How much funding can be received?

The 2024-2025 Video Game Companies Growth Support Program, a partnership between Creative BC and the Canada Media Fund, offers non-repayable funding of up to $200,000 to assist BC-based video game companies in developing their creative intellectual properties and expanding their business operations. Eligible activities include promotion, marketing, technology and design advancements, personnel costs, and market expansion efforts.

grant_single_labels|projects

This grant supports various activities that aim to enhance the growth and capabilities of video game companies in British Columbia. Eligible projects focus on marketing, talent attraction, technological development, and expanding into foreign markets.

Promotion and marketing initiatives.
User acquisition strategies.
Personnel and workforce development.
Investments in technology, content, and design.
Costs associated with content deployment, including licensing fees, documentation, and development.
Technical and administrative expenses.
Travel expenses up to a certain cap.
Legal, accounting, and consulting fees.
Activities aimed at opening foreign markets.
Quality assurance and usability testing sessions.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the company’s location, ownership, and operations.

The applicant must be a for-profit corporation incorporated in British Columbia or federally, with a head office in British Columbia.
Companies registered in British Columbia from other provinces are not eligible.
The applicant must be Canadian-owned and controlled under the Investment Canada Act, particularly meeting sections 26 to 28 requirements.
Majority of voting shares must be held by residents of British Columbia, defined as Canadian citizens or permanent residents who have lived in the province for at least 200 days out of the 365 preceding the application and have filed a British Columbia tax return for the most recent fiscal year.
The primary business activity must be creating video games for digital gaming platforms, including computers, mobile devices, consoles, and virtual reality.
Eligible games must be owned or optioned by the applicant.
Applicants and any related parties must be in good standing with Creative BC and the Canada Media Fund.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

This grant is designed to evaluate the ability of applicants for funding based on business growth and strategic impact in the video game sector, assessed through a structured evaluation process.

Experience and overall strategic vision of the company.
Clarity in detailing the funding request (objectives, needs, expected outcomes) and potential positive impacts on British Columbia's video game industry.
Stability and financial health of the company.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

This grant has specific restrictions excluding certain companies and industries to ensure alignment with its goals. The focus is on supporting video game studios based in British Columbia with particular eligibility criteria.

Companies not incorporated in British Columbia or federally with headquarters in British Columbia.
Companies registered in British Columbia but incorporated or headquartered in other provinces.
Companies whose principal business is not the creation of video games for digital gaming platforms.
Companies primarily involved in other forms of digital or interactive media, such as websites, mobile applications, interactive projects, and immersive applications that are not deemed as games.
Companies seeking funding for expenses already covered by another program of Creative BC or the Canada Media Fund.
Companies intending to use funds for capital projects, such as the acquisition, renovation, or improvement of land and buildings.
Companies using funds to repay loans or debts, compensate for operating deficits, or buy back equity.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

The eligible expenses for the grant must be incurred primarily in British Columbia and align with supporting the growth of video game companies.

Promotion and marketing activities.
User acquisition strategies.
Personnel and labor costs.
Technology, content, and design-related expenses.
Expenses related to content launch or creation requests, including rights clearance, documentation, design, and development.
Technical and administrative expenses.
Travel costs (accommodation, transport, per diems), capped at 10% of the total allocation.
Legal, accounting, and other consulting fees.
Activities aimed at entering foreign markets.
Testing sessions for quality assurance or usability evaluation.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

This grant is available to companies specifically located within a certain geographical area. The eligibility is focused on supporting regional development within this area.

Companies must have their headquarters established in British Columbia.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the grant’s objectives.

