Canada invests in 23 Canadian creative companies to help them reach global success
News release
TORONTO, November 28, 2025
At a time when Canada is facing rapid changes and uncertainty, and as the trading system that powered our country’s prosperity for decades is being reshaped, the Government of Canada is choosing to invest in our creative industries, businesses and workers.
Chi Nguyen, Member of Parliament (Spadina–Harbourfront), announced today a total investment of $5.2 million for 23 recipients through the Creative Export Canada Program’s Export-Ready Stream. Ms. Nguyen made the announcement at the Kotn brand apparel and home goods store in Toronto on behalf of the Government of Canada. She also met with LOFT Entertainment and eight other Toronto-based recipients at the event.
Kotn will receive $595,500 in funding to build brand awareness, generate new export revenue, and introduce Canadian, sustainability-driven fashion in the United Kingdom. The company targets urban Gen Z and millennial consumers who prioritize ethical production, timeless design, and transparency. This project represents Kotn’s first major international growth initiative outside of North America.
LOFT Entertainment will receive $403,000 to build a partnership with BIG FAMILY—a songwriter- and producer-owned publishing label, and management company based in Los Angeles and London—to help release four label artists’ new musical works in the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe. This partnership will be the company’s first foray into publishing and record label operations.
This eighth annual cohort of the Export-Ready Stream also supports 21 other innovative projects by businesses and organizations in Toronto and across Canada. This includes support for 10 creative businesses and organizations from equity-deserving communities. See the attached backgrounder for funding details of the selected projects.
Creative Export Canada’s Export-Ready Stream provides support to Canadian companies and organizations for projects which will help them to grow, generate export revenues and reach new markets worldwide. The program focusses on increasing the export profits of Canada’s creative industries in the artistic craft, audiovisual, design, music, performing arts, publishing, visual art, and interactive digital media sectors.
These investments will help strengthen Canada’s economy and sovereignty, building on our position as the second-best country in the G20 for doing business with the world over the next five years.
Quotes
“Toronto has so much to offer on the world’s creative export stage. By supporting our local businesses, we are not only supporting our community’s economy; we are also helping showcase what Canada has to offer by putting our greatest talents front and centre for the whole world to see. I hope this investment gives them the support to continue to thrive, grow, and diversify their international markets.”
—Chi Nguyen, Member of Parliament (Spadina–Harbourfront)
“Kotn’s expansion into the United Kingdom marks a major milestone for our brand and for the Canadian creative community that powers it. With support from the Creative Export Canada program, we’re able to bring our sustainability-first model, rooted in full supply-chain transparency and natural fibres, to one of the world’s most forward-thinking fashion markets. For the 9th year in a row, this Black Friday weekend, instead of going on sale, we’re donating 100 percent of sales, up to $100,000, towards building two new primary schools in the Nile Delta and Faiyum regions. To date, we’ve built 23 schools. With your help, we’ll build two more this Black Friday.”
—Paula Sapinoso, Director-Marketing, Kotn
Quick facts
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The Creative Export Canada program has an annual budget of $33 million over three years, from 2023 to 2026.
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The Export-Ready Stream invests in export-ready projects that generate export revenues and help Canadian creative industries reach more people around the world. Since its launch in 2018, it has invested more than $64.6 million in 166 projects from more than 134 creative industry companies and organizations.
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Last June, the Government of Canada completed a successful creative industries trade mission to South Korea and Japan, leading a multi-sector delegation of more than 40 Canadian companies and organizations with strong export potential to expand their networks and develop new creative partnerships in these markets.
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Contacts
For more information (media only), please contact:
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
media@pch.gc.ca