AcceleratiON
$20,000
Accelerator
Description:
As an economic development agency, Ontario Creates’ priority is to support the growth and development of business entities that are focused on driving commercial growth and creating job opportunities within the province of Ontario. 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
Comments on Funding:
November 13th 2025 at 5:00 PM ET
Eligibility:
Applicants must be:
1. Self-identifying Black- and Indigenous-owned businesses that generate the majority
of their revenue from music-based activities;*
2. Incorporated or a registered business (with a Master Business Licence):
3. In operation for a minimum of one year; and
4. A legal resident of Canada, and must have been a resident of Ontario for at least one
year at the time of application.
Application Steps:
Applicants must:
1. Submit their applications electronically through the Ontario Creates
Online Application Portal (OAP) at https://apply.ontariocreates.ca.
1. Applicants that do not have a user account on OAP should go
to https://apply.ontariocreates.ca/ and click on “Register.” For assistance, please see
the “OAP Quick Start Guide”.
3. For technical assistance, please contact the OAP Helpdesk
at applyhelp@ontariocreates.ca.
4. The application can be worked on over time and information can be saved as it is
entered. Once saved, the applicant can go back to edit and/or add information up
until the time when the application is actually submitted.
5. We strongly encourage applicants to attend information session and/or contact the Ontario Music Office before applying, and after thoroughly reviewing the program guidelines. The AcceleratiON Program Coordinator may be reached at acceleratiON@ontariocreates.ca.
Documentation Needed:
Applicants must submit:
1. Articles of Incorporation or Master Business Licence
2. Budget template (provided by Ontario Creates, which will include guidance on
eligible and ineligible costs)
3. Financial statements (Mandatory for requests of more than $10,000. Notice-to Reader statements are preferred, but internally-prepared profit & loss statements will be accepted.)
4. At least three different types of the following pieces of supporting documentation:
a. Resumes/CVs of founders or key management personnel
b. marketing materials/press clippings
c. social media metrics (to demonstrate audience reach/growth potential)
d. letters of support
e. corporate slide deck or business model canvas
f. business/marketing/strategic plan
g. Back up documentation to support the proposed activity costs (e.g.
supplier quotes) and/or to support the financing of the proposed activities (e.g. bank statements, letters of confirmation from
applications to other funding bodies).
Other Things to Note:
About the author
Maurice
