Funding for your small business
To help kick-start or expand businesses across Nova Scotia, up to $3000 in funding is available to NSCC students and recent alumni.
If you have a savvy business idea, and the desire to launch or grow a company, apply for the Scotiabank Entrepreneur-in-the-Making program.
The Entrepreneur-in-the-Making (EITM) program is available at all 14 NSCC campuses, thanks to the generous support of Scotiabank.
Eligibility
Application requirements:
- Be a current NSCC student. Must be enrolled in any part-time (40% or more course load) or full-time program at NSCC
- Student applicants must be in good academic standing
- Alumni applicants must have graduated from NSCC in the past 5 years (2020 - present)
- Have viable business goals and objectives
- Be an entrepreneur looking to start or expand your business
- Clearly describe entrepreneurial aspirations through the program's application
- NSCC and Scotiabank employees are not eligible for this grant
*All applications are welcome. Preference will be given to applicants from equity-deserving groups with priority for applicants from both the Mi’kmaq and African Nova Scotians communities. In Canada's Employment Equity Act, currently the four designated groups are defined as women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities; whereas members of visible minorities means persons, other than Indigenous peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour. As members of equity-deserving groups, NSCC will also give preference to applications from qualified candidates of a minority sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression.
Program details
Successful applicants will receive:
- One-time funding, up to a maximum of $3,000
- Three mandatory business advisory sessions with NSCC Entrepreneurship
- Optional financial planning through Scotiabank**
- Mentorship and networking opportunities**
- Access to programming that includes webinars and workshops**
$42,000 in funding is available across all campuses each year from Scotiabank, plus, an additional $10,000 in grant opportunities this year from Truro private donors.
Funding overview
| Scotiabank | Truro private donors |
|---|---|
| Offers $42,000 in funding through EITM for NSCC students and recent alumni, with one recipient at all 14 campuses. | Offers $10,000 in funding for at least three additional EITM recipients connected to Truro Campus. |
*Thanks to the generous program development funding by Scotiabank, all EITM grant recipients benefit from these additional wraparound learning opportunities.
Judging criteria
Applications will be judged based on:
- Uniqueness of the product or service being offered
- Clarity of application
- Applicant’s knowledge of the proposed customer base/industry
- Experience and ability of applicant in relation to the product or service
- Awareness of the logistics (ex: planning, production and distribution)
- Demonstrated understanding of the resources required for project success
Applications now closed
Applications for the Entrepreneur-in-the-Making program closed on April 7, 2025.