Ignite Atlantic, Nova Scotia’s rural innovation organization, and the Indigenous entrepreneurship group Ulnooweg Development Group have formed a partnership to allow greater support for their members.

The partnership between Ulnooweg and Ignite is designed to encourage community outreach, training, and workshops, and to support the success of entrepreneurs and businesses across Nova Scotia. The two organizations plan to collaborate on industry projects supporting indigenous communities and economic development throughout Atlantic Canada.

“Ignite is honoured and excited to partner with Ulnooweg to grow the vibrant indigenous entrepreneurial communities in Atlantic Canada,” said Ignite Founder and CEO Doug Jones in a statement. “This agreement closely aligns the vision of both Ignite and Ulnooweg and creates collaboration between our organizations to help provide much needed resources and programming to support indigenous entrepreneurs and businesses.”

Ulnooweg nurtures Indigenous entrepreneurship and community-building in Atlantic Canada. It provides access to capital and support services for entrepreneurs with the aim of encouraging wealth creation, and community transformation.

With facilities in Yarmouth and Stellarton, Ignite is Nova Scotia’s rural innovation hub where entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses work together. It encourages the growth of entrepreneurship across industries, including such sectors as technology, oceans, and tourism.

In a separate announcement, Ignite said it had formed a three-month pilot partnership with Halifax-based startup Tranquility Online, which provides a mental health program through a mobile app.

Ignite identified a need for improved mental health resources for its tenants and employees to cope with the stresses that come with running a business during a pandemic. The partnership with Tranquility Online means tenant companies and employees get access to the app for free over a three-month period.

“It’s great to be able to partner with another startup that has its roots in Yarmouth County,” said Jones, referring to Tranquility Co-Founder and CEO Joel Muise, who grew up in the Yarmouth area. “Tranquility is an inspiring success story from our own backyard.”