CMF announces $5 million Business Development Program pilot and second Indigenous Company Impact Support round

The Canada Media Fund (CMF) announced two programs on September 23: a Business Development Program and a second iteration of its Indigenous Company Impact Support.

According to the CMF, the Business Development Program is a $5 million pilot for for-profit, Canadian-controlled companies whose primary business is producing linear or interactive digital media content, incorporated for at least five years. Tracks are set by total consolidated revenues over the past five years, as defined in the program guidelines. Growth ($250,000 to $999,999) offers up to $100,000 that is not repaid; Accelerate ($1,000,000 to $9,999,999) offers up to $300,000 as a recoupable investment. Either track pays the lesser of 75% of eligible costs or the track maximum. Applications open November 10, 2026.

The CMF describes the Indigenous Company Impact Support as one-time funding of up to $50,000 for Indigenous-owned and controlled companies that have made interactive, digital and emergent media. Companies that received funding from eligible CMF or Indigenous Screen Office programs from 2021 to 2026 will be invited to apply, with applications due October 29, 2026.

In research released with the announcement, Beyond Project Funding, 92% of respondents in the CMF’s own survey of Canadian TV and interactive digital media companies said they would apply, or were unsure but open to the idea, for a recoupment-based business development program.