The Comox Valley has a number of Business Networking groups, each with its own focus and mandate.
The Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce exists to be the voice of business in the Comox Valley. Their mission is community and business leadership through excellence, innovation and sustainability.
Downtown Courtenay BIA provides leadership in the business community to ensure that the Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Area continues to be vibrant and responsive, meeting the needs of its members and the public and remaining on the leading edge of change.
The Comox BIA promotes trade, commerce and an enhanced business and social environment.
Follow the links below for more information on local networking groups.
The Comox Valley has a strong and educated labour market to support businesses looking to expand or relocate to the region. Sources for employment access and information include:
A Business Licence is required if you plan to carry out business within the City of Courtenay.
All businesses, including home-based businesses, operating within the Town of Comox require a business licence. Business licences are valid for each calendar year period, and can be applied for at any time throughout the year. For more information on operating a business in the Town of Comox, click here.
A business license is not necessary to operate in the regional district.
Find more programs / grants here:
The Advance Payments Program (APP) is a federal loan guarantee program which provides agricultural producers with easy access to low-interest cash advances. Learn more
AgriStability protects agricultural producers against declines in their net farming income due to market conditions, production loss or increased costs of production. Payments are made if a producer’s current year margin falls more than 30% below their reference margin. Learn more
The Aquaculture Collaborative Research and Development Program (ACRDP) is a Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) initiative that promotes collaborative research activities between the aquaculture industry and the department, teaming industry representatives with DFO researchers. Learn more
The Venture Acceleration program helps entrepreneurs accelerate the process of defining a proven business model based on a set methodology and set of best practices for growing technology companies. Learn more
As an Indigenous entrepreneur, you could get up to $350,000 to start or grow your business, whether you operate on or off reserve. Learn more
This Small Business Loan is designed to help you quickly and easily access the funds, up to $100,000, you need with flexible terms you can afford. Learn more
The Canadian Agricultural Loans Act (CALA) Program is a loan guarantee program designed to increase the availability of loans to farmers and agricultural co-operatives. Farmers can use these loans to establish, improve, and develop farms, while agricultural co-operatives may also access loans to process, distribute, or market the products of farming. Learn more
For over 30 years, Community Futures has been a proven leader in supporting rural entrepreneurs and small to medium enterprises just like you throughout BC and across Canada to survive and thrive. Learn more
Digital Accelerator for Innovation and Research leverages Canada’s investment in CANARIE and its research and education network to provide Canada’s high-tech entrepreneurs access to free cloud-based compute and storage resources to help them rev up product development and gain a competitive edge in the global market. Learn more
Business loans are available to Indigenous entrepreneurs in British Columbia. Learn more
If you’re new to Canada and don’t have a credit history, Futurpreneur Canada wants to help you launch your business. We provide tailored support and eligibility criteria to reflect your new status in Canada. Learn more
Operation Entrepreneur is a national, bilingual program helping Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans, and their families successfully transition from service, explore second career options, and build the community necessary to confidently start phase two of their lives. Learn more
Canadian small business loan gives you quick access to capital you can use to run your business. Our simple application process takes only a few minutes, and your funds are available for use in as little as 24 hours. Learn more
Women’s Enterprise Centre offers business loans for women-owned businesses in BC. Whether you’re just starting out, purchasing a business or growing your business, we can help. Learn more
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Click here to contact us.
Innovate BC’s Ignite Program provides up to $300,000 to fund innovation projects in the areas of natural resources, applied science and engineering.
BC Tech Co-op Grant – Need talent? Get up to $10,800 in funding to hire a co-op students through the BC Tech Co-op Grant.
Innovator Skills Initiative Program – Offers up to $10,000 a year to hire a business or tech student.
Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) – Provides financial support to qualified small and medium-sized enterprises in Canada to help them undertake technology innovation.
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada NSERC – Alliance grants encourage university researchers to collaborate with partner organizations, which can be from the private, public or not-for-profit sectors.
Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Program – Federal tax incentive program designed to encourage Canadian businesses of all sizes and in all sectors to conduct research and development (R&D) in Canada.