The IDEA Centre is an anacronym for Innovation, Development, Entrepreneurship & Action and the program is delivered in partnership with New Brunswick’s Anglophone South School District. It exposes high school students to concepts and efforts required around starting a business. Students work on business ideas with educators, business leaders and companies.

The Economic Development Greater Saint John Discovery Session is designed for anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit, who wants to learn more about EDGSJ’s entrepreneurial services.

Come on in and tell us about your business idea. Our Entrepreneur Development Coordinator will help you choose the best course for your needs.

The Paid Start-Up Program assists young people between 18 and 29 years old to develop their business ideas in Saint John, NB.

The six-month program provides participants with a strong support network and learning path to help take their business idea from validation to launch while receiving a financial incentive.

• The opportunity to work full-time towards the start-up of a business while receiving $11.25 per hour for 26 weeks for 30 hours per week beginning September 15, 2020. 

• A co-working space in a collaborative environment including individual workspace and access to meeting space. (Participants must bring their own laptop).

• Small business skills training with a small cohort of other aspiring entrepreneurs. Training will be delivered by subject matter experts and typically will take place twice a week in 3-hour sessions. Training sessions cover topics including business pitching, business validation, market research, small business finances, marketing etc.  

• Networking opportunities and individual small business counselling throughout the start-up process.

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The Venture Validation Program is a 13-week program designed to help individuals and/or teams take a business idea through a comprehensive validation process. Participants will be led through a process of customer discovery; in which they will learn what pain points and opportunities their customers have. Participants will learn how to pivot their ideas and how to approach the market. The program is split into two sections:

1. In the first part of VVP, participants will learn how to properly communicate their idea and will have the opportunity to validate the business idea by speaking with potential customers. This will take approximately 5 weeks.
2. In the second part of VVP, participants will continue to validate their business idea with customers but will also learn to properly size the market opportunity, learn and practice pitching their idea and will create a value proposition for this business. 

By the end of the 13 weeks, participants will be ready to launch their businesses and seek out funding and partnerships.

The Business Immigrant Essentials program is a must-have for newcomer entrepreneurs.

What you get:

The BIE offers workshop content led by local business leaders, lawyers, accountants and MBA professors. Upon graduation of the program you will have the tools, resources, network and foundation needed to be successful in our market. This is your go-to program for expertise translation; take your business experience and translate it to Saint John, New Brunswick.

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The Hive Saint John is the city’s only entrepreneur development incubator dedicated exclusively to newcomer professionals.

What you get:

We offer a customized mentorship incubator that includes business coaching, one-on-one growth sessions, dedicated desk space as needed and access to the Business Immigrant Essentials program.

The Impact Loan, formerly known as the SEED loan, is a loan fund for the development or expansion of business in the urban Saint John area. In addition to capital, the program also offers free business management skills training for successful applicants.

How to apply:

An Impact Loan Review Meeting is held in the morning of the final Wednesday of every month. Applications must be submitted nine (9) business days prior to the meeting. To find out more information and apply, go to www.impactatlantic.ca.

Our Incubator Block One offers long-term support for founders of scalable startups. Companies that are developing products with export potential are ideal candidates. Participants are supported by EDGSJ staff and an Entrepreneur in Residence. If you’re looking for advice on engaging with customers, raising investment, and finding money from government programs, our incubator can help.

You will receive:

• Up to four full-time desks in our Incubator Facility
• Weekly mentoring sessions from our Entrepreneur-in-Residence
• Access to networking opportunities
• Connection to investors
• Workshops

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BLOCK ONE

Kickstart your Business is a business networking and skills development course led by local experts, and designed specifically for new business owners.

You will learn about:

• Business finance
• Sales
• Marketing
• Social media
• Taxes