AcceleratiON
The core objective of the AcceleratiON program is to invest in new and emerging Black- and Indigenous-owned music businesses that demonstrate high potential for economic and cultural impact.
Investment will be provided to successful applicants in the form of direct grants towards up to 100% of the total activity costs for budgets of $10,000 or less, and up to 75% for budgets of more than $10,000.
Offered by Ontario Creates
Amount
Up to $20,000
Minimum $2,500 and maximum $20,000 may be requested; direct grants towards up to 100% of the total activity costs for budgets of $10,000 or less, and up to 75% for budgets of more than $10,000
Quick eligibility check
Who can apply
Eligible applicants must be:
- Self-identifying Black- and Indigenous-owned businesses that generate the majority
of their revenue from music-based activities;
- Incorporated or a registered business (with a Master Business Licence);
- In operation for a minimum of one year; and
- A legal resident of Canada, and must have been a resident of Ontario for at least one
year at the time of application.
Self-Identification:
Black: people who trace their roots to Sub-Saharan Africa, including those with origins in Canada, the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America Indigenous: First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples For applicants with more than one owner, at least 50% of the ownership must identify as Black or Indigenous.
Examples of eligible music businesses include: record labels, music publishers, artist managers, concert promoters, festival presenters, booking agents, recording studios, music production businesses, podcasters & owners of original content platforms, music publicists, and music marketing businesses.
Artist-entrepreneurs (this may include producers) that are expanding their vision to incorporate any of the above business models by investing in other artists may also be considered.
About the funding
Funding amounts awarded may be smaller than the amount requested depending on program demand (number of applications received) and available funding
Investment will be provided to successful applicants in the form of direct grants towards up to 100% of the total activity costs for budgets of $10,000 or less, and up to 75% for budgets of more than $10,000
Eligible Activities & Costs
Business Development (e.g. HR capacity expansion, fees for professional development
Show all funding details
courses, business planning consultants, accounting and legal services
Creative Development (e.g. recording and production, content creation, production
costs for live music events
Marketing and Promotion (e.g. brand development, advertising, publicity
Strategic business travel and/or conference attendance
Operations (e.g. staffing, administrative and overhead costs
Note: capital expenditures (i.e. purchase of equipment, materials and/or software) and in-kind expenses may not exceed 10% of the total budget
Professional development activities run by not-for-profit entities (e.g. workshops, song camps, panel sessions, etc.) are not eligible for funding
All costs must be incurred in Ontario (except for marketing and business travel
Costs must be incurred between January 1, 2026, and December 31, 2026
Successful applicants will receive the following funding installments
70% upon funding approval
the remaining 30% following the approval of the recipient’s final report and all
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