You don't become an expert business manager overnight. Seeking the advice of peers, professional business counsellors and coaches can help your transition from new business owner to experienced entrepreneur.
Some financing organizations also offer networking, coaching, and other business support services. Visit our Grants and Finances section for more information.
Access a wide range of business support services that can guide you in starting or growing your business.
Find out about business opportunities and specific networking forums.
Connect with experienced business advisors who can help develop your skills and achieve your business goals.
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Aboriginal Business Mentorship Program
http://www.ccab.com/aboriginal_business_mentorship_program
As an Aboriginal business owner and a member of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, you could get a mentor to help you develop your skills.
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Best business practices (only available in French)
http://www.mdeie.gouv.qc.ca/objectifs/ameliorer/formation-et-perfectionnement/page/formations-9967/?tx_igaffichagepages_pi1%5Bmode%5D=single&tx_igaffichagepages
Improve your knowledge of business practices with custom-made practical courses, workshops and seminars offered by this program.
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Business Services — Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities
http://www.cdem.com/content.php?pageID=33
Access a wide range of services to business in French. Tap into expertise to create or grow your business.
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Manitoba Marketing Network Business Mentoring Program
http://manitobamarketingnetwork.ca/mentoring.html
Find out how this valuable business-to-business mentorship program can help you evolve your business.
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Business Advisory Services
http://smedco.ca/main.php?p=2827
Are you of Métis ancestry and thinking of starting a business? The SaskMetis Economic Development Corporation provides general business information, consulting services and business development workshops.
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Business Advisory Services (Ontario)
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2575/
Applies to: Ontario
Access expert help to expand your small to medium-sized business into new local or international markets.
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Canadian Executive Service Organization - Aboriginal Services
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/3395/
Applies to: All of Canada
Are you a small aboriginal company that is looking for advice on business start-up?
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Canadian Women in Communications
http://www.cwc-afc.com
Are you a woman entrepreneur in the communications sector who is looking for mentorship or guidance? Find out how leadership development and mentoring services can help you achieve your business goals.
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Centre d'entreprises et d'innovation de Montréal
http://www.ceim.org/index.aspx?Lang=EN-CA
Get specialized advice to start up and develop your information technology, industrial technology, multimedia or life sciences business.
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Centre for Women in Business
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/4491/
Applies to: Nova Scotia
Are you a woman entrepreneur from Nova Scotia who needs information to start or grow your business? If so, take advantage of the support and resources offered by the Centre for Women in Business.
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Community Futures Development Corporations — Western Canada
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/3085/
Applies to: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan
If you live in a rural region of Western Canada and want to start or grow your business, you can get business counseling and training in your area.
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Community Futures Network of Canada
http://www.communityfuturescanada.ca/
Are you starting a business in a rural or northern community? This site contains a link to the Community Futures Development Corporation in your area that can help you get started.
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Conseil de développement économique de l’Alberta
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/3421/
Applies to: Alberta, Quebec
If you are francophone and live in Alberta, you can get counselling and training to help you start or grow a business.
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Détail formation (only available in French)
http://www.detailformation.com/
Take advantage of training services for your retail, service, food, restaurant or tourism business.
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Economic Development Officers
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2906/
Applies to: Northwest Territories
Obtain business support services for entrepreneurs operating in the Northwest Territories.
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Enterprise Network
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2056/
Applies to: New Brunswick
Want to start or grow your business in New Brunswick? Your local Enterprise Agency may have some advice, programs or services that can help.
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Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Network
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/3172/
Applies to: Nova Scotia
If you are a Nova Scotia entrepreneur with a disability, you can access business support, training, and opportunities for networking.
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Entrepreneurs’ Forum Advisory Services
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/3533/
Applies to: New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island
Obtain free advice from business advisors for your innovative or knowledge-based business.
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Entrepreneurship Centre (Montréal)
http://www.ydesfemmesmtl.org/En/Entrepreneurship_en.html
Access a wide range of business support services created to respond to the particular needs of women entrepreneurs who own small and medium-sized businesses.
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Eskasoni Business Support
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/3081/
Applies to: Nova Scotia
Eskasoni Band members can get free business support for entrepreneurial ventures.
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Fondation de l'entrepreneurship (only available in French)
http://www.entrepreneurship.qc.ca/
Find a mentor or join the network. Learn about entrepreneurial culture in Quebec.
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Fondation du maire: le Montréal inc. de demain
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2444/
Applies to: Quebec
If you are a young Montreal entrepreneur, you could receive a grant of between $5,000 and $30,000 to start up your business as well as advice or training.
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Guest Advisor Program
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/3134/
Applies to: Alberta
Talk to an expert about your business concerns regarding management, legal matters, accounting and financing.
