Business Foundations

Who can apply

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:

1. Indigenous Peoples: First Nations (Status/Non-status), Métis, or Inuit
2. Black (or Afro-Canadian, including Black Caribbean, Black African and others from the African

Diaspora)

1. People of Colour (this may include Arab, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Latin American,

South Asian, Southeast Asian, West Asian, and people of mixed ancestry)

1. People living with one or more Disabilities (including those who live with chronic illness or are

neurodivergent)

1. People who are Deaf/deaf or hard of hearing
2. 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.

Other Eligibility Information

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:

1. Doing business in the music industry
2. Working with one or more artists or clients
3. Headquartered or residing in B.C. and filing B.C. tax returns if required.

For previous recipients:

1. Final Reports: If an applicant has previously received funding through the Business

Foundation program, all final reports must be submitted by March 1, 2026, to be eligible for this program. Grant recipients from 2024/25 who have completed their projects are encouraged to submit final reports as soon as possible, as final reports for returning applicants will be reviewed before 2026/27 grants are issued.

1. Good Standing: The principals, directors, officers, shareholders and owners of

all businesses applying must be in good standing with Creative BC. This means the applicant is not in default with respect to prior grants, and there are no outstanding amounts owed to Creative BC.

3. Can temporary residents apply for the Business Foundations program?

Yes, temporary residents are eligible to apply if the business is headquartered, or the owner(s) is residing in B.C., files B.C. tax returns (if required) and has a valid social insurance number.