We list 11 open programs for Nova Scotia businesses. Two of them offer most of the money, and the rest cover specific needs.
The two largest programs
The Small Business Loan Guarantee Program offers the largest financing: up to $500,000 as term loans, working capital or a line of credit, arranged through Nova Scotia credit unions with the province backing the loan. That backing can make a lender more willing to consider a business with little history.
ACOA's Business Development Program is Atlantic Canada's regional development program. It offers interest-free, unsecured repayable contributions, not a bank loan, covering up to 50% of capital costs for starting or expanding, and up to 75% of business-growth activities such as training, marketing and productivity work. You must repay it, but on terms no commercial lender offers.
Funding for Indigenous entrepreneurs
Indigenous entrepreneurs in Atlantic Canada can get support through Ulnooweg: the Aboriginal Business Financing Program pays non-repayable contributions up to 75% of business-planning costs, up to 40% of establishment and expansion costs, and up to 60% of marketing initiatives, alongside women-and-youth loans up to $25,000 at 8% over five years.
Business energy rebates
Nova Scotia's business energy rebates cover a portion of efficiency-project costs, with 24-month interest-free financing available on your Nova Scotia Power bill. If you are fitting out a shop or restaurant, check whether the efficiency work qualifies for a rebate.
National programs
Four national programs are open to businesses anywhere in Canada. The Canada Small Business Financing Program backs loans up to $1,150,000 through your own bank, with a 2% registration fee and term-loan interest capped at prime plus 3%. Futurpreneur Canada Side Hustle lends up to $25,000 to owners aged 18 to 39 who keep a full-time income for the first year, and the Futurpreneur Canada Core Start-Up Program combines up to $25,000 from Futurpreneur with up to $50,000 from BDC for up to $75,000 total, with two years of mentorship. BDC Financing: Start-up lends up to $150,000 once you have 12 months of operating history, so it suits your second year, not your first.
Three rules to know before you spend
- Approval comes before purchase. If you start the work before approval, most cost-share programs will not pay any of it.
- Cost-share means reimbursement: you pay first and claim it back with invoices, so plan the cash.
- Grants are generally taxable income; borrowed money is not. Ask your accountant before you spend.
Most applications also want written quotes for the work before anything is approved.
Want the whole country on one page? See the startup funding map, province by province.