Resources

Resources

Links for Investors, Regional Businesses and Opportunity Holders

Your First Steps 

  • Concierge Service – Government of Canada guide for Canadian enterprises to find and access programs and services that support business innovation.
  • Can-Export – a Global Affairs Canada program that will provide $50 million to help Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises take advantage of global export opportunities.
  • Alberta.ca - Promoting Trade and Development – Alberta’s investment attraction activities focus on engaging international companies on opportunities that will create employment for Albertans, while bringing new technologies, products, services and capital to the province. 
  • AlbertaCanada.com – Exporting your products and services – Government of Alberta site for assessing export readiness, preparing to export and building on export success.  The site contains links to several useful resources for exporters.
  • BizPal Alberta - Looking to start or grow your business? BizPaL is your source for Online Business Permit and License information.
  • Canada Border Services Agency – Primary source of information on ports of entry and importing and exporting of commercial goods.
  • Canada Business Network – How to Export - Explore new markets for your products or services.  Topics include: Starting to Export, Export Financing, Export Market Research, Export Marketing Sales and Logistics, and Exporting Regulations
  • Canada Companies Capabilities - Find companies that can supply your organization with the goods, services and technology it needs.
  • Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters - Access reports and publications, global business services, an industry resource guide, and information on upcoming events in the manufacturing sector.
  • Canadian Automated Export Declaration - The Canadian Automated Export Declaration (CAED) program is a fast, inexpensive and easy way of reporting your exported goods.
  • Citizenship and Immigration Canada - Express Entry Information for Employers - Express Entry is a system to assist immigrants with skilled work experience in their application to immigrate and work in Canada.
  • Connectica - Alberta's web portal connecting innovators to funding, programs, services and more.
  • Department of Immigration Start-up Visa Program - Canada's Start-up Visa Program targets immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build innovative businesses in Canada that can create jobs for Canadians and compete on a global scale.
  • Export Development Canada (EDC) - Export Development Canada provides Canadian exporters with financing, insurance and bonding services, as well as foreign market expertise.
  • Trade & Investment Attraction – Government of Alberta ministry website with access to Alberta government programs and resources for importers and exporters, trade agreement, the location of Alberta’s international offices, and investment and business attraction policies and services.
  • Trade Commissioner Service Canada – The Trade Commissioner Service provides assistance for exporting and international expansion of your business, connecting with qualified international contacts for partnering, commercialization or sourcing of technology, and education.
  • Global Affairs Canada – An accurate and up-to-date resource for information and research into foreign policy, trade, global development activities, and country and region relationships and agreements.
  • Trade Data Online (TDO) - Trade Data provides the ability to generate customize reports on Canada and U.S. trade in goods with over 200 countries. Generate reports by product or industry

Government Links

Municipal Government Offices

Government of Alberta

 Government of Canada

Business Education & Other Resources

  • (The) Business Link – Business Link provides training and access to mentoring and expert advice on business topics ranging from business planning and market research to contracts and financial monitoring.
  • Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) – The CCC provides resources and support to exporters seeking to contract with foreign governments.
  • Dun and Bradstreet Business Information Services – The site is a subscription-based service which provides businesses and investors with actionable industry intelligence in the form of reports risk management solutions, operation and supply solutions, marketing solutions and sales solutions.
  • (The) Go Forth Institute For Entrepreneurial Skills Development – The GoForth Institute offers an extensive selection of small business training programs which help entrepreneurs run their businesses.
  • The World Bank – In addition to featuring the programs, policies and activities of the World Bank, this site is a topical resource for trending global financial news and information which may affect world financial markets.

Entrepreneurship

  • Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures - Technology Futures is part of Alberta's research and innovation system and is helping build healthy, sustainable businesses in the province. Through a suite of programs and services directed towards entrepreneurs, companies, researchers and investors, Tech Futures is preparing Alberta for a next generation economy.
  • Alberta Women Entrepreneurs - Alberta Women Entrepreneurs provides business support to women by women.
  • BDC Entrepreneur's First - Business Development Bank of Canada's entrepreneurship opportunities. 
  • Community Futures Alberta Southwest (CFABSW) - CFABSW provides affordable, flexible loans, mentorship, and advice to business start-ups and businesses seeking to expand.
  • Community Futures Crowsnest Pass - (CFCNP) - CFCNP provides affordable, flexible loans, mentorship, and advice to business start-ups and businesses seeking to expand.
  • Entrepreneur's Organization (EO) – EO is a membership supported association which training and mentoring to its members and access to a global network of entrepreneurs in different industry sectors.
  • Futurpreneur – An organization which assists young entrepreneurs to get their ideas off the ground, Youth Business offers programs and services that allow them to achieve economic independence, develop self-confidence, and fulfill their goals of self-employment.
  • Women's Enterprise Centre – The Enterprise Centre provides women with information on how to start, finance and grow their business.  The organization provides skills training, business loans, mentoring and business advise.
  • (The) Youth Entrepreneur's Network - An online community that supports the needs of young entrepreneurs from around the world as they attempt to build and thrive in their own businesses
  • Youth Café - Government of Canada website for youth seeking employment opportunities.

Financing

  • Agriculture Financial Services - Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) provides farmers, agribusinesses and other small businesses loans, crop insurance and farm income disaster assistance.

  • Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) – BDC provides financing, venture capital, growth and transition capital, and consulting services to businesses, entrepreneurs and innovators.

  • Community Futures Alberta Southwest (CFABSW) - CFABSW provides affordable, flexible loans, mentorship, and advice to business start-ups and businesses seeking to expand.

  • Community Futures Crowsnest Pass - (CFCNP) - CFCNP provides affordable, flexible loans, mentorship, and advice to business start-ups and businesses seeking to expand.

  • Farm Credit Canada (FCC) – FCC provides financing for primary producers and companies in the agri-food and agri-business sector.

Employment

Community and Region

Southwest Alberta Community Profiles

Regional Business & Economic Development Organizations