The new Cape Breton Business Innovation Centre on George Street in Sydney is bringing key supports together in one location.

By bringing mentorship, programming and shared workspaces together under one roof, the centre helps startups and growing businesses reduce costs, connect with experienced business leaders, explore funding opportunities and focus more time and resources on growing their companies, the partners said in a statement.

“This hub is a game-changer for Cape Breton’s innovation ecosystem,” said Doug Jones, CEO of Ignite Atlantic. “By bringing together entrepreneurs, community champions and key partners under one roof, we’re creating a launchpad where ideas are transformed into thriving businesses.”

Nova Scotia’s Department of Growth and Development will provide $775,000 over three years to the Cape Breton Business Innovation Centre while the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), is providing non-repayable contributions of $405,000 to Ignite Atlantic and $153,700 to Volta toward programming and operations.
Ignite has hired a community navigator and an operations and event co-ordinator to support local engagement and programming, while Volta is providing strategic support to businesses. Both share space with the centre.

The space will also serve as a shared resource for other partners, including Invest Nova Scotia, ACOA, the Black Business Initiative, the Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development and Futurpreneur.