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🗞️ The digital media sector has been white-knuckling it in Vancouver this week. In good news, the B.C. Budget 2025 announced a boost to the interactive digital media tax credit from 17.5 percent to 25 percent, and that it will make the credit permanent. Plus, the BC Arts Council and Creative BC have just invested in 14 new videogame, VR, and animation projects (scroll down to “funding and deals” to read more.) That said, Disney laid off a number of Vancouver employees at its studios (check out the “in other news” section), and the jury is out on whether Dapper Labs’ Top Shot has a future (read our “ideas and insights” feature).
And amid all that, we’ve written a whole lot about what business associations think of the B.C. Budget (and its response to the tariffs), how that links to a $20 million investment in foodtech, and B.C founders’ practical tips for success. Oh, and New Ventures BC Competition applications are now open.
-Kate Wilson, managing editor
🗞️ FROM VTJ
Read more at vantechjournal.com
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FUNDING & DEALS
The BC Arts Council and Creative BC have announced the recipients of their annual Interactive Fund partnership. This year, the program will support 14 B.C. companies with $600,000 to develop original interactive digital media and software projects that present clear connections between art and technology. Those creations include equity-focused storytelling apps, immersive gallery installations, a cross-media AR-integrated board game, and interactive touch board instruments.
Significantly, the Fund acknowledges that Indigenous, Black, people of colour, 2SLGBTQIA+, women, non-binary, and people with disabilities face systemic barriers to raising money. Ninety-three percent of the funding for this project has been distributed to companies that have ownership from individuals who self-identify in one or more of those groups. That move comes at a time where business are rolling back DEI initiatives across the country.
🚨 Want all of the latest funding and deals announcements? VTJ members got it in their newsletter. Not a member? Fix that now.
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IN OTHER NEWS
In more news for the B.C. interactive community this week, Walt Disney Animation Studios has laid off some of its Vancouver workforce as the company reconfigures its streaming strategy. The amount of employees that have been let go has not been disclosed, though the entertainment giant has cut more than 8,000 roles across its full workforce since 2023, which is part of its efforts to slash annual costs by $7.5 billion.
The Vancouver animation studio, which opened in 2022, was set up to create long-form and special content for streaming. The team led development on Moana 2, which was initially planned as a series before being restructured into a feature. The film released theatrically last year, grossing more than $1 billion globally.
🚨 VTJ members got 12 more stories like these in their Morning Report newsletter. If you’re not already a member, fix that now.
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💡 IDEAS & INSIGHTS
At the height of the pandemic, Vancouver-based Dapper Labs’ NFT project Top Shot took the crypto world by storm. People paid as much as six-figures for the ability to buy and sell NBA highlights. Within months, the bubble burst.
At its genesis, Top Shot blended the enticing volatility of a dynamic market with the nostalgic pull of trading cards. The company, however, was soon subject to a landmark class-action lawsuit to determine whether or not its Top Shot moments counted as securities. After significant layoffs of nearly 30 percent of its workforce, the company settled the case for USD $4 million, with the condition that Dapper Labs can no longer claim that its NBA-themed NFTs are securities.
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👀 CAN’T MISS
March 19 | 🎟️ Tech Industry Social By VTJ x CBRE’s HTFG: Join the Vancouver Tech Journal team and our partners at CBRE's The High Technology Facilities Group (HTFG) for our next Tech Industry Social. As usual, your first drink is free, compliments of The High Technology Facilities Group and Hudson Pacific Properties! This event will bring together a collection of Vancouver tech industry founders and leaders for networking, deal-making, and just plain old catching up.
March 26 | 🎟️ #VTJTalks: SaaS 101: Boosting Revenue at Seed, Scale and Beyond: Scaling a SaaS business is a game of strategy — one that requires founders and investors to navigate pricing models, go-to-market motions, and sustainable growth tactics. Whether you're building your first software startup or scaling an established SaaS company, this session will provide practical insights to help you optimize revenue at every stage.
🚨 Remember: VTJ members get early access and 50% off all our events as well as exclusive gatherings. Don’t miss out — if you’re not already a member, fix that now.