Vancouver, B.C. (August 30, 2024) – Today, Creative BC and the Canada Media Fund (CMF) are proud to announce a new program that will invest $1,000,000 in grants of up to $200,000 to support the growth of video game businesses in British Columbia. Funding for these businesses will be available through the Video Games Business Development Program (the Program).  

This Program marks the launch of a pilot aimed at creating new funding opportunities to foster the success and growth of video game companies based in British Columbia. While studios in this province have achieved commercial success globally, this Program was created to establish domestic funding models. The Program will offer grants to B.C.-owned and controlled companies to develop their own creative Intellectual Property (IP), encouraging growth for mid-level and experienced studios beyond the constraints of project-by-project funding. 

The Program will support video game companies with a significant track record of production in the province, and proposals must be business-focused with plans for ongoing content production and capacity building. Companies applying to the Program must submit plans that must be achievable, appropriately resourced, and structured to obtain the best economic outcomes from public funding, as measured by audience reach and domestic and international market success.  

Under the Program, eligible applicants can apply for business development activities to support growing companies. These activities are not restricted to direct project costs, and can include promotion and marketing, user acquisition strategies, labour and personnel, technology, content and design, playtesting for quality assurance and usability, travel costs, foreign market expansion, consulting fees, and more.  

An evaluation panel of industry professionals representing the groups this program is intended to serve will be established by Creative BC and the CMF to determine successful projects based on business viability, impact, and additional criteria, as outlined in the program guidelines, which are now available online.

Learn more about the Video Games Business Development Program, eligibility criteria, and deadlines online at www.creativebc.com/video-games-business-development.  

This partnership is supported by the Province of British Columbia’s historic announcement made on April 19, 2023 of $3 million investment, over three-years to support innovation and growth for independent B.C.-owned interactive digital media companies through 2027.  

Media Contacts:
Lisa Escudero, Creative BC
media@creativebc.com 
+1 604-730-2235  

Maxime Ruel, CMF
mruel@cmf-fmc.ca