Canadian government invests millions in these 12 Ontario companies

A dozen Ontario companies will collectively get millions in federal government funding as part of the Creative Export Canada Program's Export-Ready Stream.

The federal government announced on Friday that it would invest a collective $5.2 million in 23 companies across the country — including 12 based in Ontario — to support creative export projects that could inject export revenue into government coffers.

Of the total $5.2 million being allocated to companies nationwide, $2,825,500 of the funding went to Ontario-based companies.

Here are the 12 Ontario companies and the funding they will receive in the 2025–2026 fiscal year.

Alpaca House Canada Inc. (LATIERRA)

Project: Worldwide distribution of premium alpaca knitwear
$136,000

LATIERRA will establish seasonal showrooms for buyers from the United States, Japan, and France.

Apricotton Inc.

Project: Apricotton - U.S. Growth Phase 1 (E-commerce)
$237,000

Apricotton will launch an online shop and a United States Amazon storefront.

DC Canada Education Development (DCCED) Corp.

Project: Market Canadian Content to Southeast Asia
$59,000

DC Canada Education Publishing will expand into new markets across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

Kotn Inc.

Project: Kotn's 2025 U.K.-Export Project
$595,500

Fashion brand Kotn will use this funding boost to expand into the United Kingdom.

Lev Gleason Publications Inc.

Project: Captain Canuck 50th Anniversary U.S. Tour
$273,000

The publisher will use this funding to grow distributors and licenses to expand this Canadian-owned creative intellectual property in the United States market. 

LOFT Entertainment Inc.

Project: LOFT Entertainment X BIG FAMILY
$403,000

This songwriter- and producer-owned publishing label and management company will use its funding to release four label artists' new musical works in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe. 

Royal Ontario Museum

Project: Export of ROM Exhibit Design Product
$242,000

The Royal Ontario Museum will use its funding to promote four travelling exhibitions for potential placement in Australian, Singaporean and American museums.

SDP Entertainment Inc.

Project: A Thousand Cuts
$131,000

Sideways Dog Productions will use funding to market its mystery feature film, A Thousand Cuts, to markets including Germany, England, France, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.

Secret City Studio Inc.

Project: The Perfect Bite
$151,000

Secret City Studio's productions, "The Perfect Bite" and "The Wedding Party," will expand to the United Kingdom and the United States with this funding boost.

Underknown Inc.

Project: Underknown International FAST Growth
$231,500

Underknown's Popular Science channel aims to grow the viewership on English-language platforms in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and South Africa with this funding boost.

University Of Toronto Press

Project: Global Reach: Expanding Canadian Scholarly eBooks
$215,000

U of T Press aims to expand into academic libraries and consortia in Latin America and Asia.

Vérité Films

Project:  Jeremy and Jazzy Live USA
$152,000

Vérité Films will bring touring children's stage show, "Jeremy and Jazzy Live USA," to the United States, with plans to expand into the New York state market.