2025/26 Program Overview
- When: November 2025 – March 2026, Kickoff Session is on November 20, 2025 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: $500 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
- 1-2 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
Selection Criteria
Applicants must fulfill the following criteria:
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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.
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Participants must be from an Ontario studio.
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Participants must have a $0 – $1.5M budget Ask from publishers/investors, and ideally below $1M.
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Participants should have a playable build ready, even if it’s only an early prototype that showcases the core USP
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Participants should have some form of a pitch deck ready as a starting point
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Participants should not plan release before Q3 2026, but preferably 2027 or beyond, otherwise it’s not interesting anymore for publishers/investors by the time Representing Games reaches out in February.
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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.
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Participants must hold a senior leadership position in their organization (ie. Founder, executive).
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Leaders of this company must demonstrate their commitment to business growth and sustainability.
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Candidates who are under-represented members of the community (ie. BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, and women) will receive extra consideration and priority.
Expectations and Time Commitment
Program participants are expected to:
- Pay the program fee of $500 CAD +HST (IO members) or $899 +HST (Non-members). Interactive Ontario annual Build Tier Membership can be purchased for $500 CAD +HST.
- Attend a virtual program launch meeting on November 20, 2025 at 10 – 11 am ET, followed by a one-on-one session with Representing Games with up to three key representatives from your studio (e.g., Founders, executives).
- Complete any assigned tasks throughout the program duration.
- Respond promptly to all email communications with Representing Games.
- Provide feedback to IO by completing a post-program survey.
- All participants are required to adhere to IO’s Code of Conduct.
Who is leading this initiative?
Disclaimer
Interactive Ontario (“IO”) facilitates business opportunities through the Access to Publishers/Investors Program (“Program”) delivered by MeetToMatch BV (“MeetToMatch”). IO is not a party to, nor does it supervise, the relationship between MeetToMatch and selected participating studios (“Participants”). All advice, guidance, and information shared by MeetToMatch are provided in their own capacity for educational and informational purposes only, and do not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice unless explicitly stated in writing by the MeetToMatch. IO makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any information provided by MeetToMatch. To the fullest extent permitted by law, IO disclaims all liability for any loss, damage, or claim arising from participation in the Program and Participants agree to release and hold IO harmless from any such liability. This disclaimer is governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.
