IGNITE Labs

09/26/2026

🇨🇦✈️🇮🇹 Two weeks to Cuneo!

Back in April, 20 startups pitched across three nights in Bridgewater, Pictou County and Kings County, with one company from each region selected to represent Nova Scotia in Italy.

After a summer of meetings, pitch prep and visits with each of the teams, Petite Rivière Farms, Micro Garden / Bramble Hill Farm and Bioteem40 are almost ready to go.

If you haven’t been following along, Cuneo is home to this year’s International Network of Michelin Cities (INMC) Conference. INMC connects communities around the world that have ties to Michelin, including Bridgewater, Pictou County and Kings County here in Nova Scotia. It gives those communities a way to work together and, in this case, create some pretty unique opportunities for local businesses.

While they’re there, our three companies will pitch alongside entrepreneurs from other INMC communities, meet people from around the world and get a chance to introduce their businesses to a much wider audience.

Hard to believe we’re down to just two weeks to go. 🇮🇹

09/24/2026

Cybersecurity advice should make sense for the business you actually run.

Cyber Close to Home is a free half-day event created for small and medium-sized businesses across Southwest Nova Scotia. Come hear from people who work in cybersecurity and fraud, learn about emerging threats, and pick up practical steps you can use in your business. There will also be time to ask questions and connect with other local businesses.

Our keynote speaker, Travis Barlow, has worked on more than 600 incident-response engagements. He’ll be joined by Jeff Parker, Finn Howell, and Ashley Burke, founder of Rural Coast Cyber Security.

📅 October 19 | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
📍 Aerospace Park Atlantic, Yarmouth Airport
🎟️ Free to attend

Presented by IGNITE, Rural Coast Cyber, and the Yarmouth and Area Chamber of Commerce.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/cyber-close-to-home-yarmouth-tickets-2002152568228?

09/23/2026

Check out this workshop we’ll be running with Cape Breton University!

Have an idea, a side hustle or a creative talent you’d like to turn into income?

The Shannon School of Business, in partnership with Ignite, is launching a free entrepreneurship workshop series designed to help CBU students explore the entrepreneurial journey and develop an entrepreneurial mindset.

You don’t have to be a business student to participate! This series is completely free and students from any program or field of study are welcome.

Fall Sessions:
Thursday, October 1
Thursday, October 22
Thursday, November 26

11:45am-12:45pm in SB100

Three more sessions will take place in the Winter term, leading to a pitch competition in early April.

Attend all six sessions to receive a completion certificate for the full series or join us for individual sessions.

To learn more and register today, visit: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=GjnGA9TyV0my54XNBi0O8dqzPgeKSOBHgbu4_k2eKixUREM1M0tLT0U5TVVHQlhUUUZEQ1M0N0sxNC4u

09/17/2026

Great opportunity for women-owned businesses!

In today’s shifting economic landscape, companies operating in Canada are facing new challenges and new opportunities. Sourcing from diverse, Canadian-owned suppliers isn’t just good for business; it strengthens supply chains, drives innovation, and is vital to enhance economic impact.

Are you a diverse supplier looking to expand your business into new markets?

Join one of our three upcoming corporate roundtable events for women-owned businesses.

During the event you will have the chance to:

- Learn high-level overview of those corporate organizations in attendance and meet with them briefly to introduce your business
- Collaborate with other Atlantic women-owned businesses
- Learn more about supplier diversity

Join us, learn more, and register for one of our roundtable events!

Pictou County, October 22nd: https://app.simplycast.ca/?q=forms/take&i=6a5fad4fdd2b42.44731256

Cape Breton, October 29th: https://app.simplycast.ca/?q=forms/take&i=6aaa999e262a63.72999646

Kings County, November 26th: https://app.simplycast.ca/?q=forms/take&i=6a9afbac5f6178.07184244

09/16/2026

☕✨Ignite Atlantic is proud to partner with the Centre for Women in Business for a Women’s Networking Breakfast in Cape Breton.

Whether you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, professional, or simply looking to expand your network, this is a great opportunity to connect with other women, share ideas, and start your day with some inspiring conversation.

📅 September 25
⏰ 8:30 AM–10:00 AM
📍Cape Breton Business Innovation Centre

🔗 Register here: https://app.simplycast.ca/?q=forms/take&i=6a984a75991046.17027055

Come grab breakfast, meet new people, and grow your network! 💜

09/15/2026

UPDATE: Women in Business Monthly Meet-Up date has been changed to October 7!

There’s lots happening at IGNITE Northern this fall! 🍂

Whether you’re looking to make new connections, learn new skills, grow your business, or see what IGNITE has to offer, we have an upcoming event for you:

☕ Sept. 16 — Propel Coffee Meet and Greet
💻 Sept. 24, 4–6 p.m. — Vibe Code Club
🏠 Sept. 28, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. — IGNITE Open House
✨ Oct. 7, 4–6 p.m. — Women in Business Monthly Meet-Up
🎥 Oct. 15, 4–6 p.m. — Hit Record: Short-Form Video for Your Business

All events take place at IGNITE Northern in New Glasgow.

Learn more and register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/o/ignite-17743415525. We hope to see you there!

09/11/2026

📅 September is packed with events at the Cape Breton Business Innovation Centre!

Join us in Sydney for a full lineup of opportunities to learn, connect, and grow — from Propel events and funding info sessions to networking and commercial space insights. 💡🤝

Register here:
Sept. 15 Propel events: RSVP [email protected]
Sept. 17 NRC-IRAP Info Session: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/2000472635504?aff=oddtdtcreator
Sept. 25 Women’s Networking Breakfast: https://app.simplycast.ca/?q=forms/take&i=6a984a75991046.17027055
Sept. 29 Commercial Space Lunch & Learn: Registration coming soon!

Save the dates and we’ll see you at the CB Business Innovation Centre! 💜

09/10/2026

You need to have a business already. You need to work in tech. You need to know exactly what kind of support you need.

None of that is true.

We’re clearing up some of the biggest myths about IGNITE and who we support. Take a look, then reach out if you think we might be able to help. There’s no cost to start a conversation.

09/09/2026

Big ideas need the right place to take flight.

That's why IGNITE Atlantic and Aerospace Park Atlantic have formed a new partnership to help aerospace, aviation, defence and autonomous-systems companies move new technologies from prototype to real-world testing and commercialization.

By combining Aerospace Park Atlantic’s runway, accessible airspace, hangars and proximity to marine infrastructure with IGNITE’s business support, mentorship and innovation networks, we’re creating new opportunities for companies to test, grow and invest in Southwest Nova Scotia.

This partnership is also an important step toward building skilled jobs, strengthening local supply chains and growing globally relevant industries in rural Nova Scotia.

Read the full announcement: https://igniteatlantic.com/ignite-atlantic-and-aerospace-park-atlantic-partner-to-move-aerospace-innovation-from-prototype-to-market/

09/08/2026

Calling all Cape Breton entrepreneurs!

Join us Friday, September 25th for a networking breakfast hosted in partnership with IGNITE Atlantic from 8:30 to 10:30am at the Cape Breton Business Innovation Centre to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, business owners, and community partners in a relaxed and engaging setting.

During the morning, you'll have the opportunity to:

- Build meaningful connections with fellow entrepreneurs and business supporters.
- Explore topics and challenges related to business growth.
- Participate in an interactive breakout networking session.

The CWB will be presenting a business topic to discuss allowing for collaborative, peer-to-peer conversations with others in the entrepreneurial community.

Spots are limited! Register now: https://app.simplycast.ca/?q=forms/take&i=6a984a75991046.17027055