Ontario Creates — IP Fund: Interactive Content Stream

Program Description

Supports Ontario companies developing original video games and XR content through pre-production and production grants covering up to 50% of eligible Ontario expenses.

Eligibility Requirements

• Canadian-owned and controlled organization, as defined in the Investment Canada Act
• Incorporated in Ontario or federally and registered in Ontario — or, if not incorporated at time of application, prepared to incorporate immediately if successful
• Private sector, for-profit
• Ontario-based with a principal place of business in Ontario serving as head office and base of operations; must be eligible to pay corporate income taxes in Ontario with the Ontario address listed as head office in the T2 filing, and must keep that principal place of business in Ontario for the funding duration
• In sound financial position, including all associated companies, and in good standing with Ontario Creates
• Develops video games and/or XR content as its primary activity
• At least one owner or full-time permanent employee at a senior level with a minimum of three years of professional full-time experience in the video game and/or XR content industry — work completed while enrolled in a post-secondary program does not count
• Existing companies (over one year of operation and/or a released title): at least 50% of revenues and/or expenditures from the past two years associated with video game/XR development
• New companies (under one year, no released title): must be majority-owned (51% minimum) by Ontario residents — an Ontario resident is someone who has lived in the province 200 of the last 365 days and filed their last tax return in Ontario
• Emerging companies and career-changers who do not meet these requirements are directed to the Futures Forward Workshop Program instead
• Applications should be submitted by the primary corporate entity, not a single purpose production company
• The project must be proprietary — the applicant must own at least 51% of the copyright and/or have permission to adapt any material, with a revenue share proportionate to ownership. Projects equally owned 50/50 by two eligible companies are also eligible
• The project must be primarily for a consumer audience (measured by source of revenue), intended to entertain, intended for commercial exploitation, primarily unique creative professional content, and primarily digital content
• Projects already underway may be eligible only if no more than 20% is complete and substantial pre-production or production activities remain
• INELIGIBLE PROJECTS: enhancements, improvements, augmentations, ports and redesigns of already-released products; projects primarily for businesses, organizations, training or educational institutions or professional development; projects requiring physical content components for users to interact; projects involving gambling or cash prizing; projects receiving support through other Ontario Creates programs for the same activities
• A minimum 10% of the total project budget must be a cash contribution from a source other than Ontario Creates
• International partnerships and coproductions are permitted; preference may be given to projects substantially owned by Ontario-based organizations
• Products that would be contrary to public policy in Ontario Creates' opinion are not eligible
• A project may be submitted a maximum of 3 times, after which applications are considered only in exceptional circumstances