There is a lot to learn when it comes to starting a business, especially within the ever-growing tech space. This is why the Ontario Creates Interactive Digital Media Fund has created the Futures Forward Startup Workshops by partnering with a variety of startup accelerators and entrepreneur hubs.
Every year in Canada, 1.35 million new tech startups are created and only 20% of startups succeed in the first year of operation. Programs like the IDM Fund: Futures Forward program help provide entrepreneurs with a necessary toolset for getting their small business off the ground.
Each workshop is listed below with a brief introduction to who the providers are and when their course is offered.
Entrepreneur and Startup Courses
The Ontario Creates IDM Fund: Futures Forward program offers courses administered by the following partners to early-stage screen-based companies to help them accelerate their knowledge acquisition and enhance their competitiveness:
- Hand Eye Society – A Toronto-based not-for-profit organization, Hand Eye Society supports and showcases videogames that are primarily created for creative expression.
- This workshop will be meeting each week on Saturday from 1:00PM – 4:00PM from October 22 – December 3, 2022.
- Interactive Ontario – The mission statement at Interactive Ontario is to promote economic, creative, and technological growth in the Interactive Digital Media (IDM) industry in Ontario.
- This workshop is an 8-week course that will run from October 19 – December 07, 2022.
- Women in Film and Television – Toronto – WIFT Toronto is a membership-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to educating and engaging screen-based media professionals at every stage of their careers.
- This program has not announced it’s 2022 course dates yet.
- Webseries Canada – Dedicated to supporting and mentoring independent web series and short series producers, WebSeries Canada is helping individuals level up their careers. They provide training and networking opportunities for producers and creators, as well as connecting them with collaborators, financiers, and distributors.
- This six-part online program will run over the course of October – November 2022 with the dates and times not yet announced. Registration must be completed before October 1, 2022.
- Amplifia Network – Through partnerships, they’ve become a hub where Black digital creators can access resources, discover other creators, and celebrate their successes. Additionally, they promote connections with the established Black digital content creator communities in the US and UK.
- Only 6-7 participants will be selected for this program, and the deadline to apply is Saturday October 8.
Eligible Businesses
The IDM Fund: Futures Forward program is intended for companies that do not currently meet the requirements of the Ontario Creates IDM Fund: Concept Definition and Production programs, specifically:
- New companies that are led by individuals with less than three years of professional IDM content creation experience (i.e., startup company led by recent graduates); or
- Established companies that are transitioning to IDM content creation from other industries (i.e., film company exploring digital-first content opportunities).
Eligible Attendees
Ontario Creates IDM Fund: Futures Forward consists of small group workshops. On conclusion of the program participants will:
- Have a business and marketing plan for their IDM product;
- Have an understanding of business operations (including corporate financial statements);
- Be able to effectively pitch a project to an investor, channel partner, or funding agency;
- Have an understanding of the budget and financing considerations for IDM projects;
- Be eligible for the Ontario Creates IDM Fund: Concept Definition and Production program; and
- Have the opportunity to submit an application to receive one of a limited number of grants to assist with product development.
Applications will be evaluated according to published criteria.
Startup Funding Programs
The Canadian federal and provincial governments offer a variety of grant, wage subsidy, tax credit, and loan programs towards a variety of business activates. With the majority of funding programs having strict eligibility criteria that favours small- to medium-sized businesses, we strongly recommend that startups and entrepreneurs consider applying for Hiring & Training programs.
To learn how to build a foundation for funding with your startup business, you can download a free copy of our Startup Checklist to ensure you’ll be ready to receive Canadian government grants, loans, and tax credits.