RFAs: Video Games Business Development Program (Canada)

Objectives

• Support B.C.-owned and -controlled companies developing their own creative IP.
• Encourage company growth for mid-level and experienced companies beyond project-by-project funding.

Funding Information

• Overall Funding Envelope Available: $1,000,000
• Maximum request per application: up to $200,000
• Recipients have 12 months to use the funding, with potential for extensions in extenuating circumstances.

Funding Criteria

• Applicants must show they have the experience, qualifications, and resources to successfully implement their proposed plan for the funding.
• Accordingly, the program is for either 1) Mid-level and experienced companies, or 2) New company startups having at least one owner with the required background, according to this criteria:
  • Mid-level and experienced video game companies, defined as having:
    • published two (2) previous owned and controlled commercial titles made available for purchase or download through various retail platforms (i.e. not including prototype/demos, game jams, or work for hire); and
    • $500,000 annual business expenditures, confirmed by certified financial records;
  • New company startups with one or more owners who previously held ownership positions at mid-level or experienced video game companies that meet the above criteria.

Eligible Applicants 

• Applicants must meet the following requirements to apply:
  • Be a for-profit company incorporated in British Columbia or Canada with its head office in British Columbia. (Note: Companies extra-provincially registered in B.C. are not eligible.)
  • Be Canadian-owned as defined in the Investment Canada Act and Canadian-controlled as determined for the purposes of Sections 26 to 28 of the Investment Canada Act.
  • The majority of the common interest voting shares of the company must be held by B.C. residents, defined as either a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident who has resided in B.C. for at least 200 of the 365 days prior to application and have filed income tax returns in B.C. for the taxation year prior to the application.
  • The primary business is the creation of video games for digital game platforms, including (but not limited to) PC, mobile, consoles, and VR. The majority of output should be content owned and controlled or optioned by the applicant.
  • Applicants and any related or associated parties must be in good standing with Creative BC and the CMF.

Evaluation Criteria

• The following criteria will be evaluated:
  • Company track record and overall strategic vision;
  • Clarity of Funding Request details (objectives, needs, and expected outcomes) and potential for positive impact on the video game sector in B.C.;
  • The stability and financial health of the company.

For more information, visit Creative BC.