AcceleratiON Program

• Direct grant funding ranging from a minimum of $2,500 to a maximum of $20,000 per project.
• Up to 100% of project costs covered for budgets of $10,000 or less; up to 75% coverage for budgets exceeding $10,000.
• Funding disbursed in two installments: 70% upon approval and 30% upon satisfactory completion and approval of the final report and deliverables.
• All eligible costs must be incurred between January 1, 2026, and December 31, 2026.

• The applicant must be a self-identifying Black- or Indigenous-owned business.
• The business must generate the majority of its revenue from music-based activities.
• The applicant must be incorporated or a registered business (with a Master Business Licence).
• The business must have been in operation for at least one year.
• The applicant must be a legal resident of Canada and have resided in Ontario for at least one year at the time of application.

Who is eligible?

• Record labels
• Music publishers
• Artist managers
• Concert promoters
• Festival presenters
• Booking agents
• Recording studios
• Music production businesses
• Podcasters and owners of original content platforms
• Music publicists
• Music marketing businesses

Who is not eligible

• Businesses and organizations that have previously received support through any other Ontario Creates investment program.
• Companies that are not Black- or Indigenous-owned music businesses.
• Businesses that do not generate the majority of their revenue from music-based activities.
• Professional development activities run by not-for-profit entities (such as workshops, song camps, panel sessions) are not eligible for funding.

Eligible expenses

• Business development expenses, such as HR capacity expansion, professional development course fees, business planning consultants, and accounting and legal services.
• Creative development costs, including recording, production, and expenses related to content creation or production of live music events.
• Marketing and promotional expenditures, such as brand development, advertising, and publicity.
• Strategic business travel and/or conference attendance related to business growth.
• Operational expenses, including staffing, administrative, and overhead costs.
• Capital expenditures (for equipment, materials, or software) and in-kind expenses are covered up to a maximum of 10% of the total budget.

Eligible geographic areas

• Ontario

• Track record of the business and/or its founders (20%).
• Feasibility of the budget and proposed activities (15%).
• Innovation, quality, and creativity presented in the proposal (25%).
• Degree to which the proposed activities will contribute to the growth, capacity, and sustainability of the business (20%).
• Potential for critical and commercial success as a result of the investment (20%).

• Decisions will be communicated to applicants approximately 14 weeks after the application deadline.
• The number and amount of awards depend on the annual budget confirmation of Ontario Creates.
• Ontario Creates reserves the right to alter program guidelines with a public notice to potential applicants.
• All information in the application is kept strictly confidential as per the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.