Your Business. Your Path.
Map Your Next Step.
Find the resources, connections and opportunities to move your business forward.
Connect With Your Local Business Community
Every community has something different to offer. Choose yours to discover local organizations, programs, events and opportunities that can help you move forward.
Where are You in Your Business Journey?
Access tools, templates, guides and courses you can use at your own pace to build a strong foundation and take your business to the next level
Idea
Have a business idea?
Access tools and resources to help you develop and validate.
Start Up
Ready to launch?
Access planning tools, training and support to help build a strong foundation.
Growth
Ready to scale?
Access financing, advisory, programs and connections to help strengthen your business.
Exit
Planning what's next?
Explore valuation and transition resources to help you plan
your next move.
Support for Every Entrepreneur
No two journeys look the same–and that's something to celebrate. Explore tailored support for every kind of entrepreneur. Every path forward is accessible, empowering, and built for success.
Entrepreneurs with
Disabilities
Newcomers to
Canada
LGBTQIA+
Community
Youth
Entrepreneur
Indigenous
Entrepreneurs
If you self-identify with any of the groups above, our specialized services are here to support your journey. You belong here and we're ready to walk alongside you.
Every Business Journey Has a Story
Messages from Local Entrepreneurs
"Surround yourself with other business owners that understand you and what you're going through. You can always learn from each other. The CIE program has been such a motivating group that genuinely cares about the success of each company they work with. I have built so many lasting relationships from this inclusive group."
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Christine McLeod, Owner
The Pink Wand Cleaning
Cochrane/YYC West
"The Tourism Experience Mentorship program also helped inspire us to keep working on our product development and what we offer guests.General access to mentorship and guidance has been really valuable and appreciated. It makes me feel we are connected to the community and not only have support if we need it, but also that we can provide support to Cochrane Tourism when needed.
The Innovate Cochrane program really helped open up my mind to how important it is to keep experimenting, challenging and being curious about our operations."
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Georgina De Caigny, Executive Director
Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary
"I went into SMARTstart with a lot (probably too many) ideas about the kind of work I wanted to offer and where my experience could be useful. Working through the program helped me organize those ideas and get much clearer about what my business was actually helping people do. Having a mentor to bounce ideas off was a big part of that, especially someone outside my field who could challenge me to think about my services from the client’s side. That shift in perspective has probably been the most valuable part, and it’s something I still use to make what I do more accessible to clients who may know the problem they’re trying to solve, but not necessarily what tools or expertise could help them solve it."
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Brian Yakiwchuk,
YAK Restoration
Want to Share Your Story? Your experience could help another entrepreneur take their next step. Tell us about your business journey and the people, programs or resources that guided your path.
> SHARE YOUR STORY
