Aboriginal Business Canada (Industry Canada)

Aboriginal Business Canada is dedicated to working with Aboriginal entrepreneurs to promote the development, competitiveness and success of Aboriginal business in Canadian and world markets. Services include financing, business planning and advisory services. Youth are one of Aboriginal Business Canada's four strategic priorities for growth.

A non-profit organization that exists online for the purpose of providing support to young entrepreneurs, whether they have their own business, want to start one, or just want to learn more about entrepreneurship.

The Alberta 4-H offers a program to assist young people who are aspiring to start their own businesses.

• Business Cent$: For 4-H members interested in starting a small business. You will learn what kind of project will "work" in your area as well as how to plan, finance, and market it.

Contact your nearest Canada Alberta Service Centre or Career Development Centre.

(In Calgary the Career Development Centre is located at 855 - 8th Ave. SW, phone 297-7775. For a list of CASC centres check a telephone directory or the Internet: http://www.alis.gov.ab.ca/employment/se/alberta.asp).
The Self-Employment Program provides assistance to unemployed Alberta residents who have viable self-employment options. Assistance includes instruction in business plan development, one-to-one counselling and guidance and follow-up.

A collection of 6 booklets designed to help you with various aspects of planning, setting up and running a small business. They can be ordered in print format, read on the Web or printed off in PDF format.

This not for profit organization for home and micro-businesses provides members with an income security package, buyer's discount program, monthly networking forums with speaker series and a quarterly newsletter.

AWE services include: introducing women to realities of starting and operating a business and guidance with business plan development and market research; information sessions and networking opportunities; business coaching and support; loan fund program.

The Business Development Bank of Canada offers a wide range of business counselling, mentoring and training services. Along with regular seminars on over 40 topics and do-it yourself kits and guides, they also offer specific programs, such as:

CASE Program:   provides counselling to start-up and growth-oriented companies, including performing diagnostic reviews, preparing business plans, and conducting marketing or feasibility studies.

Micro-Business Program:   supports the early growth needs of the smallest businesses by combining comprehensive training and counselling with financing.

Step In® and Step Up®. Step In® is a training and mentoring program designed specifically for women who want to start–or have recently launched–a small business. Both programs combine group workshops, round table discussions and individual mentoring.

Calgary Alternative Support Services
Supported Entrepreneurship Program

Supported Entrepreneurship is the process of helping persons with disabilities to develop and operate a small business.

Offers courses for the entrepreneur. Check their Continuing Education publications for specific courses, times, locations, and fees.

A partnership of Alberta Economic Development, the Calgary Economic Development Authority, and Industry Canada, with the cooperation and participation of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce and Western Economic Diversification. It provides start-up, small and medium-sized businesses with information they need to succeed and grow, including: information to help make sound business decisions, and information on government and private-sector programs, services, and initiatives.

Meyers Norris Penny is one of the Self Employment Program service providers in Calgary, Alberta. Sponsored by Alberta Human Resource and Employment

CCIS has a formal program (Business Development Program) and also distributes information for immigrants and refugees interested in starting their own business. Contact CCIS for the start date of the next program.

A joint venture of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce and The City of Calgary, C.E.D.A.'s mandate is to promote the growth and diversification of the Calgary economy. Through its involvement with targeted industry groups, the Authority identifies collaborative initiatives to support growth of small and medium-sized enterprises in Calgary. In conjunction with the Calgary Business Information Centre, C.E.D.A. provides information to support the expansion and start-up of local businesses.

The public library offers an extensive collection of business directories, business and trade magazines, annual reports, government publications, and patent information.

Designed to provide you with techniques for developing your idea, starting a new venture and improving your existing small business.

A cooperative effort among federal, provincial and local governments. CBSCs reduce the complexity of dealing with various levels of government by providing a single point of contact to a wide range of information on government services, programs and regulations. These include: confidential advisory services, referrals to government, association and private sector specialists, market and regulatory information, reference materials, seminars, and information on financing and government programs for business.

The IBP uses the capabilities of the Internet to help entrepreneurs prepare a 3-year business plan for their new or existing business. With the IBP, you will: be guided through each section of your business plan using a question and answer format; learn definitions and tips, and view sample business plans to help you write your own plan; have financial projections prepared for you, based upon information you provide.

Mentoring Program: aims at assisting young entrepreneurs in the start-up phase through to the first three years of business operation. Mentors can provide a supportive relationship for young entrepreneurs.

Youthbusiness.com is the Internet aspect of the program. It's focus is on a dozen business-related topics, as well as offering a Programs & Resources database, Business Events listings and an Ask our Experts sections.

A community development program designed to encourage economic activity and entrepreneurship in rural Canada. The program offers strategic planning, counselling and loans up to $75,000 for small and medium-sized businesses. Assistance is provided in everything from market research to creating a business plan to setting up an accounting system.

Provides several unique resources for youth in business, including:

• directory of over 2,500 Canadian small business support organizations
• information on starting a home-based business
• business-to-business discussion forums

Funds entrepreneur training programs for Employment Insurance recipients who want to start their own business. The program is delivered at the local level through a variety of agencies and companies. Contact your nearest Human Resources Development Canada office of program information in your area.

Self Employment
A 6 month full-time program offering unemployed Albertans with a viable business idea, the knowledge and skills necessary to start their own business.

ABCs of Small Business
A part-time evening course consisting of three 4-week sessions: offering low-income individuals the knowledge and skills necessary to become self-employed.

Micro Loans
Character based loans for persons having difficulty accessing conventional financing (bank loans).

Cool Biz
This eight session, 2-hour workshop is designed for youth between the ages of 14 - 18 years of age who are interested in self-employment. Students learn through interactive programming and business planning.

Offers an eight-week training program in business basics to youth aged 18 to 30, which is then followed by a ten week internships with an owner-operated micro business. Phone MKS Learning to inquire whether and when the program is being offered and to find out how to apply.

Development programs aimed at aboriginal youth, the youth loan initiative fund and the youth business fund. it also administers the aboriginal disabled economic development fund.

The Venture Development Unit of the of the Department of Management offers legal and business clinics for small business owners and entrepreneurs.

Offers a number of seminars and courses for those interested in starting or running a small business. Check the U. of C. continuing education calendars for courses, times, locations, and fees.

The place to start on the Internet if you are thinking of starting up a business in Alberta. The Business Information section of the Web site contains resources to take you from points A to Z – everything from deciding whether self-employment is for you to tips to help you through the day-to-day operations of running your own business.

Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program:  The Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program is designed to help rural western Canadians with disabilities gain easier access to business training and development; mentoring and one-on-one counselling services; and, financial assistance in their pursuit of self-employment and entrepreneurship. Eligible applicants must be living in a rural community and have a disability that impairs their ability to perform at least one of the basic activities of self-employment or entrepreneurship. Business loans of up to $75,000 are available. Call the Community Futures Development Corporations office nearest you for more information about available programs and services, or call Western Economic Diversification at 1-888-338-WEST (9378)