Canada Media Fund: Experimental Stream
Receive up to $15k to $1.5M in Government Funding.
The Canada Media Fund: Experimental Stream supports software conceptualization, prototyping, production, and marketing projects. Through the program, software developers can turn ideas into functional products and repay project costs once the project’s results can be commercialized. By offsetting a portion of upfront costs, companies can advance their platform’s commercial readiness, launch their product, then repay the balance of Canada Media Fund’s investment as product revenues are generated.
800+
Annual Funding Applications Supported
Apply for This Funding Program
Give your application the best chance of approval. Ryan supports the writing of applications for more than 100 Canadian federal and provincial government grants, tax credits, and no-interest loan programs.
Amount of Funding
Stream 1: Media Conceptualization Projects
Software developers may receive up to 75% of eligible project expenses to a maximum $15,000 in interactive digital media funding.
Stream 2: Media Prototyping Projects
Interactive digital media developers may receive up to 75% of expenses to a maximum $250,000 in software funding.
Stream 3: Media Innovation (Production, Marketing, and Promotion) Projects
Digital media developers may receive up to 75% of eligible expenses to a maximum $1,500,000.
Stream 4: Accelerator Partnership Program (A2P)
Digital media producers may access up to $30,000 in grants for projects related to mentorship, market and capital.
Eligible Applicants
To be eligible for the Canada Media Fund Experimental Stream, applicants must be either:
- A Canadian-controlled for-profit company with its head office in Canada; or
- A Canadian Radio-television & Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) licensed public or private Canadian broadcaster.
Eligible Activities
Project Eligibility Eligible Canada Media Fund Experimental Stream projects must:
- Contain digital media content and/or application software that is innovative, interactive, and is connected to the Canadian cultural sector;
- Be produced in Canada with at least 50-75% of project costs incurred in Canada; and
- Remain under Canadian ownership.
This includes projects such as:
- Video games (PC, console, handheld console, mobile or other platforms);
- Mobile applications;
- Web 2.0 or higher applications;
- Software applications with a connection to the Canadian cultural sector; and
- Other projects containing audio-visual content and significant user interactivity.
Ineligible Project Types Some types of projects that cannot receive support through the CMF Experimental Stream include, but are not limited to:
- Film and television projects;
- System software;
- Products with a specific corporate, industrial or promotional focus;
- Curriculum-based products (including e-learning applications, software and technologies);
- Partial or split projects (and project portions) that cannot be exploited independently;
- Project adaptation from one platform to another;
- Catalogues or compilations of repurposed material, presented without benefit of new, value-added original content; and
- Casino type games.
Expense Eligibility Up to 75% of expenses may be provided through the Canada Media Fund: Experimental Stream. This includes:
- Salaries, benefits, and wages for employees directly responsible for the project;
- Contractors;
- Technology infrastructure (hardware and software);
- Making content accessible online, including copyright clearance, documentation, design and development, translation costs;
- Research and preparation of content;
- Project audit fees;
- Technical and administration expenses; and
- Marketing and promotion costs.
Ineligible Expenses Unlike the project-specific expenses mentioned above, core business operations or capital expenditures will not be eligible for funding. This includes:
- Rent;
- Real estate purchases; and
- Maintenance costs.
Program Deadline
Speak with a member of our team to find the latest intake period info for this program or subscribe to our newsletter to be notified.
Averaging of
Time Saving
95%
throughout the application process
Apply for Funding
Successfully applying for the right funding program at the right time, focusing on the right topics is no easy challenge. We provide an average 95% time savings to our clients, compared to businesses that apply for funding in-house.
Related News
-
Top Atlantic Canada Grant and Loan Funding Programs
Eligible businesses located in Atlantic Canada can access government grants and loans to support a wide range of strategic growth projects, including business expansion, capital investment, hiring and training, and research and development.
-
Top Canadian Government Funding Programs for Software Development in 2025
Develop software with help from government funding programs. Find small business grants for software development in Ontario and Canada.
-
Top Canadian Agriculture Grants for the Food and Beverage Industry
Canada’s food and beverage industry can benefit from many government funding programs to support strategic growth projects. Discover top grants and incentives.
-
Procurement Process Documents: Finding the Right Fit
What procurement docs does your business need? Learn more about Request for Information (RFI), Request for Proposal (RFP), and Request for Quotation (RFQ).
