Open Call: Business Foundations Program (Canada)

The City of Vancouver has partnered with Creative BC to deliver these funds.

Priorities

• Increase access to funding and reduce financial risk for those who experience barriers
• Invest in the development of growing music businesses
• Enhance the capacity of entrepreneurs to thrive in B.C.’s music industry
• Foster new and existing networks, capacity, and infrastructure for B.C.’s vibrant and diverse music communities.

Funding Information

• Grant Amounts: $2,000 – $10,000, funding up to 100% of expenses.
• This program funds activities and related expenses incurred between January 1, 2025, and March 1, 2026. Applicants can submit one application per deadline.
• Successful applicants will receive a 75% advance payment upon signing a funding agreement, and the remaining funds after completion and review of the final report.

Eligible Activities 

• This program funds business operations and development activities to help your business sustain and grow. Examples of eligible expenses include:
  • Salaries, benefits, and fees for business owners, staff, and contractors
  • Operational expenses, including rent, utilities, bookkeeping, subscriptions
  • Core business activities, including live event production costs, content creation, master rights
  • Marketing and advertising
  • Training, mentorship fees, consultant fees
  • Development of policies, procedures, business plans
  • Equipment purchases, technology, health and safely costs, renovations and accessibility improvements
  • Grant writing fees up to $300 for applicants with self-declared disabilities or English language barriers
• Ineligible expenses include:
  • Expenses paid in cash, in-kind expenses or donated services
  • Receptions, mixers, networking events, luncheons, award shows, fundraisers, galas, and parties.
• Funding solely for conference fees and business travel is not eligible through this program (which includes travel to festivals, conferences, and general business meetings) but can be accessed through Music BC. Travel directly related to the project is eligible, and travel to and from courses or training will be considered.

Eligibility Criteria

• This program supports entrepreneurs and small businesses owned by people from systemically excluded groups in B.C.’s music industry, who face barriers to participation and have been underrepresented and underserved by funding programs. This program supports the following groups:
  • Indigenous Peoples: First Nations (Status/Non-status), Métis, or Inuit
  • Black (or Afro-Canadian, including Black Caribbean, Black African and others from the African Diaspora)
  • People of Colour (this may include Arab, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Latin American, South Asian, Southeast Asian, West Asian, and people of mixed ancestry)
  • People living with one or more Disabilities (including those who live with chronic illness or are neurodivergent)
  • People who are Deaf/deaf or hard of hearing
  • 2SLGBTQIA+ people: Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, non-binary and gender diverse.
• Majority ownership of the business (51% or more of the shares) must be held by an individual or a group of individuals who identify as one or more of the above groups.
• All business owners must individually complete a self-identification form to demonstrate eligibility for the program. Self-identification information collected in the application process is confidential, used for eligibility, and to contribute to aggregate statistics generated for the understanding, promotion, and growth of the music industry
• This program supports entrepreneurs and small businesses active in BC’s music industry, such as record labels, artist managers, live music presenters, recording studios, and other music-related companies. The intention of this program is to remove barriers to funding and encourage those new to funding to apply.
• Individuals (sole proprietors), companies (registered businesses), and not-for-profit organizations are eligible to apply and must be:
  • Doing business in the music industry
  • Working with one or more artists or clients
  • Headquartered or residing in B.C. and filing B.C. tax returns if required.

For more information, visit Creative BC.