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Guest Advisor Program — Saskatchewan
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/3245/
Applies to: Saskatchewan
Would you like to meet with a lawyer, an accountant, business consultant or trade-mark agent for a free consultation to discuss your business concerns?
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ventureLAB
http://www.theventurelab.ca/
Get free mentoring and expert advice to help connect you to the programs you need to grow your innovative business.
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Jeune Chambre de commerce de Montréal
http://www.jccm.org/en/index.asp
As a young entrepreneur in Montreal, you can develop your personal and professional network and find a mentor.
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Marketing Booster Program
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/6864/
Applies to: All of Canada
Find out how to market your small business and get up to 40 hours of individual business coaching when you participate in these interactive marketing workshops.
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Métis Youth Program
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2422/
Applies to: Saskatchewan
Are you between the ages of 18 and 35 and a Saskatchewan resident of Métis ancestry? You could get advice and financing to start your own business.
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Northern Alberta Business Incubator
http://www.nabi.ca/
Get assistance in starting and growing your business in the Edmonton area with the help of a business incubator. Services include coaching, training, office space, and shared administrative support.
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Northern Business Service Centre
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2624/
Applies to: Saskatchewan
If you live in northern Saskatchewan, get help with your new or existing business needs.
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PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise
http://www.paro.ca/
If you are a woman entrepreneur in Northern Ontario, you can find coaching, training and peer lending programs to help you start or grow a business.
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Queen's Centre for Business Venturing
http://business.queensu.ca/centres/qcbv/index.php
Take advantage of business training and find financial resources for your innovative business.
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RECOMEX (only available in French)
http://www.recomex.ca/index.jsp?numPage=7
Are you thinking of exporting? Get expert advice and access to international contacts through this network.
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Regional Access Partners — Saskatchewan
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/guide/2779/
Get help starting or expanding your business from any of the 14 Regional Access Partners that are members of the business infosource network.
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Community partners — service location finder
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/3139/
Applies to: Ontario
Find in-person assistance to help you start and grow your business.
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Regional Development Authorities - Business Support
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/3552/
Applies to: Nova Scotia
Receive support and counselling on starting your business or making it more profitable.
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Réseau des SADC du Québec - SADC Network
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/3109/
Applies to: Quebec
If you live in a rural region of Quebec, you could access business counseling, financing and training to start or grow your business.
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Saskatchewan Indian Equity Foundation Inc. Business Services Office
http://www.sief.sk.ca:8080/sief?PAGEID=20
As an Aboriginal entrepreneur, take advantage of the learning opportunities and advisory services offered to you in accounting, management, financing, business planning and more.
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SEED Winnipeg Inc. - Supporting Employment and Economic Development
http://www.seedwinnipeg.ca/
Are you a low-income individual, group, organization or economically-distressed neighbourhood looking to grow your economic vitality? SEED helps individuals or groups start small businesses and save money for future goals.
You can get business management training, individual consulting, access to small business loans, and more.
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Small Business Enterprise Centres (Ontario)
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2574/
Applies to: Ontario
Get help to start or grow your small business in Ontario.
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Small business training
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/3141/
Applies to: Alberta
Check out the following training sessions in Alberta that can help you start or grow your business.
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Starting a business (only available in French)
http://www.lancement-e.com/portail/
You can obtain highly qualified professional support to start up your business and training tailored to your business project.
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TEC Edmonton
http://www.tecedmonton.com/HOME/Entrepreneur/tabid/90/Default.aspx
Find the resources and services you need to bring an invention or business to market, including mentoring, business planning, market analysis, and much more.
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Ulnooweg Business Services Program
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/3053/
Applies to: New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island
If you are an Aboriginal business, you can get free business advice during any development stage of your product or service.
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Nova Scotia's University Business Development Centres
http://www.centreforwomeninbusiness.ca/en/home/aboutus/partners/ubdc.aspx
Access training, guidance and expert advice to start or grow your business at one of six University Business Development Centres located across Nova Scotia.
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University of Regina Centre for Management Development – UR Business
http://www.uregina.ca/admin/cmd/index.html
Looking for help in managing your business? This centre offers you business consulting services in the areas of entrepreneurship, innovation, marketing, and human resources, as well as in financial, operational and strategic management.
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Winnipeg Entrepreneur Exchange
http://www.winnipegentrepreneurs.com/
Meet people who are as passionate about their business as you are about yours. The objectives of this Winnipeg-based group of entrepreneurs and entrepreneur-supporters include mentorship, education, networking, and fun.
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Women Entrepreneurial Center of Québec
http://www.cefq.ca/en
Are you a woman entrepreneur starting or expanding a business? You could maximize your entrepreneurial potential and attain financial independence.
