Business Resources and Supports
Looking for resources, programs, services and support for your business or business idea? Check out the list of available organizations, programs, and services below!
Mentorship and One-on-One Support
Business Link is Alberta’s small business hub and is a non-profit organization that helps people navigate the steps toward starting their own businesses. One-on-one support and guidance, market research, access to experts, training, networking opportunities, and specialized support for Indigenous entrepreneurs are available through Business Link.
Futurpreneur Mentorship + Financing program offers start-up small business owners ages 18-39 the opportunity to receive funding and mentorship. Please note mentorship is only available through financing.
Chambers of Commerce
Membership with your local Chambers of Commerce provides you, the business owner and professional, with value-added benefits, networking opportunities, training programs and workshops, and more. Reach out to your local Chamber to see what benefits await your membership!
- Grimshaw Chamber of Commerce: Check out their website and Facebook page.
- Manning & District Chamber of Commerce: Check out their website and Facebook page.
- Peace River & District Chamber of Commerce: Check out their website and Facebook page.
Free Business Plan Creators
- Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) free business plan template
- Business Link free interactive Business Plan Builder
- Futurpreneur interactive business plan creator.
- Scotiabank Business Plan Creator
Financial Support
Community Futures provides training, counseling, and consulting to support small businesses. They offer rural business loans with a difference.
The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) offers business loans and advisory services to help Canadian businesses grow, both at home and abroad. Through their subsidiary—BDC Capital, they also offer a full spectrum of specialized financing, including venture capital, equity well as growth and business transition capital.
Futurpreneur offers aspiring business owners aged 18-39 financing and mentorship to launch successful businesses across Canada.
Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) AWE offers loans for women-owned businesses in Alberta. AWE can help provide the financing you need to start or grow your business and has a community to support you along the way.
Canada Small Business Financing Program makes it easier for small businesses to get loans from financial institutions by sharing the risk with lenders.
Government of Canada Business Grants and Financing offers loans and grants to businesses. Visit the site to see what financial avenues are available.
Government of Canada Business Benefits Finder provides a detailed list of available benefits for your business, based on the information you provide.
Innovation Canada provides everything from funding to expert advice to driving new collaborations, Innovation Canada programs and services are designed to help businesses innovate, create jobs and grow Canada's economy.
Scotiabank Women Initiative is bridging the access to the capital gap for women-led businesses in Canada through a range of options to help them reach their ongoing objectives.
Venture Capital
Business Development Canada Venture Capital
Crowd Funding
For information on Crowd Funding and how it works check out the National Crowd Funding Association of Canada.
Crowd Funding Sources are:
Resources, Research, Guides, and Tools
Alberta Small Business Resources is a directory of business resources for new and established entrepreneurs in Alberta.
Business Link has a multitude of free guides, resources, and research for all stages of business, including guides for business ideas, starting a small business, running a business, recorded and live webinars, and more, all for free.
Canada Digital Adoption Program offers small and medium-sized businesses the opportunity to grow their business through launching an e-commerce website and boosting their business technology, for free. Experts will assist you through the process, the only commitment you need to make is to dedicate the time.
Canadian Chamber of Commerce offers free resources plus a range of benefits, services, programs, and more through membership.
Futurpreneur offers a library of free resources for entrepreneurs and those who have a business idea.
Start Up Canada (Free)
- Business Owners Toolbox is a central hub that provides a comprehensive package of foundational knowledge, access points, and resources required to start and scale a business in Canada.
- Resource guides for Women Entrepreneurs, Newcomer Entrepreneurs, and Indigenous Entrepreneurs
- Podcasts: Start Up Women, Start Up Canada and Pow Wow Pitch.
Government of Canada Research and Business Intelligence offers industry sector data, financial benchmarks, labour trends, and business statistics.
This page is just a small view of the many resources and supports that are available if you are looking for something that wasn't listed or for something specific, reach out to the County of Northern Lights Economic Development and Community Services Department at 780-836-3348.