Resources Partners Agencies
The links on this page are divided up into four categories:
Business Support and Advice
Financing and Access to Capital
Investment Opportunities
Social Entrepreneurship
Business Support and Advice
Kimberley and District Chamber of Commerce
The voice of business, the Kimberley Chamber furthers the interests of local businesses by providing leadership in the promotion, development, and growth of business in Kimberley.
http://www.kimberleychamber.com/
Basin Business Advisors
BBA support small- and medium-sized businesses in the Basin by providing free, one-to-one, confidential business counselling and assessment services, and by arranging and cost-sharing specialized consulting services.
http://www.cfek.ca/service/basin-business-advisors-program/
Community Futures East Kootenay
CFEK’s helps create sustainable communities by promoting local, community-based economic development through a suite of services, including commercial lending and skills training.
http://www.cfek.ca/
BC Venture Acceleration Program
This program encourages a disciplined approach to growing a technology company. The Venture Acceleration Program will help you define a business model for sustained growth and profitability.
http://www.bcacceleration.ca/
BC Provincial Nominee Program – Immigrant entrepreneurs welcome!
The program selects entrepreneurs ready to invest in our economy and create jobs, as well as helps employers attract and retain skilled foreign workers who have the skills and experience to contribute to B.C.’s economy.
http://www.welcomebc.ca/Immigrate/About-the-BC-PNP.aspx
BC Business Network
The B.C. Business Network is a directory of BC suppliers and exporters interested in new business opportunities that can help you make international connections.
http://www.britishcolumbia.ca/export/our-services/b-c-business-network.aspx
Financing and Access to Capital
Community Futures East Kootenay
Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF)
CYBF is a national charity providing pre-launch coaching, business resources, start-up financing and mentoring to help you start your own successful business. If you are between the age of 18-39 and have a business idea or a looking to take over an existing business…they can help!
http://www.cybf.ca/
Business Development Bank of Canada
Provides a range of services and resources to foster the growth of small business, including financing and business consulting.
http://www.bdc.ca/EN/business-centres/british_columbia/cranbrook/Pages/d...
Centre for Small Business Financing
Searchable database for grant and loan financing opportunities.
http://www.grants-loans.org/bc-grants.php
The Funding Portal
The Funding Portal is an online gateway to access to government funding and business financing.
http://www.thefundingportal.com/Partners#.Ut6xl9Ln9ph
Canada Small Business Financing Program
Under the program, the Government of Canada makes it easier for small businesses to get loans from financial institutions by sharing the risk with lenders.
http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/csbfp-pfpec.nsf/eng/h_la02855.html
Export Development Canada
Export Development Canada is Canada’s export credit agency, offering financial and risk management solutions to help Canadian businesses expand into the U.S. and other international markets.
http://www.edc.ca/EN/Pages/default.aspx
Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust
Funding source that seeks to grow and diversify the economy of the Southern Interior of British Columbia through investments in 10 key sectors.
http://www.sidit-bc.ca/
Western Innovation Initiative (WINN)
Administered by Western Economic Diversification Canada, WINN offers repayable contributions for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with operations in Western Canada to move their new and innovative technologies from the later stages of research and development to the marketplace.
http://www.wd.gc.ca/eng/14857.asp
Investment Opportunities
InvestKootenay
http://www.investkootenay.com/invest-in/kimberley-bc/
Trade and Invest BC
http://www.britishcolumbia.ca/
Opportunities BC
https://tools.britishcolumbia.ca/Invest/Pages/Profile.aspx?page=0&pCommu...
Social Entrepreneurship
Kimberley is a pioneer in social entrepreneurship – using business to benefit social objectives. Non-profits, cooperatives, and other social entrepreneurship vehicles are a fast growing area of business opportunities and offer structural flexibility in the ownership and financing of community priorities. The following resources may be useful if you want to run a business differently.
Enterprising Non-Profits – Social Enterprise Canada
National organization providing planning, finance, and learning tools to assist social entrepreneurs.
http://www.socialenterprisecanada.ca/
The Vantage Point
Provides resources, tools, and professional development opportunities for developing and engaging the volunteer sector.
http://www.thevantagepoint.ca/
Upper Columbia Co-op Council
Cooperative Corporations are extremely versatile business vehicles. While they have slightly broader objectives than traditional corporations, they employ locals and can be used by members to provide collective benefits or services.
http://uccc.coop/
Volunteer Kootenays
Volunteer Kootenays links organizations in the region to potential volunteers.
http://www.volunteerkootenays.ca/