Ontario Creates Industry Development Program
Highlights
This program is designed for businesses like yours in the book, magazine, film, television, and interactive digital media sectors. It offers significant support to help you grow and sustain your business. By applying, you can access funding for activities that expand your skills, business capacity, market share, sales, and innovation.
Why Apply?
- Funding for Business Development: Support for B2B and B2C activities that generate new business leads, sales, and relationships.
- Capacity Building: Strategic activities to address challenges and opportunities, enhancing your organization's capacity.
- Professional Development: Mentorship and training opportunities, especially for mid-career professionals from equity-deserving communities.
Benefits
- Financial Support: Funding for initiatives with long-term impacts on growth and sustainability.
- Flexibility: Apply for multiple projects per deadline, with a straightforward application process.
- Expert Guidance: Consultation with Ontario Creates Consultants to ensure your project’s eligibility and success.
This program is an excellent opportunity to secure the resources you need to thrive in your industry.
Financing Details
Type of Financing: Tax Credit
Eligible Expenses:
- Costs related to content creation, including production and development.
- Marketing and distribution expenses.
- Business development activities such as industry events and initiatives.
- Strategic activities addressing environmental sustainability and accessibility.
Use of Funds:
- Funds can be used to expand skills, business capacity, market share, sales, and innovation.
- Activities must show potential for measurable results in the book, magazine, film, television, and interactive digital media sectors.
Restrictions:
- Funds cannot be used for activities outside the specified sectors.
- Personal expenses and non-business-related costs are not eligible.
Fees:
- No application fees.
- No additional fees associated with the program.
Qualifications
- Must be an established trade or event organization.
- Must be located in Ontario.
- Must operate within the book, magazine, film, television, or interactive digital media sectors.
- Must begin project planning no later than 3 months after the application deadline.
- Must complete the project within 12 months.
- Must submit applications via the Ontario Creates Online Application Portal (OAP).
First-time applicants must speak with an Ontario Creates Consultant before applying.
Disqualifications:
- Late applications will not be considered.
- Applications submitted by any method other than the Ontario Creates Online Application Portal will not be accepted.
Description
This program offers funding to support your business's growth and sustainability in the book, magazine, film, television, and interactive digital media sectors. You can receive funding for activities that expand skills, business capacity, market share, sales, and innovation. This means you can invest in initiatives that will have a long-term positive impact on your business.
There are two main streams of support:
Business Development: This stream helps with business-to-business (B2B) industry activities and business-to-consumer (B2C) audience development activities. These activities can lead to new business leads, sales, and relationships.
Capacity Building: This stream supports strategic activities that address challenges and opportunities or environmental changes. This can help increase the capacity of your organization or its stakeholder group.
Priority areas for 2024-25 include:
- Environmental Sustainability
- Accessibility
- Mentorship and training opportunities for mid-career professionals, especially those from equity-deserving communities
By participating in this program, your business can gain the tools and support needed to thrive in a competitive market.
Program Steps
Schedule a Consultation Call: Contact an Ontario Creates Consultant to discuss the eligibility of your organization and project. Complete the request form to schedule this call.
Read the Guidelines: Thoroughly read the program guidelines to understand the requirements and ensure your project aligns with the program's objectives.
Prepare Documentation: Gather the necessary documents for your application. These typically include:
- Business plan
- Financial statements
- Detailed project description
- Budget template (available on the Ontario Creates website)
- Applicant affidavit
Register for an Information Session: If available, attend a webinar hosted by Ontario Creates to ask questions and gain a better understanding of the application process. Register online by 5:00 PM on the day before the session.
Complete the Online Application: Access the Ontario Creates Online Application Portal (OAP) and fill out the application form. Ensure all required fields are completed accurately.
Submit the Application: Submit your completed application through the OAP by the specified deadline. Late applications will not be considered.
Await Review: Your application will be reviewed to ensure it meets all criteria. Be prepared to provide additional information if requested.
Receive Approval and Funding: If approved, you will receive funding for your project. Discuss the final terms, including any reporting requirements and deadlines for project completion.
