROW YOUR STARTUP

Export Development Program

The Export Development Program (EDP) is for Nova Scotia businesses looking to: increase sales outside of Nova Scotia, adopt technology and enhance e-commerce, improve competitiveness.

GROW YOUR STARTUP

29 Terms You Should Know Before You Invest

From our friends at Future Capital – learn these 29 terms before going for investment.

GROW YOUR STARTUP

Nova Scotia Incentive Programs and Resources for Hiring Employees

Get help hiring and training your staff so you can grow your business.

GROW YOUR STARTUP

Hire Co-Op Student Employees

The Co-op Education Incentive (CO-OP) provides wage assistance to organizations that offer career-related work experiences for university and college co-operative students.

GROW YOUR STARTUP

Next Founders

Next Founders accelerates the growth of Canada’s most promising entrepreneurs. This program is for founders looking to develop as an entrepreneur who are building a scalable venture with traction that could include funding (pre-seed to seed), significant revenue and full-time employees.

Research & Development

Research and development (R&D) supports innovation and enables new technology development. R&D is not just for large established firms, it is equally as important for smaller companies and especially tech-driven startups. Below are some of of the resources in Atlantic Canada that can support R&D.

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Office of Research Services (ORS) – Dalhousie University

The Office of Research Services connects you with opportunities to bring your research ideas to life.

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Lab2Market

Canada is a breeding ground for great minds, and even better researchers. If you are a researcher that’s interested in Lab2Market entrepreneurship, it’s time to bring your ideas from the lab to the market.

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Research Nova Scotia

Research Nova Scotia supports, organizes, and coordinates research. With the curiosity to imagine a better world, and the determination to make it real, we champion the people and resources needed to improve the lives of Nova Scotians.

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Enginuity

Your One-Stop Engineering Solutions Provider. Canadian leader in mechanical engineering, electronics design, robotics, automation, and product design, we are on a mission to be the region’s most impactful design and engineering group.

Reach the HUB

For early-stage deep tech innovators, this is the space to create.

Founders Resources

Start a company

Office of Commercialization and Industry Engagement

ACOA Business Information Services

Dalhousie Tech & Innovation Law Clinic

Non-dilutive funding

ACOA Programs

Invest Nova Scotia

NRC- IRAP

RBCx

ISED Testing Stream

Fundica

Grants and government funding

Atlantic Canada business grants

Mitacs Accelerate

SR&ED: Tax Credits for Salaries and Wages

Futurpreneur

Grow your startup

Export Development Program

29 Terms You Should Know Before You Invest

Nova Scotia Incentive Programs and Resources for Hiring Employees

Hire Co-Op Student Employees

Next Founders

Research & Development

Office of Research Services (ORS) – Dalhousie University

Lab2Market

Research Nova Scotia

Enginuity

Reach the HUB

Tell us what you’re looking for: