About Invest Nova Scotia
Invest Nova Scotia is Nova Scotia's business development agency, combining start-up, commercialization, investment, export and business-growth support across sectors including defence, aerospace, ocean technology and digital industries.
Operating context
Invest Nova Scotia combines business-development, export and investment-attraction services with startup capital and incubation. The Nova Scotia First Fund makes direct venture investments and commitments to venture funds, with return-seeking capital, governance and co-investor support. Accelerate is a separate non-dilutive pathway: its Growth Stream provides C$30,000 with sales support, while Development provides C$40,000 for investment readiness, technical validation and advisory work. Payments reimburse eligible expenses rather than providing unrestricted cash. The published eligibility requires Nova Scotia registration and a permanent address, most workforce and leadership residing locally, majority ownership by local founders, substantial founder commitment and limits on prior revenue and equity raised. A startup cannot repeat the program, and the present intake is closed. The September 2026 cohort includes batteries, sovereign AI and marine intelligence, demonstrating breadth beyond conventional software. Founders should distinguish a grant-supported development milestone from a venture investment process and use the agency’s advisor route to establish which fits their capital needs and location.