Access to Publishers/Investors Program - November 2024 - March 2025. Applications close November 4th at 9am ET.

Access to Publishers/Investors Program

Interactive Ontario’s ISB Access to Publishers/Investors Program is a four-month virtual program that provides Ontario video game/XR studios with valuable business introductions, sales and export opportunities, and the potential to expand sales into international markets and/or develop international business networks. The program’s primary goal is to provide each participant with personalized introductions to five carefully selected international publishers/investors. In addition, all participating studios will benefit from a thorough review of their pitch materials, along with constructive feedback to help refine and strengthen their presentations prior to meeting with publishers/investors.
  • When: November 2024 – March 2025, Kickoff Session is on November 20, 2024 at 10 – 11 am ET
  • Where: Virtual
  • Who: Independent Ontario video game companies (additional criteria below). Up to two leading members from each studio to participate in this program (ie. Founders, Managers, or Leads).
  • Price:  $350 CAD + HST (IO Members) or $899 CAD + HST (Non-members).

Program Offerings

  • 45-min kick-off presentation with all participating studios
  • Game, pitch material, and key information requesting and organizing from the participating studios
  • Minimum 1-hour pitch review providing written feedback, tips, and guidelines to improve
  • 1-hour one-on-one session to discuss feedback, potential partners, plus other topics
  • Identifying potential partners for participating studios with Representing Games
  • Representing Games to outreach to and communicate with potential partners
  • Communication with participating studios through email and Google Docs to inform them of potential partner
    responses
  • Setting up connections between participating studios and interested potential partners
  • Representing Games to provide guidelines and tips on the follow-up process

Who is leading this initiative?

This program will be led by Klaas van der Stroom of Representing Games, a division of MeetToMatch. Klaas is co-creator of- and business developer at Representing Games, the agency label of MeetToMatch. Representing Games started in 2020 as a side activity and was born out of studios, publishers, and governments reaching out to MeetToMatch requesting active support to help set them up with connections to other companies in the entertainment games industry to secure deals and partnerships. Klaas is responsible for building Representing Games into a separate business unit and supporting today’s clients mainly by providing pitch & build-related advice, establishing connections between developers and publishers & investors, and providing general consultancy & guidance along the way.
Deadline to apply: November 4, 2024 at 9:00 am ET. Spots are limited to a maximum of 5 participating studios. Decisions on the final selected participants will be made by IO and notifications will be sent by November 8, 2024.

Selection Criteria

Applicants must fulfill the following criteria:

  • Participants must be developing an entertainment video game for PC/Console (No web3, no mobile). VR-only Games might be considered but will not be prioritized over PC/Console.

  • Participants must be from an Ontario studio.

  • Participants must have a $0 – $1.5M budget Ask from publishers/investors, and ideally below $1M.

  • Participants should have a playable build ready, even if it’s only an early prototype that showcases the core USP

  • Participants should have some form of a pitch deck ready as a starting point

  • Participants should not plan release before Q3 2025, but preferably 2026 or beyond, otherwise it’s not interesting anymore for publishers/investors by the time Representing Games reaches out in February.

  • Preference will be given to founder(s) that have shipped at least one game as an individual, or the studio has shipped at least one game.

  • Participants must hold a senior leadership position in their organization (ie. Founder, executive).

  • Leaders of this company must demonstrate their commitment to business growth and sustainability.

  • Candidates who are under-represented members of the community (ie. BIPOC,  2SLGBTQIA+, and women) will receive extra consideration and priority.