Updated July 2026 · Verified against Ontario Creates (Ontario Music Office) guidelines
Reimbursement
Grant Provincial Active

Ontario Creates — OMIF Music Company Development

Ontario Creates (Ontario Music Office)
Maximum Funding
Eligible applicants may request up to 40% of their two-year...
September 10, 2026 (Intake 2 — 2026-27); Intake 1 was April 23, 2026
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Moderate
Payment
Reimbursement
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
—
Co-Funding
50%
Ontario Creates — OMIF Music Company Development provides up to Eligible applicants may request up to 40% of their two-year average annual revenue, to a maximum of $125,000 per funding cycle and $250,000 over three consecutive cycles; OMIF covers up to 50% of eligible activity costs. A grant stream within Ontario's Music Investment Fund (OMIF) that supports Ontario-based record labels, music publishers, and music management companies to develop competitive, sustainable businesses. The program covers up to 50% of eligible costs. Applications are accepted September 10, 2026 (Intake 2 — 2026-27); Intake 1 was April 23, 2026.
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Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

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Program Description

A grant stream within Ontario's Music Investment Fund (OMIF) that supports Ontario-based record labels, music publishers, and music management companies to develop competitive, sustainable businesses. Provides up to 50% of eligible activity costs to a maximum of $125,000 per funding cycle, with a rolling three-year cap of $250,000. Eligible companies must have revenues exceeding $125,000 annually and provide matching contributions. Two intake deadlines per year.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Ontario-based domestic record labels (majority Canadian ownership and control)
  • Multinational record labels with Ontario operations (exempt from the Canadian-ownership test)
  • Ontario-based domestic music publishers
  • Ontario-based domestic music management companies
  • Companies deriving revenue from any combination of the above categories
  • Must have been in operation for at least two years prior to the application deadline
  • Must be able to demonstrate that the company's principal place of business has been in Ontario for at least one year prior to the deadline
  • Must be incorporated in Ontario or federally, or prepared to incorporate immediately if the application is successful
  • Must be in a sound financial position
  • Must be in good standing with Ontario Creates at the time of application submission
  • Minimum annual revenues over $125,000 from eligible music business activities
  • Requests are capped at 40% of the company's two-year average annual revenue (NEW for 2026-27), to a maximum of $125,000 per cycle
  • Must provide matching contributions (OMIF covers up to 50% of eligible costs)
  • Must not have received $250,000 cumulative OMIF MCD support in the most recent three consecutive program years
  • Two years of financial statements required; dated within 6 months of fiscal year-end
Provinces
Ontario
Industries
Music Arts Culture Creative Industries
Business Stage
Growth Expansion Established

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Moderate
Competition
Moderate
First-Timer
Not rated

Funding Details

Amount
Eligible applicants may request up to 40% of their two-year average annual revenue, to a maximum of $125,000 per funding cycle and $250,000 over three consecutive cycles; OMIF covers up to 50% of eligible activity costs
Type
Grant
Level
Provincial
Co-Funding
Up to 50% of eligible costs
Deadline
September 10, 2026 (Intake 2 — 2026-27); Intake 1 was April 23, 2026

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Competition
Moderate
Deadline
Sep 10, 2026
Approval
Moderate
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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How to Win

Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like

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Insider Tip

Two caps bind, and the newer one usually binds first: your request cannot exceed 40% of your two-year average annual revenue (new for 2026-27), and OMIF cannot exceed 50% of eligible activity costs. Work out both numbers before you scope activities. The rolling three-year cap of $250,000 means pacing requests across program years rather than maxing out in year one. For first-time applicants, contact OMO at [email protected] at least two weeks before deadline for a pre-submission consultation. The ineligibility of capital expenditures is strict: you cannot claim equipment purchases, only amortization. If you're requesting $50K+, a business plan is mandatory. Diversity in your artist roster is explicitly an evaluation criterion — document it.

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Success Profile

An Ontario-based domestic record label, music publisher, or music management company with revenues between $125,000 and $1,000,000 that is actively investing in recording, artist development, and roster expansion. Strong candidates have 3+ signed artists or writers, a track record of commercial or critically recognized releases, and a clear plan for growing their roster's revenues over the next 12-24 months.

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Evaluation Criteria

Applications are assessed against OMIF Music Company Development objectives including: financial health and sustainability of the company, quality and diversity of the artist roster, track record in discovering and developing talent, measurable outcomes and return on investment, contribution to job creation in Ontario's music sector, plans for enhancing diversity within the company and roster, and overall strength of the business plan (for $50K+ requests).

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Application Playbook

Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses

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Application Steps

1 Register on the Ontario Creates Online Application Portal Create or log into your account at apply.ontariocreates.ca — the Intake 2 portal opened the week of July 27, 2026. First-time applicants must also contact [email protected] at least two weeks before the deadline.
2 Prepare financial statements and verify eligibility Confirm revenues exceed $125,000, that you have been in operation for at least two years and your principal place of business has been in Ontario for at least one year before the deadline, and that you are in good standing with Ontario Creates. Gather two years of financial statements (dated within 6 months of fiscal year-end). Verify your rolling three-year OMIF MCD total does not already reach $250,000.
3 Size your request, then define eligible activities Calculate 40% of your two-year average annual revenue — that is your request ceiling (to a maximum of $125,000). Then, using Ontario Creates' template, list specific eligible activities (artist signings, recording projects, capacity building), their costs, and the matching contribution you are providing, ensuring OMIF does not exceed 50% of total eligible costs.
4 Draft business plan (if requesting $50,000+) Prepare a business plan that demonstrates your company's growth trajectory, roster strategy, revenue projections, and measurable outcomes for the funded period. Include key personnel profiles.
5 Submit application by September 10, 2026 (5:00 PM ET) Submit all materials through the Online Application Portal before the Intake 2 deadline. Include the Applicant Affidavit. Activities must fall within August 1, 2026 – January 15, 2028.
6 Assessment, grant agreement, and reporting Ontario Creates notifies applicants approximately 3-4 months post-deadline. Successful applicants execute a grant agreement, receive advance payment, complete activities, and submit a final report within 90 days of the activity window closing.

