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CBDC First-time Entrepreneur Loan
Atlantic Canada start-up loan
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 150,000
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Nova Scotia, Canada
Overview
Loans of up to $150,000 for first-time entrepreneurs in rural Atlantic Canada to start or buy a business.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Optimize production processes
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Nova Scotia
Legal structures
- Sole proprietorship
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Rural or Northern Residents
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
This grant aims to support first-time entrepreneurs in launching or acquiring businesses in rural areas of Atlantic Canada. Eligible activities for the loan encompass a wide range of business start-up and operational needs.
- Business start-up initiatives.
- Purchasing an existing business.
- Covering start-up costs and fixed assets.
- Securing working capital.
- Investing in buildings and land.
- Equipping business operations with necessary machinery.
- Purchasing vehicles solely for business operations.
- Acquiring a franchise.
- Making leasehold improvements.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
The CBDC First-Time Entrepreneur Loan is available to individuals who meet certain eligibility requirements aimed at fostering new entrepreneurship in rural Atlantic Canada. Applicants must be new, first-time entrepreneurs living in rural areas of Atlantic Canada, and they can be sole proprietors, limited companies, or partnerships where majority control is with the new entrepreneur. The financial assistance can be applied towards starting a new business or purchasing an existing one, and it covers a wide range of business-related expenses.Eligible expenses
The CBDC First-Time Entrepreneur Loan can be utilized for a variety of business-related activities aimed at helping first-time entrepreneurs in Atlantic Canada's rural areas build successful operations. Eligible projects include initiating new businesses or acquiring existing ones, along with funding essential business needs.
- Start-up costs for new business ventures.
- Purchase of existing businesses.
- Acquisition of fixed assets necessary for business operations.
- Provision of working capital to aid business cash flow.
- Purchase of buildings and land for business use.
- Investments in business-related furniture and fixtures.
- Procurement of machinery or other essential business equipment.
- Purchase of business vehicles used strictly for operations.
- Franchise purchases within the business strategy.
- Leasehold improvements to enhance business premises.
Eligible geographic areas
This grant is available to first-time entrepreneurs specifically in rural communities of Atlantic Canada. These areas are targeted to support new business ventures in less urbanized regions and to bolster economic development.
- Rural areas in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Rural communities in Prince Edward Island
- Rural regions in Nova Scotia
- Rural sectors in New Brunswick
Additional information
Here is additional relevant information for the CBDC First-Time Entrepreneur Loan:
- CBDCs may offer business counseling and training services to help entrepreneurs become self-sufficient and successful business persons.
- The program is designed to assist both seasonal and year-round businesses.
- Applicants may need to contact their specific regional CBDC to understand any regional variations in the programs and services offered.
- Financial assistance exceeding $150,000 may be possible under certain circumstances.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the CBDC First-time Entrepreneur Loan Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the CBDC First-time Entrepreneur Loan. 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 CBDC First-time Entrepreneur Loan?
Loans of up to $150,000 for first-time entrepreneurs in rural Atlantic Canada to start or buy a business.
How much funding can be received?
CBDC First-time Entrepreneur Loan Funds up to $150,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the CBDC First-time Entrepreneur Loan program?
To be eligible for the CBDC First-time Entrepreneur Loan program, you must:
The applicant must be a new, first-time entrepreneur living in a rural area of Atlantic Canada.
The business can be a start-up or the purchase of an existing business.
The applicant can be a sole proprietor, limited company, or partnership with majority control residing with the new entrepreneur.
What expenses are eligible under CBDC First-time Entrepreneur Loan?
This grant aims to support first-time entrepreneurs in launching or acquiring businesses in rural areas of Atlantic Canada. Eligible activities for the loan encompass a wide range of business start-up and operational needs. Business start-up initiatives.
Purchasing an existing business.
Covering start-up costs and fixed assets.
Securing working capital.
Investing in buildings and land.
Equipping business operations with necessary machinery.
Purchasing vehicles solely for business operations.
Acquiring a franchise.
Making leasehold improvements.
Who can I contact for more information about the CBDC First-time Entrepreneur Loan?
You can contact Community Business Development Corporations (CBDC) or by phone at 1-888-303-2232.
Where is the CBDC First-time Entrepreneur Loan available?
The CBDC First-time Entrepreneur Loan program is available the province of Nova Scotia.
Is the CBDC First-time Entrepreneur Loan a grant, loan, or tax credit?
CBDC First-time Entrepreneur Loan is a Loans and Capital investments