Entrepreneurship and Small Business Incubation

Entrepreneurship and Small Business Incubation are cornerstone strategies for the development and growth of small businesses. The following are some resources available to entrepreneurs wishing to start or expand an existing business.

Business Enterprise Centres provides information, resources and consulting for new small businesses. The site also provides:

• the location and contact information for the Business Enterprise Centres & Small Business Self-Help Offices located across Ontario
• a listing of specific business development resources

The Entrepreneurship Center provides practical and detailed information on various aspects such as:

• thinking about starting a business
• starting a business
• growing a businesses

The Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre is a joint federal-provincial information centre for new and established entrepreneurs. The site provides:

• a network of business information and services
• information about government programs, services and regulations on starting and operating a business in Ontario
• information on the activities of some private-sector organizations involved in business development

Business incubators are proving to be key instruments in the nurturing and growth of small businesses. Depending upon the type of incubator, they can offer the entrepreneur a wide range of services and resources required for the growth of a new business venture e.g. physical location, mentoring assistance, management assistance, business counseling and advisory services, technical information, financial advice, training, networks etc.

The Canadian Association of Business Incubators has a membership of 87 individuals / organizations involved in business incubators. The site provides:

• a listing of business incubators in Canada
• a network of contacts
• training in incubator development
• links to other business incubator resources

The National Business Incubators Association is an U.S. based organization with 900 members. This membership has grown from 12 in 1980. The site provides a wealth of practical resources and information for anyone wishing to develop a business incubator. The site features:

• a bookstore from which valuable resources can be obtained e.g.
• "Incubating in Rural Areas: Challenges and Keys to Success"
• "Best Practices in Action: Guidelines for Implementing First-Class Business Incubation Programs"
• principles and practices of successful business incubators
• tips for launching a business incubator
• links to member incubators

For more information on the contents of this section, contact us.