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Women Presidents' Organization
http://www.womenpresidentsorg.com/about-us
Find out how you can network and increase the visibility of your company as a woman president.
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Women’s Enterprise Centre of Manitoba
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2599/
Applies to: Manitoba
Business information, guidance and financing for women entrepreneurs
Learn about organizations that offer support services to businesses in your industry.
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Alliance numérique
http://www.alliancenumerique.com/en/index.html
Get training on business intelligence in the digital industry and access the information you need for an exploratory approach.
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Arts and Cultural Industries Association of Manitoba Inc.
http://www.creativemanitoba.ca
Are you an artist entrepreneur or is your business in the creative sector? Find out how this association can help you.
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BioEnterprise
http://www.bioenterprise.ca/index.cfm?page=work
If you are introducing an agriculture or agri-food innovation product or service into the market, you may be eligible for support to help grow your business.
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Business tools, strategies, reports and resources for the tourism industry
http://www.mtc.gov.on.ca/en/invest/investment_bus_tools.shtml
Access tools, publications and industry resources to help start and run your tourism business in Ontario.
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Innovate Calgary
http://www.innovatecalgary.com
Access programs, services, and other resources to help start and grow your innovative technology-focused business.
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Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters
http://www.cme-mec.ca/english
If you are in the business of manufacturing or exporting, this group can promote your interests by providing cost-saving services and by enhancing your rights.
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Canadian Women in Communications
http://www.cwc-afc.com
Are you a woman entrepreneur in the communications sector who is looking for mentorship or guidance? Find out how leadership development and mentoring services can help you achieve your business goals.
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Centre de recherche industrielle du Québec
http://www.criq.qc.ca/index_ang.html
Benefit from the help of experts to certify a product, test a concept, verify a manufacturing procedure or implement a business intelligence service.
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Centre francophone d'informatisation des organisations (only available in French)
http://www.cefrio.qc.ca/
Consult the CEFRIO to obtain survey results, reports on major recurring studies as well as information on the state-of-the-art information technologies.
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Consulting Engineers of Ontario
http://www.ceo.on.ca/home.asp
If you are an engineering consultant, this organization can help you access networking, professional development, education and more.
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FrontCounter BC
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2877/
Applies to: British Columbia
If you are operating a business in the natural resource industry (mining, forestry, agriculture, water and land), FrontCounterBC provides services to help you with the industry's necessary authorizations, applications, licenses and permits.
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Manitoba Irrigation Development Program
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/3144/
Applies to: Manitoba
Is irrigation your business? Access support and liaison services to help you meet market demands for irrigated crop production.
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Manitoba Management Plus Program
http://www.mmpp.com/mmpp.nsf/mmpp_index.html
If you are a farmer, you can access user-friendly crop production and management information to improve on-farm decision-making.
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Manitoba Marketing Network Business Mentoring Program
http://manitobamarketingnetwork.ca/mentoring.html
Find out how this valuable business-to-business mentorship program can help you evolve your business.
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Music Nova Scotia
http://www.musicnovascotia.ca/Member-Info/
If you're in the music business in Nova Scotia, you may want to take advantage of the many benefits Music Nova Scotia offers its members.
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Northern Film and Video Industry Association
http://www.nfvia.com/
If you are a film or video producer, find out how membership in this organization can help you with training, equipment rental and support of your productions in the Yukon.
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Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association
http://nacaarts.com/english
If you are a visual artist in Nunavut, you can get help to promote your work.
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Quebec liaison and transfer centres (only available in French)
http://www.mdeie.gouv.qc.ca/objectifs/creer-liens/reseaux-de-recherche/page/valorisation-et-transfert-12510/?tx_igaffichagepages_pi1[mode]=single&tx_igaffichagepages_pi1[backPid]=43&tx_igaffichagepages_pi1[currentCat]=&cHash=1caf7693545f1fa11ea
Get liaison officers to help you enter into strategic alliances with Quebec universities and finance your research and development projects.
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Tourism Intelligence Network
http://www.tourismintelligence.ca/
If you are looking for value-added information to enhance your competitiveness in the tourism sector, you can get help from the Network's staff researchers.
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Wilderness Tourism Association of the Yukon
http://www.wtay.com
Do you provide wilderness adventure services? If so, find out how membership in this association will allow you to access business support, advocacy and networking opportunities.
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York Technology Alliance
http://www.yorktech.ca/
Find help to grow your technology business and connect with other technology leaders in the Greater Toronto Area.
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Yukon Film & Sound Commission
http://www.reelyukon.com/
Get information on programs, funds, incentives, and initiatives available to the film and sound recording industry in the Yukon.
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Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon
http://www.tiayukon.com/
Find out how these business development programs and services can help your tourism business.