The Pitch
Read "7 Essentials for an Elevator Pitch That Gets People to Listen" (Entrepreneur)
and the University of Toronto's "All about pitching" for more information.
Business Plans
What is it? and why do you need it? A business plan is a document you can present to the bank, and investors with your goals and strategies, target market, and financial forecast. This can then be used to measure your growth and progress in the future.
Business Tool Kits, Checklists, & Hubs
Many organizations offer Business Tool Kits that take you through the process of creating and implementing a business plan.
- Entrepreneur's Toolkit - Business Development Bank of CanadaResources and online tools for small business planning - compiled by the Bank of Canada
- Business Start Up Checklist - Business LinkChecklist detailing key points to keep in mind when starting a business
- MaRS Startup ToolkitAccess to articles, reports and multimedia relating to starting an entrepreneurial venture
Associations and Directories
In addition to helping you find out more about local businesses, community building and current market trends in a specific industry, associations may offer support for business planning.
- Edmonton MadeList of Edmonton businesses
- Edmonton UnlimitedAs the City of Edmonton’s innovation agency, we provide local innovators with the right assistance at the right time, we help Edmonton’s entrepreneurs translate their ideas into tangible, growing companies.
- Business directory search (Edmonton Chamber of Commerce)The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce is one of the longest-running and most influential business organizations in Canada.
- Start AlbertaAlberta's startup community linking to companies, investors , organizations, people and news
- Creative Destruction LabConnect with other early-stage companies, and gain potential mentorship on seed-stage financing for startups
- Government of Canada - National Industry OrganizationsDirectory of industry associations in major sectors with descriptions and contact information.
Planning & Starting your Business
- Starting a business (Government of Canada)Gateway to government information for business.
- Starting and Running a Business - Government of AlbertaLinks to startup resources within the Government of Alberta
- BizPal (Service Alberta)Permits and licenses for different levels of government (provincial, municipal) by type of business.
- Get a Business License (Edmonton)Learn more about Edmonton's Business Licence Bylaw and other regulations that business owners need to know
- Business LinkBusiness Link provides customized business advice and support for entrepreneurs navigating building, running and growing their own businesses. They provide one-on-one support and guidance, market research, access to experts, training, networking opportunities, and specialized support for Indigenous and immigrant entrepreneurs. Business Link strives to provide support services that will drive the growth of great Alberta Businesses
- Business Advice (Royal Bank)Information on starting & expanding a business.
- Info Entrepreneurs LibraryInfo-guides on developing and maintaining your own business within Canada
- Project Entrepreneur - theTools PodcastPodcast series on key concepts and ideas essential to creating a successful business pitch