Micro-Loan Program For Female Entrepreneurs

Under the Micro-Loan Program, female entrepreneurs from across Cape Breton – Unama’ki will be eligible to apply for a loan of up to $10,000. 

May 3, 2023 Update:
We are happy to announce that along with a one-year membership to either the Cape Breton Regional and Strait Area Chambers of Commerce, participants in the Micro-Loan Program will also receive a one-year membership with the Centre for Women in Business.

New businesses create new employment opportunities, and both directly benefit the Cape Breton – Unama’ki economy. That is why the Cape Breton Partnership has partnered with Sydney Credit Union, East Coast Credit Union, Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Strait Area Chamber of Commerce and the Centre for Women in Business to offer the latest round of a micro-loan program for female entrepreneurs in Cape Breton – Unama’ki.

Under the Micro-Loan Program, female entrepreneurs from across Cape Breton – Unama’ki will be eligible to apply for a loan of up to $10,000, offered at a low-interest rate, with zero percent interest for the first six months. Participants in the program will also receive a one-year membership with either the Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce or Strait Area Chamber of Commerce, and a one-year membership with the Centre for Women in Business. The program’s third round officially opened on January 1, 2023, and will run for three months or until the program funds are allocated. 

All financial aspects of the loan will be managed by either the Sydney Credit Union or East Coast Credit Union, and the Cape Breton Partnership will provide access to mentors, programs, and additional resources that participating entrepreneurs may require such as business planning, support for export, immigration and economic research. Participants will also commit to submitting monthly status reports to the Cape Breton Partnership. 

Each application will be evaluated and considered on a case-by-case basis and will use the applicable Credit Union’s existing adjudication and due diligence process in making decisions to grant loans.

If you would like to be notified of future updates on this program, please enter your information below.

(e.g., Joe’s T-shirt Printing Shop in Annapolis Royal)
(e.g., Sydney River; Ingonish; St. Peter's; etc.)
(e.g., “I want to establish a t-shirt printing press that prints customized local designs for fashion-conscious customers between 15-25 years.”)
Please enter the amount (up to $10,000) you are expecting you would need for this micro-loan.

If you have any questions, or would like to receive an off-line version of the application, please contact Lan Zheng, Economic Development Officer, at lan@capebretonpartnership.com.

Local Cape Breton – Unama’ki entrepreneurs are also encouraged to visit EntrepreneurCB.com for further resources and supports!

This project is made possible by the Cape Breton Partnership’s collaboration with the Sydney Credit Union, East Coast Credit Union, Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Strait Area Chamber of Commerce, & Centre for Women in Business as well as Cape Breton – Unama’ki’s First Nation and Municipal partners through both the Cape Breton Regional Enterprise Network and the CBRM Regional Enterprise Network.