Interactive Digital Media (IDM) Fund – Production and Concept Definition

Amount:

$300,000.00

Type:

Grant

Description:

The Ontario Creates Interactive Digital Media (IDM) Fund – Concept Definition and Production programs provide IDM content creators with funding for high quality, original interactive digital media content projects that make a positive contribution to the Ontario economy. Concept Definition program supports for early-stage activities that will assist the applicant company in moving towards the production of a market-ready content project. Production program supports for the creation of a market-ready content project that will be released to end users.
The IDM Fund Production and Concept Definition programs consist of two streams: 1. Interactive Content (Non-Linear);
2. Video Content (Linear).

Comments on Funding:

Funding is a non-refundable contribution of up to 50% of eligible Ontario expenses as follows:
1. Concept Definition:
– Maximum request = $50,000
– Minimum request = $10,000
2. Production:
– Maximum request = $300,000
– Minimum request = $25,000

Deadline:

April 8, 2024 August 26, 2024

Eligibility:

Applicants must:
1. be accepted from established and new content creation companies;
2. ensure that they have experience and a track record that is relevant to the proposed project;
3. be encouraged to contact Ontario Creates to review eligibility criteria;
4. be required to contact Ontario Creates in advance to determine their eligibility before submitting an application (for new companies and first-time applicants);
5. be Ontario-based;
6. be Canadian-owned organizations;
7. be incorporated in Ontario or federally or prepared to incorporate immediately if their application is successful; 8. be in a sound financial position; and 9. be in good standing with Ontario Creates at time of application submission.
Established Companies applying for Video Content (Linear) stream must meet one of the following tests: 1. at least 25% of the company’s revenue OR 50% of the company’s expenditures over the previous two fiscal years comes from the creation of screen-based content projects; or
at least 50% of the company’s revenue over the previous two fiscal years comes from eligible publishing activities as described in the Ontario Creates Book Fund and Ontario Creates Magazine Fund Guidelines 2. have at least one owner or full-time employee with a minimum full-time equivalent of three years of experience in professional, commercialized linear video content creation; or . have a producer credit on at least one linear video content project that has been made publicly available to an audience including but not limited to: a complete season of a web series; a feature film or, a television property.
A company is considered new if it has less than a year of operation or it has not yet released a product. New companies applying for Video Content (Linear) stream must: 1. have an executive team with the experience and commitment required to deliver and commercialize the project including at least one owner or full-time employee with a minimum full-time equivalent of three years of experience in (1) professional, commercialized linear video content creation or (2) in the publishing industries, or have a producer credit on at least one linear video content project that has been made publicly available to an audience including but not limited to: a complete season of a web series; a feature film or, a television property. 2. be majority-owned by individuals that have a recent track record of working in Ontario; 3. be prepared to incorporate immediately if their application is successful; and 4. meet the relevant eligibility criteria for established companies on incorporation.
Established Companies applying for Interactive Content (Non-Linear) stream for must meet one of the following tests: 1. at least 25% of the company’s revenue OR 50% of the company’s expenditures over the previous two fiscal years comes from the creation of screen-based content projects; or at least 50% of the company’s revenue over the previous two fiscal years comes from eligible publishing activities as described in the Ontario Creates Book Fund and Ontario Creates Magazine Fund Guidelines; 2. have at least one owner or full-time employee with a minimum full-time equivalent of three years of experience in the creation of professional, commercialized content for interactive platforms, networks or devices.
A company is considered new if it has less than a year of operation or it has not yet released a product. New companies applying for Interactive Content (Non-Linear) stream must: 1. have an executive team including at least one owner or full-time employee with a minimum full-time equivalent of three years of experience (1) in the creation of professional, commercialized content for interactive platforms, networks or devices or (2) in the publishing industries; 2. be majority-owned by individuals that have a recent track record of working in Ontario;
3. be prepared to incorporate immediately if their application is successful; and 4. meet the relevant eligibility criteria for established companies on incorporation.

Application Steps:

1. All applications must be submitted via the Ontario Creates Online Application Portal (OAP). Applications submitted by any other method will not be accepted.
2. Applicants are strongly encouraged to start the application process well in advance of the deadline in case technical support is required.
3. Prior to starting an application, the applicant’s company’s corporate information must be registered with the OAP. If they do not have a user account on OAP, please go to https://apply.ontariocreates.ca and click on “Register”.
4. If their company is registered, the Ontario Creates IDM Fund program deadline will appear in your dashboard. To start the application, click on “Start new application” and follow the onscreen directions to access the application form.
5. If applicants encounter problems setting up your company’s corporate information, you can email applyhelp@ontariocreates.ca for assistance. This email address can also be used for any technical questions you have about the OAP.

Documentation Needed:

No specific documentation has been identified.

Other Things to Note:

Maurice

About the author

Maurice

Maurice (Moe) Muise learned the ins-and-outs of government while an employee of the Government of Canada in Ottawa for 10 years. His current focus is helping small businesses in Canada to identify and maximize funding to grow their business.

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