Economic Development Support

• Alberta Export Expansion Program - Funding is available to assist export ready companies and not profit organizations enhance access to international markets and attract global buyers.
• ATB Entrepreneur Center - Resources, networking, and events are just some of the offerings. Sign up for their newsletter.
• BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada) - Offers financing and advisory services to entrepreneurs.
• Business Benefits Finder- Search programs and services available to business.
• Business Link - offers a wealth of information on a wide variety of topics to assist small business. This includes the Canada Digital Adoption Program and the Digital Economy Program.
• Community Futures Wildrose - resources such as business loans, mentorship, and supports for operating a small business. They also have office spaces for lease, as well as a meeting room and training space.
• EDC – Export Development Canada - A resource if you wish to expand your business and help grow your international business.
• Futurpreneur - This organization provides support to those of the ages between 18-39. This includes loan financing, mentorship and resources to start or buy a business.
• Startup Canada - This organization is a connector to Canadian entrepreneurs and resources to start and build their businesses. A podcast is available on this site.
• Trade Accelerator Program - Are you looking to expand to world markets?

• District Ventures Capital - A venture capital fund investing in innovation in food and beverage and health and wellness companies.
• Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Program - Programs and services for the agriculture and agri food industry in Alberta. Funding for a variety of projects is available on a shared basis.
• THRIVE by SVG Ventures - Focused on supporting pre-seed stage startups in the agri - food tech sector. The THRIVE Academy is a 12 week pre accelerator program for idea stage entrepreneurs and early stage startups. 

• Alberta Catalyzer - A pre accelerator offering free programs, coaching and resources to early stage entrepreneurs.
• Alberta Innovates - Alberta Innovates provides funding programs, coaching and support and applied research to help the start up community build new technology and drive new ideas.
• 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.
• Platform Calgary - Resources, support, programming and events to help founders launch and grow their startups in the innovation community.

• Alberta Women Entrepreneurs - Provision of loans, programs, events and webinars specific to women in business.
• Women Building Futures - Support and skills training for women in the trades. Opportunities exist throughout Alberta.
• Indigenous  Women’s Entrepreneur Program - Offering workshops, training and mentorship to Indigenous women. Business tools, resources and a micro loan fund to start or scale a business

• Indigenous  Women’s Entrepreneur Program - Offering workshops, training and mentorship to Indigenous women. Business tools, resources and a micro loan fund to start or scale a business.
• National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) - This organization provides funding for Indigenous businesses and communities.

·     Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) - provides Alberta’s farmers and agribusinesses with loans, crop insurance and farm income stabilization.

·         Alberta Job Grant - Programs and Services include transition to Employment Services, Integrated training, Self employment, Workplace Training, and Immigrant Bridging.

·         Business Development Bank of Canada – is the only bank devoted exclusively to entrepreneurs. They offer financing, venture capital, growth & transition capital and consulting services.

·         Business Link – connects entrepreneurs with the most relevant small business resources to help bring innovators’ ideas to life.

·         Canadian Business Network – provides a comprehensive list of government and private sector sources of financing. 

·         Community Futures Wild Rose – provides financing, training and advisory services for small businesses.  Loans are provided to those where traditional bank financing has been declined.

·         Connectica – a free service that helps users connect with Alberta’s ever-expanding research and innovation network. It is a great place to find funding that meets your needs.

·         Export Development Canada - provides financial solutions and trade expertise to help you expand into new markets.

·         Futurepreneur Canada (formerly CYBF) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to growing our economy one entrepreneur at a time.

·         Momentum – is a dedicated to teaching business development, financial literacy and skill training as it relates to training individuals to start their own business.

• Apprenticeship and industry training
   - Become an apprentice – all the information you need to know about becoming an apprentice.
• Temporary Foreign Workers - Hire a temporary foreign worker with a Labour Market Impact Assessment – determine what stream you should apply for.
• Women Building Futures - Support and skills training for women in the trades. Opportunities exist throughout Alberta.

• Prospect Human Services - Supports job seekers in areas such as Skill building, hiring events, and job search.
• Mitacs - Access to a qualified intern, either a graduate student or post doc, to assist you with your innovation goals.