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Business Navigators - NS - Nova Scotia - Canada
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Business Navigators - NS

Last Update: March 4, 2026
Nova Scotia, Canada
Help understanding business regulations in Nova Scotia
Expert Advice

Overview

Get timely information on rules and regulations specific to your business and help understanding how to comply with provincial regulations.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Reduce the ecological footprint
  • Selling in a new market
  • Marketing a product
Eligible Funding
  • No Condition
Timeline
  • Open continuously

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
  • Construction
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail trade
  • Arts, entertainment and recreation
  • Accommodation and food services
Location
  • Nova Scotia
Legal structures
  • For-profit business
  • Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
  • All revenue ranges
Organisation size
  • All organization sizes
Audience
  • Startups

Activities funded

Business Navigators - NS aims to assist individuals in understanding the process of starting a business in Nova Scotia by providing guidance on regulatory and operational requirements. This includes helping with specific types of businesses and offering necessary resources.

  • Guidance on starting a business, including understanding necessary regulations, licences, permits, and inspections.
  • Providing overview guides on starting specific businesses such as restaurants, breweries, and convenience stores.
  • Offering resources and information on financing, taxes, staffing, and start-up funding opportunities.
  • Facilitating contact through Business Navigator Contact Form for personalized inquiries and support.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 18,000
Establishing a cooperative workspace with necessary equipment
$ 11,000
Setting up a non-profit art gallery and obtaining necessary permits
$ 11,000
Launching a mobile app development business with required permits
$ 12,000
Opening a community kitchen to provide meals to the underprivileged
$ 11,000
Opening an organic grocery store and obtaining necessary licenses
$ 13,000
Starting an IT consulting business with necessary permits and licenses

Eligibility

Eligibility criteria for assistance from Business Navigators include specific requirements for engaging with the service.

  • Individuals must be looking to start a business in Nova Scotia.
  • The enquiry should be related to understanding regulations, permits, licences, or registrations necessary for business operation.
  • Applicants can seek information on starting specific types of businesses, such as restaurants, garages, or food trucks, among others.

Who is eligible?

The Business Navigator service is designed for individuals or entities looking to start a business in Nova Scotia. This service provides guidance on understanding regulations, obtaining necessary permits and licenses, and addressing inspection requirements. It is especially relevant for those aiming to start specific types of businesses such as a restaurant, garage, brewery, farm, or similar ventures in Nova Scotia. Entrepreneurs seeking to understand the regulatory landscape or requiring help with startup funding can benefit from using the Business Navigator Contact Form to get personalized assistance.

Who is not eligible

There are specific types of companies that may not be eligible for this grant.

  • Companies engaged in illegal activities
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Individual entrepreneurs without a registered business
  • Companies with outstanding tax issues
  • Companies without a clear business plan

Eligible expenses

The Business Navigators program offers support to individuals looking to start specific types of businesses by providing guidance on regulations and necessary permits. These activities are designed to simplify the process of starting a business in Nova Scotia by addressing all essential compliance requirements.

  • Starting a brewery with a focus on adherence to relevant regulations and permits.
  • Initiating a construction business by ensuring compliance with required licences and permits.
  • Establishing a convenience store, covering all necessary registrations and operational guidelines.
  • Launching a farm with guidance on regulations and necessary permits.
  • Setting up a food truck by following health and safety regulations and permits.
  • Beginning a garage with the required operational licences and inspections.
  • Creating a meat plant with focus on processing regulations and required permits.
  • Opening a restaurant (food establishment) by understanding food safety regulations and necessary operating licences.
  • Setting up an accommodation or campground with guidance on compliance requirements.
  • Organizing an event by adhering to necessary regulations and obtaining permits.

Eligible geographic areas

This program is supported for businesses operating within the province in order to comply with provincial regulations effectively. Its primary focus is aiding companies to navigate the regulatory environment specific to Nova Scotia.

  • Businesses located in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Selection criteria

There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. Applicants will be assessed based on the following criteria:

  • Business viability and sustainability
  • Alignment with regulatory requirements
  • Economic impact and growth potential
  • Feasibility of the business plan
  • Entrepreneurial experience and skills

How to apply

1

Access Business Navigator Contact Form

  • Visit the Nova Scotia government website or search for the Business Navigator Contact Form online.
  • Open the contact form to start your query process.
2

Complete the Contact Form

  • Fill out all required fields in the contact form, including your personal and business information.
  • Specify the type of assistance or information you need regarding starting your business.
  • Provide any additional details that might help the Business Navigator understand your requirements better.
3

Submit the Contact Form

  • Review all the details entered in the form for accuracy.
  • Submit the completed form through the provided submission method, usually by clicking the "Submit" button on the webpage.
4

Await Contact

Wait for a Business Navigator to contact you for further discussion or clarification based on your details and requirements.

Additional information

There are various types of companies eligible for this grant in Canada. The grant supports businesses in industries such as restaurants, construction, convenience stores, farms, food trucks, garages, meat plants, restaurants, accommodations, campgrounds, and events.

  • Restaurants
  • Construction businesses
  • Convenience stores
  • Farms
  • Food trucks
  • Garages
  • Meat plants or meat processing plants
  • Accommodations or campgrounds
  • Events

There are specific types of companies that may not be eligible for this grant.

  • Companies engaged in illegal activities
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Individual entrepreneurs without a registered business
  • Companies with outstanding tax issues
  • Companies without a clear business plan

Eligible expenses for this grant may include but are not limited to:

  • Startup costs for the specific type of business
  • Licenses and permits required to operate the business
  • Inspection requirements
  • Resources for start-up funding

There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. Applicants will be assessed based on the following criteria:

  • Business viability and sustainability
  • Alignment with regulatory requirements
  • Economic impact and growth potential
  • Feasibility of the business plan
  • Entrepreneurial experience and skills
Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Business Navigators - NS Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Business Navigators - NS. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the Business Navigators - NS?

Get timely information on rules and regulations specific to your business and help understanding how to comply with provincial regulations.

Who is eligible for the Business Navigators - NS program?

To be eligible for the Business Navigators - NS program, you must: The business must be a new venture in Nova Scotia. The business owner must require assistance with understanding and complying with provincial regulations and requirements.

What expenses are eligible under Business Navigators - NS?

Business Navigators - NS aims to assist individuals in understanding the process of starting a business in Nova Scotia by providing guidance on regulatory and operational requirements. This includes helping with specific types of businesses and offering necessary resources. Guidance on starting a business, including understanding necessary regulations, licences, permits, and inspections. Providing overview guides on starting specific businesses such as restaurants, breweries, and convenience stores. Offering resources and information on financing, taxes, staffing, and start-up funding opportunities. Facilitating contact through Business Navigator Contact Form for personalized inquiries and support.

Who can I contact for more information about the Business Navigators - NS?

You can contact Government of Nova Scotia.

Where is the Business Navigators - NS available?

The Business Navigators - NS program is available the province of Nova Scotia.

Is the Business Navigators - NS a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Business Navigators - NS is a Expert Advice

Who are the financial supporters of the Business Navigators - NS?

Business Navigators - NS is funded by Government of Nova Scotia, Office of Regulatory Affairs and Service Effectiveness