In a nondescript strip mall on Herring Cove Road in Halifax, small business ideas shared by new Nova Scotians are being given the chance to become something bigger.

About 10 projects, from the simple to the scientific, are being quietly developed in a business incubator designed to give immigrants an equal shot at selling their products and services. 

"There's lots of barriers for immigrants who want to start a business," said co-ordinator Ngozi Otti. "We believe that an incubation model is the missing piece in the integration process for immigrants." 

Image: A variety of successful crops, including onions, kale, Jamaican thyme and other plants from Africa have been grown using the Nova Aquaponics system. (Craig Paisley/CBC)