Creative BC | Video Games Business Development

Description

The Video Games Business Development Program is a partnership between Creative BC and Canada Media Fund (CMF) designed to support the success and growth of B.C.-based game studios. Applying companies must have a significant track record of production in the province, and proposals must be business-focused with plans for ongoing content production and capacity building. These plans must be achievable, appropriately resourced, and structured to obtain the best economic outcomes from public funding.

Video Games Business Development Program Guidelines 2025/26 The Video Games Business Development Program is a partnership between Creative BC and Canada Media Fund (CMF) designed to open new funding opportunities to support the success and growth of B.C.-based video game companies. Applicants must have a significant track record of video game production in the province, and proposals must be business-focused with plans for ongoing content production and capacity building. 

These plans must be achievable, appropriately resourced, and structured to obtain the best economic outcomes from public funding.

 Financial support will be non-repayable. 

Maximum request per application: up to $200,000 Overall Funding Envelope Available: $1,000,000 

Decision Process: Competitive, determined by an external advisory panel. 

Deadline to Apply: October 1, 2025 Aims + 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. Applicant Eligibility 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. Funding Eligibility 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 these criteria:

 

1. Mid-level and experienced video game companies, defined as having: a. published two (2) previous owned and controlled commercial titles made available for purchase or download through various retail platforms (not including prototype/demos, game jams, DLCs/expansion packs, or work for hire); AND b. $500,000 average annual business expenditures, confirmed by certified financial records; 

OR 2. 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. Ownership is defined as not merely having an equity stake, but also an executive leadership role in the company with creative, finance and business decision making authority. 

Funding is intended for companies whose primary business is developing video games. Companies whose primary business has been other forms of interactive or digital media such as websites, mobile applications, interactive/immersive projects, and software applications that are not readily and easily identifiable as games and do not meet the criteria above will not be eligible. Interested companies can be producing any number of titles, at various stages.