Province Supports Cape Breton Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs in Cape Breton will soon have a new place, and supports, to help them get ventures off the ground.

New and growing software and Internet-based businesses will benefit from a facility in Sydney to help them develop and launch products, build their companies and create jobs.

"Entrepreneurs and innovators ignite great ideas and turn them into reality, and this centre will help new businesses succeed and grow in Cape Breton," said Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Percy Paris. "We want companies and people to be innovative and build ideas around the huge opportunities coming to Nova Scotia, to attract and train the best minds, and create good jobs for the future. Through jobsHere, we're giving Nova Scotians more support, and encouraging and attracting innovation."

The centre will be developed and managed by Venture Solutions Inc., and housed in an historic Sydney building. The province has provided $38,400 to help retrofit the space that will be leased to clients for offices and labs.

"Our Sydport centre has seen over 40 companies use our support and start-up services in the last three-and-a-half years, leading to over 200 new jobs in the area," said Venture Solutions Inc. partner and senior project manager John Aylward. "We know this kind of support and environment works, and we're excited to launch a second centre in Sydney and help more Cape Breton entrepreneurs develop and grow their businesses."

Venture Solutions Inc. has a successful centre already in operation in Edwardsville, Cape Breton Regional Municipality, where local companies like Billdidit, Health Outcomes Worldwide, Stomp Labs, Stackabuoy and J and K Scientific have grown.

Stomp Labs designs and manufactures innovative effects pedals, pedalboards and accessories for guitars. The province has also supported Stomp Labs through its Business Development Program, with $6,000 toward a branding and marketing strategy that will help the company access new markets and create jobs.

"Locating at Venture Solutions has given us access to shared office resources, but, more importantly, the spirit of co-operation allows us to walk down the hall and tap into the finance, marketing, intellectual property and manufacturing expertise that resides with other companies within the building," said Stomp Labs CEO Jeff Slipp. "The province's support of technology startups and small businesses like Stomp Labs is vital as it accelerates the development of the company and that greatly increases our probability of success."

The province's Business Development Program helps small businesses get started and existing businesses expand. Stomp Labs also received a Productivity and Innovation Voucher last year to work with Dalhousie University to develop a new guitar accessory.

To learn more about provincial programs and services for small businesses, visit http://business.novascotia.ca.