What grants and funding can a small business in Nova Scotia get?
Updated September 2026 · 44 programs verified
44 verified funding programs are open to Nova Scotia small businesses right now: 7 grants and rebates, 36 loans and financing programs, and 1 other support. They range from Canada-wide federal programs to Nova Scotia-specific ones. Every program shows what it's worth, who qualifies, the official source, and the date we last checked it. Verified as recently as .
- 44
- open right now
- 17
- Canada-wide
- 10
- Nova Scotia-wide
- 17
- for specific owner groups
Nova Scotia-wide
Nova Scotia-wide and regional programs
Some serve one region or sector; each card says who it's for.
ACOA Business Development Program: Commercial Component
Up to 50% of costs
Interest-free repayable contributions from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) to start, modernize, or expand a business.
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ACOA Regional Economic Growth through Innovation: Business Scale-up and Productivity
ACOA provides interest-free repayable contributions to help Atlantic Canadian businesses expand operations and adopt new technology.
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Small Business Loan Guarantee Program
Up to $500,000
Access flexible term loans, working capital, or lines of credit to fund your start-up, purchase, or expansion.
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Business energy rebates
Efficiency Nova Scotia offers small businesses rebates on energy-efficient improvements. You can also pay for eligible improvements interest-free…
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CBDC Innovation Loan
Up to $150,000
A loan for rural Atlantic Canadian businesses to pay for new technology, products, or services.
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CBDC General Business Loan
Up to $150,000
A loan to grow or take over a business when standard bank financing is hard to get. You can use it for expansion or working capital, with competitive…
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CBDC First-time Entrepreneur Loan
Up to $150,000
A loan of up to $150,000 for first-time entrepreneurs in rural Atlantic Canada. Local CBDCs also offer counselling and training with the loan.
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Employment Incentives Program
This program helps you hire and train a worker returning from injury by covering part of their wages through a forgivable loan.
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Impact Loan Program (CBDC)
Up to $50,000
This program offers low-interest loans to businesses in urban Atlantic Canada through local Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs).
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Export Development Program
Up to $15,000
This Nova Scotia program pays back part of the cost of export activities, such as travel to markets outside the province, trade shows, and…
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Canada-wide
Federal programs Nova Scotia businesses can use
Student Work Placement Program
Up to $5,000
A federal wage subsidy for employers who hire post-secondary students through the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP).
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BDC: Business Purchase or Transfer Loan
A BDC loan to help you buy an existing Canadian business. It can fund buying a competitor or supplier, a management or employee buyout, taking over a…
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Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit
Up to $2,000
A federal non-refundable tax credit for employers who hire apprentices in Red Seal trades. It is worth 10% of eligible apprentice wages, up to $2,000…
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Community Futures Network of Canada
Community Futures has 267 non-profit offices across Canada. They provide small business loans, training and local support to entrepreneurs in rural…
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BDC: Purchase Order Financing
Up to 90% of costs
A short-term BDC loan that helps Canadian businesses pay suppliers and production costs so they can fill a confirmed customer order when cash flow is…
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BDC Financing: Certified Green Building Loan
Up to 100% of costs
A BDC loan to buy, build or renovate a business property that you plan to get green certified, for example LEED or Zero Carbon.
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Canada Small Business Financing Program
Up to $1,150,000
This program makes it easier to get a business loan by having the government share the lending risk with your bank or credit union.
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BDC Financing: Small Business Loan
Up to $350,000
An online loan of up to $350,000 from BDC, Canada's federal Crown corporation bank. Use it for inventory, hiring and training, marketing, product…
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BDC Financing: Commercial Real Estate Loan
This BDC commercial real estate loan helps established Canadian businesses acquire, expand, or renovate their premises.
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BDC Financing: Start-up
Up to $150,000
A BDC loan of up to $150,000 for businesses that have operated at least 12 months. Use it to buy assets, pay start-up fees, buy a franchise, or pay…
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BDC Financing: Working Capital Term Loan
A BDC term loan for inventory, supplier payments, hiring and other working capital needs. You can pay interest only for up to 24 months at the start.
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BDC Financing: Equipment Purchase Loan
Up to 125% of costs
A BDC loan to buy new or used machinery, vehicles or technology for your business. BDC offers flexible loan terms, including interest-only periods…
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Technology Equipment Loan (BDC)
A BDC loan for IT equipment, software, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure. You pay interest only for the first 24 months and can take up to 8…
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Rise: Small Business Lending
$500–$10,000
Rise offers flexible micro-loans to help you build your business when traditional financing is out of reach.
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Food and Beverage Industry Financing (FCC)
Farm Credit Canada offers loans to food and beverage businesses anywhere in Canada to build, expand, or equip their operations.
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Northern Isolated Community Initiatives Fund
This funding stream under the Northern Isolated Community Initiatives Fund helps Northern agriculture and food businesses build a strong territorial…
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Futurpreneur Canada Side Hustle
Up to $25,000
Launch or scale your side business while keeping your day job. You get access to capital, expert mentoring, and planning tools to build your venture…
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Specific owner groups
Programs for women, Indigenous, young and newcomer founders
These 17 programs are open only to specific owner groups, like women, Indigenous, young or newcomer founders. Worth a look if that's you.
Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program: Access to Capital
Up to $99,999
Non-repayable equity funding to start, expand, or buy a business. This federal program supports Indigenous entrepreneurs through local partners who…
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BDC Financing: Newcomer Entrepreneur Loan
Up to $50,000
Designed for new immigrants, this BDC loan helps you build your business and establish credit in Canada, even if you lack a strong local credit…
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BDC Financing: Inclusive Entrepreneurship Loan
Up to $350,000
A BDC loan for businesses owned and led by women, Indigenous or Black entrepreneurs. Use it for equipment, technology or growth projects, at…
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BDC Financing: Indigenous Entrepreneur Loan
Up to $350,000
A loan from BDC, Canada's federal Crown corporation bank, for Indigenous entrepreneurs who want to grow or modernize their business.
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Aboriginal Business Financing Program (ABFP)
Up to 75% of costs
The Aboriginal Business Financing Program provides non-repayable contributions to Indigenous entrepreneurs and community-owned businesses in the…
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Black Entrepreneurship Program – Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund
$25,000–$250,000
A federal loan program for Black business owners across Canada. Loans range from $25,000 to $250,000 for business development and growth.
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Ulnooweg Women and Youth Business Loans
Up to $25,000
Ulnooweg's Women and Youth Lending offers Indigenous women and young entrepreneurs in the Atlantic provinces business loans of up to $25,000 at 8%…
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Futurpreneur Canada Indigenous Startup Program (IESP)
Up to $75,000
This program provides up to $75,000 in loan financing and up to two years of dedicated mentorship for young Indigenous founders.
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Micro Lending Program
Up to $5,000
The Atlantic Indigenous Business Fund offers loans and non-repayable contributions to Indigenous entrepreneurs who want to start, expand, or buy a…
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Young Entrepreneur Loan (Farm Credit Canada)
Up to $2,000,000
A Farm Credit Canada loan for young entrepreneurs who want to start or grow an agricultural or food-related business.
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Women Entrepreneur Program (Farm Credit Canada)
Farm Credit Canada's Women Entrepreneur Program is for women in agriculture, agribusiness and food.
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CBDC Youth Loan
Up to $150,000
A loan for young entrepreneurs who want to start or grow a business in rural Atlantic Canada. You arrange the loan through your local CBDC.
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CBDC Immigrant Loan program: Pilot Project
Up to $20,000
This CBDC pilot offers loans and advice to help temporary residents start or run a business.
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Futurpreneur Canada Core Entrepreneur Startup Program for Students
Up to $75,000
Futurpreneur Canada offers young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39 flexible financing and dedicated mentorship.
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Futurpreneur Canada Core Start-Up Program
Up to $75,000
This program pairs startup financing with mentorship for young Canadian entrepreneurs.
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Futurpreneur Canada Newcomer Program
Up to $25,000
This program helps newcomers start a business in Canada. It pairs up to $25,000 in loan financing with dedicated mentorship, and it is designed for…
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Futurpreneur Canada Black Entrepreneur Startup Program
Up to $75,000
This program pairs flexible loan financing with hands-on mentorship for young Black entrepreneurs across Canada.
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Decision guide
Which program should you start with?
- You want money you don't repay →
- This page lists 7 grants and rebates. 5 are open to any business owner and 2 are only for specific owner groups (listed in their own section). The table above shows the largest caps first.
- You can repay and need bigger capital →
- 36 loans and financing programs serve Nova Scotia. 21 are open to any business owner and 15 are only for specific owner groups (listed in their own section). The largest open to any business owner is up to $1,150,000 . Every card says whether it is a grant or a loan.
- Not sure where to start →
- The free 2-minute fit check matches your business, city and project to this list and shows what may fit.
Deadlines
The application calendar
Verified intake deadlines, grouped by quarter. Deadlines move. Each program shows the date we last checked it.
Q1 2027
- Export Development Program: closes March 10, 2027
26 open programs have no fixed deadline. Some grant intakes can still close early when their budget runs out.
Frequently asked questions
How many funding programs are open to Nova Scotia small businesses right now?
44 verified programs are open as of our latest checks: 17 Canada-wide, 10 Nova Scotia-wide and 17 open only to specific owner groups. Programs open and close through the year, so every program shows the date we last checked it.
Are these grants or loans?
Both, clearly labelled. Of the 44 open programs, 7 are grants or rebates you don't repay and 36 are loans or financing you do repay. The remaining one is a tax credit. Every card says whether it is a grant or a loan.
Who decides whether my business gets approved?
Each program's administrator decides who gets approved, never us. BBN Labs is an independent Canadian company, not a government agency. We verify and explain the programs, and applying through the official program site is always free.
Closed right now · re-checked weekly
Programs close and reopen on their own cycles. These Nova Scotia programs are closed at our last weekly check. Each page shows what the program offered, what may replace it, and a reopen alert you can join.
Market Opportunities and Diversification Program · Tourism Digital Assistance Program
Sources
Every record on this page links its official source. The programs above are verified with:
- 1. bdc.ca · 12 programs
- 2. futurpreneur.ca · 6 programs
- 3. cbdc.ca · 6 programs
- 4. canada.ca · 4 programs
- 5. fcc-fac.ca · 3 programs
- 6. ulnoowegdevelopmentgroup.ca · 3 programs
- 7. communityfuturescanada.ca · 1 program
- 8. ised-isde.canada.ca · 1 program
Guides
Read before you apply
Guides for the programs on this page: what they pay for, what is not covered, and how to apply.
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