Are you opening or operating a business in Edmonton? The Business Friendly Edmonton team is here to help with free, one-on-one support.
One-on-One Support
Whether you’re starting a new business, or have been operating one for years, the Business Friendly team is here to help navigate City processes and answer questions related to:
- Location support
- Business licences
- Zoning and business class use
- Development permits
- Building permits
- Home-based business regulations
- Business support grants and funding opportunities
As an active growth partner, we help local business owners start, grow and invest with confidence. Since 2022, we have helped over 10,000 local businesses.
Webinars and Workshops
Webinars
Business friendly means making your business goals the center of our work. Join webinars and workshops to ask City staff questions about navigating permits for opening or expanding a business.
Customized Workshops
The City partners with organizations to deliver business workshops and grant presentations. Contact businesssupport@edmonton.ca for more information.
Business Networking Events
Community Coffee Takeover with Edmonton Unlimited
Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Time: 9-11am
Location: Edmonton Unlimited
10107 Jasper Avenue
Small Business Week BIA Mixer
Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Time: 5-7pm
Location: CTC Storytelling Centre @ The Hull Block
10601 97 Street Northwest
Business Webinars
Location Ready: Guide to Permits, Licensing, and Business Planning
Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Time: 2-3:30pm
Location: Virtual
Your Winter-Ready Business: Cold Weather Tips for Creating Warm Spaces
Date: Thursday, October 22, 2026
Time: 10-11:30 am
Location: Virtual
Scale Your Edmonton Business: Brand, Strategy and Authenticity
Date: Thursday October 22, 2026
Time: 1-3pm
Location: Virtual
Recorded workshops are available in the Small Business Series playlist.
Popular Topics
Resources
The City partners with many innovative organizations to make Edmonton a great place to do business.
Alberta Health Services helps food handling and personal services related businesses in securing the required permits and making businesses safe for customers.
Alberta Women Entrepreneurs is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women gain access to capital, connections and business development capacity.
Business Link is a non-profit organization that assists in navigating the steps of business development, including market research, business planning, human resource advice and income tax information.
Edmonton Global is a regional economic development corporation working to create local, regional, provincial, national and global partnerships and enter a new international market.
Edmonton Unlimited stewards equitable innovation and intensive entrepreneurship at every stage of business growth from start-up to scale-up.
Entrepreneurial Law Clinic is a University of Alberta initiative that provides free legal guidance and support to early-stage entrepreneurs, small businesses, and non-profit organizations in the Edmonton area who cannot otherwise afford legal services.
Explore Edmonton works in collaboration with tourism industry partners to showcase Alberta's capital city to the world.
Futurpreneur provides financing, mentoring and support tools to aspiring business owners aged 18-39.
Parallèle Alberta offers advisory services, mentorship, networking opportunities, and business tools to support Francophone entrepreneurs and business owners at every stage from startup to growth.
PrairiesCan is a federal department that aims to help diversify the economy by supporting business, innovation and community economic development in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Rainbow Registered Accreditation Program is a national accreditation for 2SLGBTQI+ friendly businesses and organizations.