Technology & Innovation

Unama’ki – Cape Breton is home to many companies and organizations providing world-leading technology and innovation within Clean Technology, Information Technology, Marine and Ocean Technology, Bio Technology, and more.

The Island also benefits from an emerging innovation and entrepreneur start-up and accelerator support system that is designed to develop scalable ideas into viable business ventures.

Industry Facts

  • As of December 2021, 69 innovation-based start-up companies are in operation in Cape Breton. This is a 331% increase since 2012 .
  • Almost 58% of innovation-based companies on the Island are in Information Technology.
  • Industrial Biotechnology and Agricultural Sector comprises 16% of companies.
  • Life Science comprises 10% of companies, with Clean Technology companies at 9%.
  • Advanced Manufacturing and Marine and Ocean Technology followed with 4% and 3% respectively.
  • The average age of an innovation company in organizations is 5.1 years.

Competitive Advantages

  • At campuses in both Sydney and in the Town of Port Hawkesbury, post-secondary education providers Cape Breton University and Nova Scotia Community College provide a large range of programs in science, technology and innovation particularly around the marine, engineering, and health sectors.
  • The Sydney Makerspace is a 6,000 square foot space for prototyping and creating. The facility provides the space, equipment and expert network to support the development of innovative new products. Often referred to as a creator’s dream the Sydney Makerspace includes general work areas, metal working, woodworking, an electronics/robotics lab, a 3D CAD and printing lab and more.
  • The Strait Area of Unama’ki – Cape Breton boasts a local team that participated in the renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program (REAP). The initiative engages with communities to boost innovation-driven entrepreneurial ecosystems to help transform economies.
  • The Ocean Innovation Centre on the Town of Port Hawkesbury waterfront was created as part of the 2018 Creative Island Initiative and the work of the 2021 local Strait-Cape Breton MIT REAP Team as a catalyst for the attraction and creation of Innovation-Driven Enterprises (IDEs) in the region. The facility, an old creamery, has been converted into office space for innovation-driven entrepreneurs as well as research and teaching space for the NSCC Nautical Institute. There are plans to develop the back section of the building into a light industrial workshop unit.
  • The CBU Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre (IEC) is an inspiring community space where the diverse students of CBU’s student body meet to brainstorm, learn, collaborate and work together. The IEC hosts creative programming and events providing unique learning opportunities, encouraging spontaneous discussions among CBU students, faculty, and industry innovators and mentors.
  • The IEC is also host to the Island Sandbox, which provides space for various student groups from Cape Breton University and NSCC Marconi Campus to experiment with new entrepreneurial ideas and access business mentors and other support
  • The CBU Centre for Discovery and Innovation is a planned facility that will house state-of-the-art research and instructional facilities.
  • The Verschuren Centre is an independent clean technology development and deployment facility offering client-tailored services to support companies in developing sustainable solutions that meet industry needs. The Verschuren Centre provides expertise and technology platforms in the areas of bio-manufacturing, energy and materials as well as carbon transformation.
  • The AscendBio program enables companies in the industrial biotech and agri-tech sector to scale up their technologies and business operations. This is possible thanks to the Verschuren Centre’s scientific and technical expertise and infrastructure, along with Invest Nova Scotia’s sector expertise, business support and international networks. The program helps companies in three key ways: capital efficiency – making their money go further; velocity – helping them grow faster; Supportive Ecosystem – providing access to a community and supports and helps them meet their goals.

Investment Opportunities

  • Clean Technology: Nova Scotia, and Unama’ki – Cape Breton in particular, is set to become a major production hub for green hydrogen and ammonia. This is an emerging industry, and innovation of technology is needed to bring costs of production down. Offshore wind and solar energy are also emerging industries on the Island.
  • Marine and Ocean Technology: With the announcement of an auction round for five gigawatts of offshore wind in the next couple of years, Nova Scotia is embarking on an offshore wind journey. Parts of Unama’ki – Cape Breton lend themselves well to the deployment of floating wind technologies – a new offshore wind technology.
  • Industrial Biotech and AgTech: Unima’ki – Cape Breton is already home to a commercial bioreactor – one of only three in Cananda and is expanding that capacity by more than 10 times. The expansion will enable the Verschuren Centre in becoming a national bio-processing centre.

Key Resources

Downloadable Resources

Click the document below for a downloadable pdf.

Web Resources

EntreprenuerCB is a large tools and resource database for aspiring and current entrepreneurs. It has dedicated sections on support and advice services for Innovation & Technology.

Mitacs supports employers to take on recent graduates to work on innovation-driven projects by contributing to salary costs.

CEED – Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development offers business advisory, networking and mentorship at CEED’s Cape Breton office.

The Cape Breton Capital Group has brought together a group of twenty-six, experienced Cape Breton entrepreneurs and investors to seek out investment opportunities. The focus is on equity investments in businesses with growth potential through expansion or innovation. The group of investors provides investment and mentorship opportunities to prospective companies.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) works with Canadians in all areas of the economy and in all parts of the country to improve conditions for investment, enhance Canada’s innovation performance, increase Canada’s share of global trade and build a fair, efficient and competitive marketplace.

Invest Nova Scotia’s Innovation Rebate Program (IRP) provides financial incentives for projects that assist Nova Scotia companies as they scale to increase their competitiveness. The IRP works as a rebate against a company’s direct costs.

Nova Scotia’s Innovate to Opportunity Hiring Incentive helps well-educated graduates start their careers in Nova Scotia while helping businesses become more innovative and export-oriented. The program provides an incentive to hire recent masters and PhD grads for jobs that are focused on research and innovation that will help businesses begin, prepare for, or expand exports.

TecSocial is a monthly meet-up for those with an interest in technology and entrepreneurship. A steady force in the innovation community for more than 19 years, it brings the community together to celebrate success and encourage new start-ups. To join the email list for upcoming meetings, visit: www.eepurl.com/hR-WjX

The Nova Scotia Innovation Hub works to create and promote best-in-class, investment-ready conditions for a low-carbon Bioeconomy.

Nova Scotia’s Health Innovation Hub works to transform healthcare through strategic partnerships with patients and families, clinical champions, industry, health care foundations, governments, and academic partners.

For More Information

Need more information, assistance, or support?  The Cape Breton Partnership works on behalf of all Municipalities and First Nations in Cape Breton – Unama’ki and can connect you to the tools or information you need. Contact us today or explore our database of business supports at www.EntrepreneurCB.com.

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Last Modified: August 29, 2024