Required Documents 8

✓ Application submitted through Ontario Creates Online Application Portal (apply.ontariocreates.ca)
✓ Two years of financial statements (audited or reviewed, dated within 6 months of fiscal year-end)
✓ Activity budget using Ontario Creates' provided template
✓ Business plan required for requests of $50,000 or more
✓ Artist roster and signed acts documentation
✓ Key personnel profiles
✓ Applicant Affidavit
✓ Description of eligible activities with measurable outcomes

Eligible Expenses 9

  • Artist roster expansion (signing, developing, and supporting new artists)
  • Professional recording and music production costs (studio, mixing, mastering)
  • Music publishing administration and catalog development
  • Artist management activities (career development, booking, marketing support)
  • Domestic business travel for eligible activities
  • Amortization of equipment (capital equipment itself is ineligible — only amortization)
  • Staff and contractor costs directly related to eligible activities
  • Marketing and promotion for domestic releases and artist campaigns
  • Business capacity enhancement activities (systems, tools, professional development)

Ineligible Expenses 6

  • International business travel
  • Capital equipment purchases (equipment itself — only amortization is eligible)
  • Recoverable taxes (GST/HST)
  • Volunteer time as in-kind contribution
  • Activities outside the approved eligible activity window
  • Costs not directly related to eligible business activities (general overhead)

Intake Periods

Two intakes per program year. Intake 1: typically April (April 23, 2026 for 2026-27). Intake 2: typically September (September 10, 2026 for 2026-27), with the portal opening the week of July 27, 2026.

Deadline Notes

Two intakes per program year. 2026-27 Intake 1: April 23, 2026 (activity period April 1, 2026 – August 31, 2027). Intake 2: September 10, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET (activity period August 1, 2026 – January 15, 2028). Intake 2 opened the week of July 27, 2026 and is open now. First-time applicants should contact OMO at least two weeks before the deadline.

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Ineligible Organizations

  • Companies with revenues at or below $125,000 annually
  • Companies in operation for less than two years at the application deadline
  • Companies whose principal place of business has not been in Ontario for at least one year before the deadline
  • Companies not in good standing with Ontario Creates
  • Organizations not based in Ontario
  • Individual artists (the stream funds companies, not individual artists — artists apply through Music Creation)
  • Companies that have already received $250,000 in OMIF MCD support in the most recent three consecutive program years
  • Government bodies
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Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

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Compatible Programs

FACTOR (Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings) Canada Music Fund (CMF) — Music Entrepreneur Component Export Development Canada (EDC) — Export Financing
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Medium Risk

If funded activities are not completed as described, or actual expenditures fall significantly below the approved budget, Ontario Creates may require repayment of all or part of the grant. Unused funds are always returned.

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How Ontario Creates — OMIF Music Company Devel... Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

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Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
Ontario Creates — OMIF Music Company ... Eligible applicants may request up... Moderate Reimbursement September 10, 2026...
FACTOR — Canada Music Fund (Artist Pr... Up to $67,500 Moderate Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Multiple annual intake...
Creative Industries Funding Varies Moderate Reimbursement Ongoing (multiple...
SSHRC Partnerships Up to $2.5M Hard Advance Payment Partnership Grants:...
Creative Export Canada Up to $2,500,000 Hard Varies Annual Calls

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about Ontario Creates — OMIF Music Company Devel...

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What companies are eligible — do I need to be a registered label?
Domestic record labels, multinational record labels, domestic music publishers, and domestic music management companies are all eligible. You can also qualify if you derive revenue from any combination of these (e.g., a company that both manages artists and operates a small label). You must have been in operation for at least two years, with your principal place of business in Ontario for at least a year before the deadline.
How much can I actually request?
New for 2026-27: up to 40% of your two-year average annual revenue, to a maximum of $125,000 per cycle. A company averaging $300,000 in revenue can request at most $120,000; one averaging $150,000 can request at most $60,000. OMIF still cannot exceed 50% of your eligible activity costs.
What is the rolling three-year cap?
In any consecutive three-year period, a company cannot receive more than $250,000 total from OMIF MCD. For example: $100K in 2024-25 + $100K in 2025-26 = only $50K available in 2026-27.
Can I include international touring in my budget?
No — international business travel is explicitly ineligible. Domestic travel is eligible. For international development, explore FACTOR's Global Market Development and OMIF's separate Global Market Development stream.
I'm just below the $125K revenue threshold. Can I still apply?
No — the minimum revenue threshold is a hard gate: revenues must be OVER $125,000 from eligible music business activities. Companies at or below that should look at Music Creation or, if they're very small, the Music Futures stream (designed for companies with revenues from $25K to $125K).
Why do applications fail?
Most common reasons: revenues too low, under two years in operation, a request exceeding 40% of two-year average revenue, rolling three-year cap already reached, insufficient matching contribution making the OMIF share exceed 50%, weak or non-measurable outcomes, and capital equipment costs included as eligible expenses.

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