Experience of the company and overall strategic vision.
Clarity of the funding request details (objectives, needs, expected outcomes) and likelihood of positive impact on the video game sector in British Columbia.
Stability and financial health of the company.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 1: Preliminary Preparations
Ensure your company meets all eligibility criteria.
Gather necessary financial statements and document past projects.
Step 2: Create an Online Account
Visit the Creative BC website.
Create an account on their online portal starting August 30, 2024.
Step 3: Prepare Your Application
Develop a comprehensive business expansion plan (maximum of four pages).
Include detailed information about your company, previous titles, and current projects.
List the principal team members and their roles.
Outline your proposed budget for funded activities.
Step 4: Submit the Application
Log into the Creative BC portal to upload your application after August 30, 2024.
Ensure all sections are complete and submit by the deadline: November 4, 2024, at 11:59 PM ET.
Step 5: Post-Submission
Await confirmation via email regarding the receipt of your application.
Address any requests for additional information if contacted by Creative BC within five days.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Other important details for this grant include:

The total budget of the program is CAD 1,000,000, with a maximum grant amount of CAD 200,000 per applicant.
Funding is provided in the form of a non-repayable grant from Creative BC and a non-repayable contribution from the Canada Media Fund (CMF).
Selected applicants will enter into separate funding agreements with Creative BC and the CMF.
Successful applicants will need to provide their PERSONA-ID to CMF. If not already obtained, it must be acquired.
Creative BC and CMF reserve the right to disburse less than the amount requested.
The program encourages inclusivity in the Canadian video game industry, urging applicants to use the "Inclusive Games" report by CMF as a resource.
Applicants and their associated entities must be in good standing with Creative BC and CMF.
Applicants are required to acknowledge Creative BC and CMF public financial support when acknowledging other funding sources.
No appeal process is provided by Creative BC and CMF under this program.

grant_single_labels|contact

nklassen@creativebc.com

Apply to this program

Supporting the Growth of Video Game Companies in British Columbia

This grant program finances the expansion and capacity building of video game companies in British Columbia, offering up to $200,000 in non-repayable funds to eligible applicants. It aims to foster the development of creative intellectual properties within the province's gaming industry.

In-Depth Overview of the Video Game Companies Growth Support Program

The 2024-2025 Video Game Companies Growth Support Program, a collaborative initiative between Creative BC and the Canada Media Fund (CMF), marks its inaugural year as a pilot program uniquely tailored for video game studios based in British Columbia. This program is designed to open new funding avenues for video game studios, supporting their ongoing success and scaling efforts through targeted financial assistance. Up to $200,000 in non-repayable financial support is available per applicant, significantly empowering local studios to elevate their production capabilities and market reach. A total budget of $1,000,000 underscores the commitment to nurturing the homegrown video game industry within the province.

Eligible applicants must present a well-conceived business-oriented proposal emphasizing continuous production capabilities and capacity enhancement strategies. This rigorous requirement underscores the program’s commitment to not only short-term project success but also long-term studio sustainability and industry impact. The funded activities must leverage the allocated funds to demonstrate optimal public fund utilization, aiming for substantial return in economic and creative terms. With a non-repayable fund structure, the program alleviates financial burdens on recipients, allowing them to focus full-steam ahead on innovation and expansion pursuits.

A noteworthy requirement is the substantiation of relevant experience in video game production within British Columbia, which is pivotal for application success. This criterion ensures that the supported studios already have a strong footing and are poised to expand effectively with the injection of new resources. The funding utilization is broad yet strategically focused, covering crucial aspects such as promotion, employee salaries, technology, content design, and market expansion efforts. A minimum of 75% of these expenditures must be executed within British Columbia, fortifying local economic contributions and talent retention while fostering a thriving creative ecosystem.

Additionally, the program places a strong emphasis on inclusivity and respect within the workplace, urging participating studios to embody equitable practices and diversity in their organizational culture. The guiding principles also include a code of conduct adherence, promoting a healthy, respectful workplace environment free from harassment and discrimination.

Applications undergo a comprehensive evaluation by an external advisory committee, comprised of industry experts who meticulously assess strategic vision, financial stability, and expected industry impact among other criteria. This robust assessment framework is designed to maximize the likelihood of selecting candidates whose projects will deliver notable contributions to the industry, enhancing British Columbia’s position as a powerhouse in the video game landscape.

In summary, the Video Game Companies Growth Support Program is an extensive initiative geared towards empowering BC-based video game studios with the financial support and strategic guidance necessary for scaling their operations and achieving significant creative and economic outcomes. It represents not only a fiscal opportunity but also a commitment to fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable gaming industry in the province.