This is text that may repeat on guides.

Static - Text

Fundica

Fundica Widget | Maintained by Fundica.com

This is a free funding search tool that is regularly updated with the most up-to-date information possible. It helps entrepreneurs find grants, tax credits, loans and equity; while helping funders find entrepreneurs for their funding solutions. This comprehensive system contains over 2,500 private and public for-profit funding programs and products across Canada. 

Taxonomy upgrade extras

Getting Started

This section will introduce several "how-to" books on business to help you get started with your research. These books will primarily introduce you to business plan writing. These books will also introduce general business types such as retail and service business models.

Taxonomy upgrade extras

Government of Canada - Business and Industry

Government of Canada - Business and Industry | The Government of Canada's comprehensive page for business and industry guides you through important information on starting a business. You will find necessary permits and information on tax and regulation, as well as advice on how to protect your intellectual property through copyright or trademark, a primer for selling to the federal government, information on importing and exporting goods, and advice on managing and protecting your business operations. 

HealthLinkBC

HealthLinkBC | Provincially-funded telehealth line that provides non-emergency health information to residents of British Columbia. Websites provides an overview of several health topics.

HealthLinkBC

HealthLinkBC | Provincially-funded telehealth line that provides non-emergency health information to residents of British Columbia. Websites provides an overview of several health topics.

HealthLinkBC

HealthLinkBC | Provincially-funded telehealth line that provides non-emergency health information to residents of British Columbia. Websites provides an overview of several health topics.

HealthLinkBC

HealthLinkBC | Provincially-funded telehealth line that provides non-emergency health information to residents of British Columbia. Websites provides an overview of several health topics.

HortEducationBC

HortEducation

HortEducation is the Industry Training Organization that serves the ornamental horticulture industry in British Columbia. HortEducation is sanctioned by the BC provincial government's Industry Training Authority (ITA). HortEducation coordinates the skill needs of horticultural employers, workers, and trainees with available  training and education programs and services.

Taxonomy upgrade extras

How to Conduct your Competitive Analysis

An in-depth investigation and analysis of your competition is one of the most important components of a comprehensive market analysis. A competitive analysis allows you to assess your competitors' strengths and weaknesses in the marketplace, and to implement effective strategies to improve your competitive advantage. Here are some research strategies for doing your competitive analysis:

  • Company directories can be used to create lists of competitors by industry, product line, size, etc.
  • Doing a company name search in a general research database is an excellent way to learn more about your competitor’s products, services, prices, and media coverage.
  • If your competitors are public companies, learn more about them by reading their financials and annual reports.
  • News archives provide a range of competitive information on both public and private companies.
  • Patents are a good way to learn about the technical and design features of a competitor's products. You can refer to this UBC Library Research Guide, created by UBC Engineering Librarians, if you are looking for patent information. Most of the resources listed are freely available.

For information on primary and secondary market research, as well as common sources for secondary market research, watch our video tutorial Module One: Introduction To Market Research.

Taxonomy upgrade extras

Industry Goals & Questions

In this section you will learn how to:

  • Conduct your industry research
  • Write your industry overview
  • Start your market analysis

Find resources that help you answer the following questions:

  • What industry does your start-up belong to, and how is this industry performing?
  • What are NAICS or SIC codes, and how are they used in business research?
  • What are the risks, trends, opportunities, and outlooks of your specific industry?
  • What are some useful keywords to find articles and reports?
  • What are library databases, and how are they used in business research?
  • What trade associations, journals, and websites are used to research your industry?
  • What are the labour trends in your industry?
Taxonomy upgrade extras