There are many resources available in Newfoundland and Labrador to help students and residents innovate and grow their businesses. These resources include organizations offering general planning and business support, funding, business incubation and professional associations.

For graduate students at Memorial's Grenfell campus, the Navigate Centre addresses the needs of potential entrepreneurs in the pre start-up phase of business development, and connects those individuals with various resources, programs and agencies that exist to meet their needs.

Planning and Business Support 

Association for New Canadians (ANC)

AXIS (Acquiring eXperience; Integrating Skills) is a division of the ANC. This program provides comprehensive, career-focused services and employment programs for internationally educated workers and entrepreneurs. Through interactive engagement with employers and collaborative partnerships with all levels of government, industry and the community, AXIS aims to facilitate successful labour market integration for newcomers. AXIS also offers business support to international and immigrant entrepreneurs.

Canada Business Network

Canada Business Network (CBN) is a business information resources centre that provides free and confidential business counseling to new entrepreneurs, existing businesses, community groups and many other in the general public. Canada Business Network promotes entrepreneurship and innovation, and provides assistance through an organized network of service centres across Canada. There is a centre in each province and territory working with partners in many communities across their region, including one in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Common Ground

Common Ground Coworking is St. John's first coworking space, offering individuals and small teams an inspiring place to work and collaborate. Many entreprneuers, community groups, and students feel isolate and open to distractions in coffee shops and home offices -- and many are wary of the committment that comes with leasing space. Common Ground solves these roadblocks by offering month-by-month coworking memberships with access to professional boardrooms and all maintenance and amenities provided for you.

Femmepreneur YYT

Femmepreneur YYT is an online space for all women and gender non-conforming entrepreneurs of all backgrounds to discuss life as business owners, to share advice, opportunities and support one another in this hectic -- but unbelievably rewarding -- life journey we're all on together. This group can be found on Facebook and is a great place for femmepreneurs to connect, get advice and build their entrepreneurial support community. 

YMCA Business Planning Program

The YMCA Business Planning Program delivers business development services to entrepreneurs in Newfoundland and Labrador. Entrepreneurs receive interactive, personalized business development through our programs. Through business plan development support, one-on-one business coaching, and a variety of seminars on key topics in small business, the YMCA Business Planning Program empowers entrepreneurs by giving them practical, essential business skills in the startup phase.

Funding

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) is the Government of Canada agency responsible for helping to create opportunities for economic growth in the Atlantic Provinces by working with the people of the region – in their communities, through their institutions and with their local and provincial governments and businesses.

Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)

BDC is Canada’s business development bank and the only financial institution devoted exclusively to entrepreneurs. They help create and develop strong Canadian businesses through financing, advisory services and capital, with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises.

Futurpreneur Canada

Futurpreneur Canada is a national non-profit organization that provides financing, mentoring, and support tools to aspiring business owners aged 18-39. Their program is internationally recognized and hand matches aspiring business owners with a business expert from a network of over 2,800 volunteer mentors.

NL Association of CBDCs

CBDCs assist in the creation of small businesses and in the expansion and modernization of existing businesses by providing financial and technical services to entrepreneurs. CBDC services are typically targeted to entrepreneurs who require customized financing not normally available from traditional sources.

Metro Business Opportunities (MBO)

Metro Business Opportunities is a non-profit business development corporation that has been proudly helping entrepreneurs succeed for more than 25 years. MBO supports opportunities to start or grow Business or Social Enterprise through business advisory, lending, and training offerings. The team at Metro Business supports entrepreneurs of all ages from idea generation, start-up, and growth and also offers consulting services and support to businesses and government. 

Business Incubation

Genesis Centre 

The Genesis Centre is an award-winning business incubator for technology start-ups. They accelerate start-ups through all stages of idea development, connect clinets with top mentors and advisors, along with marketing, funding, office space and technical resources to help them succeed. The Genesis Centre's goal is to help entrepreneurs commercialize their ideas and to build successful companies in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Propel ICT

Propel ICT is Atlantic Canada's startup accelerator. Their mission ins to educate and mentor entrepreneurs with the goal of launching Atlantic Canada's first billion dollar tech company. They do this through their two accelerators - Launch and Build, which are comprised of a 12-week intensive program. Launch guides entrepreneurs through the early stages of validating, developing and launching a startup. Build focuses on later stage startups, those who have progressed beyond the idea phase and earned initial market traction.

Professional Associations

St. John's Board of Trade Connector Program

The award winning Connector Program is a networking program that helps local businesses and organizations connect with immigrants, international students and graduates who are interested in starting and growing their career in St. John's. Throuhg one-on-one meetings, local business and community leaders are able to meet with a wealth of diverse, pre-qualified talent to gain insight and connect with career opportunities. 

Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technology Industries (NATI) 

The Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technology Industries (NATI) is a not-for-profit industry association representing the province's advanced technology sector. NATI provides leadership to the technology sector through policy development and advocacy activities. Additionally, NATI works to connect key players in the industry through networking events and regular industry communications. Program support for the development and growth of local technology companies, as well as assistance in identification, engagement, and development of export opportunities, is provided by NATI to its membership.

Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA)

The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the development of clean technology and the growth of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. To accomplish this, NEIA aims to: contribute to the development of new enterprises; the retention and growth of existing local enterprises; the attraction of new enterprises to the region; and the creation of conditions for these activities to take place – be it through regulatory frameworks, general business climate, or sector awareness.

Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs (NLOWE)

Founded in 1997, NLOWE has been supporting and encouraging women entrepreneurs for two decades. Women entrepreneurs face unique challenges and opportunities; NLOWE provide the support you need to overcome challenges and take advantage of exciting opportunities as you start your venture or grow your existing business. NLOWE’s mandate is simple… provide programs and services that connect and support women within Newfoundland and Labrador to start, grow and advance their businesses.