Business Resources

Business Resources

The Elgin/St.Thomas Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) – provides no cost tools, resources, funding and connections to help businesses in our community survive and thrive.

Elgin Business Resource Centre (A Community Futures Development Corporation) – an excellent source for business resources, Business Programs and Services.

Strategis – Canada’s Business and Consumer Web site, contains a wealth of information about business, finance, export, starting a business, using technology and much more.

Business Development Bank – The Business Development Bank of Canada is a financial institution wholly owned by the government of Canada. BDC plays a leadership role in delivering financial and consulting services to Canadian small business, with a particular focus on technology and exporting.

SmallbizXpress – the gateway with all the information you need to start, run or expand a small business in Ontario.

The Canada Business Service Centres (CBSCs) – are your gateway to government information for business. The CBSCs provide a wide range of information on government services, programs and regulations and are there to answer your questions about starting a new business or improving an existing one.

Statistics Canada – Demographic patterns, population growth, trends, research, spending patterns. A great resource for market research and product development.

Small Business Quarterly – Publishes by Industry Canada, this newsletter provides a snapshot of the recent performance of Canada’s small business sector and provides an overview of key small business statistics, trends and recent developments.

Enterweb – The Knowledge Portal for Small Business – Sources of information on small business, finance, international trade, entrepreneurship, enterprise development and the economy. (American)

Canadian Federation of Independent Business

Business Owner’s Idea Café – This is an American web site, but has applicable tools and ideas

Profit – The Magazine for Canadian Entrepreneurs

Canadian Business Magazine

Canada Business Service Centre – Interactive Business Planner – The IBP is the first business planning software product designed specifically to operate on the World Wide Web. The IBP uses the capabilities of the Internet to assist entrepreneurs prepare a 3 year business plan for their new or existing business.

Export Development Canada – EDC provides Canadian exporters with financing, insurance and bonding services as well as foreign market expertise

Canada Customs and Revenue Agency

Government of Canada web site for Export Information

GD Sourcing Information and Retrieval – Research and statistics regarding various Canadian industries and sectors.

BusinessGateway.ca – provides a single access point to all the government services and information needed to start, run and grow a business.

Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre – Providing accurate and timely information on programs, services and regulations to Ontario businesses in collaboration with our federal, provincial and non-governmental partners.

For Women Entrepreneurs

The Canadian Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs – is the national organization in Canada whose primary concern is the education, employment and economic status of employed women.

For Young Entrepreneurs

Summer Company – Summer Company, an exciting opportunity for enterprising students, 15 to 29 years old, to start and run their own summer businesses.
As a Summer Company entrepreneur, you’ll receive hands-on business coaching and mentoring from local community business leaders who will help make your Summer Company a success. Who knows, it could be the start of something big.
If your application is accepted, you will be eligible to receive up to $1,500 to put toward start-up costs and up to $1,500 upon successful completion of the program.

Money Information for Young People from Canadian Bankers’ Association

Royal Bank’s Site for Young Entrepreneurs

The Ministry of Enterprise, Opportunity and Innovation

Canadian Youth Business Foundation – The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) is a national non-profit organization that encourages and supports young Canadians, 18 to 34 years of age, who would not otherwise have the opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship and contribute to their community by establishing successful businesses.

Centre for Entrepreneurship, Education and Development

Young Entrepreneurs Association