Applying for a business loan isn’t just about needing funding—it’s about being fundable. But what does that mean? Applying for a business loan isn’t just about needing funding—it’s about being fundable. This workshop gives you a clear understanding of what “loan‑ready” means at CEED so you can confidently determine whether you’re ready to apply now, need a few refinements, or should build more foundation first. In this session, you will: Get a straightforward breakdown of CEED’s loan expectations, processes, and pathways - Learn from real client examples—common mistakes, roadblocks, and how to avoid them Understand what a strong application actually looks like (and why it matters) No hype. No sales pitch. Just clear, practical guidance to help you move forward with confidence. What You’ll Walk Away With A clear understanding of CEED’s loan criteria Confidence about whether to apply now or prepare first Direction on which CEED supports fit you best Fewer surprises later in the loan process

Protecting your innovations starts with understanding your intellectual property. Protecting intellectual property is critical for defence and security companies seeking to maintain a competitive advantage, secure investment, and support growth. Invest Nova Scotia, in partnership with Springboard Atlantic, invite you to join us for this introductory session on intellectual property (IP)—part one of two sessions—designed specifically for companies operating in the defence sector. Participants will gain an overview of key IP concepts and strategies for protecting valuable innovations. Whether you are an early-stage company or looking to strengthen your IP knowledge, this session will provide practical insights to help safeguard your business assets. Protection in the defence sector is turning out to be largely about understanding your IP assets and how you can negotiate with Government or Primes to retain certain rights. The Defence Industrial Strategy presents new opportunities to revise boilerplate IP provisions, allowing start-ups, SME’s and dual-use companies to retain and leverage their IP rights. Guest speaker This session features guest speaker Erin Best, Trademark Agent & Partner at Stewart McKelvey Law. Erin Best is a partner with Stewart McKelvey whose practice includes intellectual property, cybersecurity, privacy, commercial litigation, and defence and security matters. She advises clients on […]

Unlock practical insights and creative strategies to elevate your impact in this virtual session Getting started with AI is a one-hour, interactive online session tailored specifically for staff and volunteers working in non-profit and community organizations. The workshop aims to provide participants with a practical understanding of how artificial intelligence is already influencing everyday tasks and decision-making processes within these sectors. Through engaging, real-world examples, the session will break down complex AI concepts, tackle common questions and concerns, and highlight how AI tools can be leveraged responsibly and ethically. No technical expertise required! Led by Dr. Angela Siegel, Associate Dean Academic for the Faculty of Computer Science at Dalhousie University, the presentation will focus on demystifying AI and equipping attendees with the language and confidence needed to navigate conversations about artificial intelligence within their organizations. By the end of the hour, participants will not only gain a clearer perspective on the potential and limitations of AI, but also learn how to align its use with their organization’s mission and values. This accessible workshop empowers community-focused groups to approach AI thoughtfully, ensuring it serves as a tool for informed and mission-driven decision-making.

Laptops open. No keynotes. Just 2 hours of hands-on AI learning with real tools, real problems, and real people. Everyone welcome AI Working Group Meetup Hey there! If you've ever left an AI talk thinking "that was interesting, but I have no idea what to actually do with it" — this is built for you. AI Working Group is a hands-on community for anyone who wants to genuinely learn AI — not watch someone else use it. Every 3 weeks, a small group of us meets in Halifax for 2 focused hours, laptops open, working directly with real AI tools and agents to solve real, practical problems together. No keynotes. No panels. No slides. Just doing.

This Ocean Connector is sponsored by Halifax Partnership and will focus on building a future-ready workforce for Canada’s innovation economy Canada is facing growing pressure to strengthen its workforce as industries adapt to rapid technological change, evolving skill requirements, and increasing demand for talent across the innovation economy. Employers across sectors are focused on developing the people, capabilities, and adaptable skills needed to support long-term economic resilience and growth. This session will bring together employers, educators, community partners, government, and emerging talent to explore workforce readiness, skills development, and cross-sector collaboration. The discussion will highlight how transferable and parallel skills — such as problem-solving, digital literacy, data awareness, systems thinking, adaptability, communication, and collaboration — enable mobility across industries and support transitions into the broader innovation and technology ecosystem. Pathways into areas such as engineering, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, digital industries, and other emerging technology sectors will be explored, along with the role of upskilling and reskilling in supporting career mobility. The conversation will also emphasize inclusive access to opportunity for Indigenous, Northern, rural, and underrepresented communities. Hosted by COVE, the July 23 Ocean Connector is sponsored by Halifax Partnership and will focus on building a future-ready workforce for Canada’s innovation […]