The ESIO is providing this special, one-time Business Development Grant to assist with general operating costs of organizations or individuals. The goal of the grant is to support organizations and individuals in furthering their business and professional development. Example activities include incorporation, training, or development of a business plan. Applicants can apply for funding of 75% of the costs, up to a maximum of $5,000.

Eligibility

The Business Development Grant is available to those primarily operating in the creation of screen media projects, including:

  • enterprises with a principal office in the Edmonton region that have been resident and operational for a minimum of 6 months; or,
  • individuals with professional experience or expertise who have been resident in the Edmonton region for a minimum of 6 months.

Applicants must be in good standing with the ESIO and the City of Edmonton.

Exceptions may be considered, please contact [email protected] to discuss prior to completing the application.

ELIGIBLE

  • Third party consultation services (for example, legal fees)
  • Training, skills development
  • Software
  • Purchase of document templates
  • Equipment
  • Membership in industry organization (first year of membership only)
  • Marketing, including graphic design, printing and web

INELIGIBLE

  • Project costs
  • Travel and events primarily related to advancing a project (eg. pitching and sales)
  • Employee salaries, wages and benefits
  • Contingency, overhead
  • Alcohol and controlled substances
  • Prepaid cards
  • GST will not be reimbursed if the applicant has a GST number
  • Initiatives/costs that have received funding or a commitment for funding from the ESIO or another source

Other costs may be considered, subject to pre-approval. Contact [email protected] to discuss prior to completing the application. 

Only arms-length, third-party costs are eligible. 

Only costs incurred after application submission and before May 31, 2025, will be eligible.

Application Information

Applicants must submit a separate application form for each initiative. Priority will be given to applications that best align with the program goals. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Application Requirements

Information required for the application form:

  • Applicant contact information (company, phone, address, etc.)
  • Website and Social Media links (optional)
  • Business Activity Type
  • Business Description (for first time applicants; 500 character max)
  • Diversity and Inclusion (optional, 1000 characters max)
  • Initiative Information
    • Initiative Title
    • Initiative Description (1000 characters max)
    • Initiative Outcome (500 character max)
    • Impact to company/organization (500 character max)
    • Impact to Edmonton metro economy/ecosystem
    • Vendors (optional)
    • Timeline (start and end date)
  • Financials
    • Total Initiative Budget
    • Initiative Expenses (Description, Amount, Source)

This is a competitive process and the following general criteria will be used to assess funding requests:

  • Alignment to ESIO objectives
  • Application quality
  • Impact on applicant
  • Impact on local economy/ecosystem
  • Other criteria may also be considered

Process

  • All applications will first be reviewed for eligibility.
  • Eligible applications will then be assessed based on the criteria above.
  • Funding decisions will be made based on the available funding.
  • Applicants will be notified of the application status approximately one month after the closing date.

Based on a variety of factors, including the number of high-quality applications, the ESIO may provide partial funding.

If you have any questions or concerns about the program, eligibility, or the application process, please contact [email protected]. 

Ready to apply?

Applications open on Monday, October 7

Application Deadline: October 28, 2024, 11:59PM

FAQ

Applications are first reviewed to ensure they meet eligibility requirements. Those that are eligible are then assessed based on the following general criteria:

  • Alignment to ESIO objectives
  • Application quality
  • Impact on applicant
  • Impact on local economy/ecosystem
  • Other criteria may also be considered

This is a competitive process rather than a pass/fail score. Applications will be scored based on the criteria above and assessed against other applications. Due to limited funds and demand for funding, not all requests that meet the established criteria will be approved for funding. Applicants may receive full, partial or no funding.

No. Funding from this grant cannot be used to cover project costs. The funding is meant to cover costs related to operating your business or individual professional development.