New Canadian Government IP Funding Programs

Innovative Canadian companies can benefit from new government funding that can be used to fund the development and implementation of IP strategy and filings. It is not common for government programs to pay for IP filings and so, these programs can provide a significant advantage for Canadian companies.

IP ASSIST 

The IP Assist Program is a three-tiered program targeting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who qualify for support from the National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP). This program offers these SMEs access to direct IP education, planning, and action.

To become a client of IRAP, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be an incorporated SME operating in Canada.
• Employ fewer than 500 employees.
• Have the objective to grow through innovation.

IRAP will also assess the validity of the SME based on other variable criteria such as business opportunity, management and financial capabilities, potential to achieve expected outcomes, and plans to commercialize results.

The IP Assist program provides SMEs with access to IP professionals and is divided into 3 stages: Level 1 funding, which is meant to help increase IP Awareness, Level 2 funding, which is for development of the IP Strategy and Level 3 funding, which is for further development of Level 2 IP Strategy. 

More specifically, each stage will provide the following:

• Level 1 – Learning: This phase focuses on educating startups about IP rights and their relevance within the business and can include a one-to-one IP Awareness session to connect, support and guide the SME where they can provide industry-specific IP information and guidance to the SME. Level 1 engagement will often take the form of an IP awareness presentation.
• Level 2 – Planning: This phase is directed at helping the SME develop effective strategies using IP tools to support their business objectives. Examples of L2 work include performing IP mining, reviewing existing company IP policies, and conducting landscape or prior art searches.
• Level 3 – Acting: Building upon the groundwork laid in Level 2, this stage involves addressing special IP issues and needs. 

The IP Assist program is implemented by various different entities, including IPIC (IPIC will match SMEs to an IP expert in their specific industry) or directly via IRAP. SMEs can select their preferred IP practitioners outside of any IP expert recommended by the program administrators so long as they are a registered IPIC member and opted into the IP Assist program.

IP Assist funding availability may vary – your client’s Industrial Technology Advisor will be best able to guide your client on this process. Note that the funds from the IP Assist Program are not intended to cover IP filing and prosecution fees.

ElevateIP

ElevateIP recently launched and will be implemented through a series of Canadian Business Accelerators and Incubators (BAI). The goal of the program is to help companies at all stages of their IP development to foster and implement IP strategies. Companies will be able to access fundamental IP services – ranging from learning about all types of IP, beginning to develop an IP strategy, right through to implementing the IP strategy.

Various types of IP services can be funded through ElevateIP including patent, trademark, or copyright searching and/or filings. This funding will allow companies to develop and implement a proactive, holistic IP strategy.

For example, companies that are trying to develop a brand may request funding for trademark strategy development, due diligence searches or trademark filings.  This is particularly important for innovative companies making consumer-facing products or services.  Companies that are innovating may obtain advice on patent strategy, and can have significant portion of the fees associated with patentability searches and patent drafting and filing covered by the ElevateIP funding. 

The funding available to a company for developing the IP strategy and/or implementing the IP strategy totals $100,000, which is staggered between the IP strategy and implementation stages. Participants of ElevateIP can choose to work with their preferred IP practitioner or select from a pre-screened roster of IP practitioners.

The lead BAIs include the following:

• Springboard Atlantic Inc. – Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island
• Mouvement des accélérateurs d’innovation du Québec (MAIN) – Québec
• Communitech Corporation – Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan
• Innovate Calgary, Lethbridge Economic Development and University of Calgary– Alberta
• New Ventures BC Society – British Columbia, Yukon, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories

Other BAIs have also been recruited to help implement the program.

Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON)

IPON was established by the Government of Ontario with a view to fostering innovation and growth. Its mandate encompasses providing crucial intellectual property (IP) support and services to advance Ontario’s economic growth and competitiveness by supporting the development and protection of IP.

IPON offers three programs:

1. IP Bootcamp: A three-month program offering tailored, intensive support, with immediate access to funding, and the full suite of IPON services for IP owners (see below).
2. Partner Program: A collaborative six-month initiative for IP owners affiliated with an Ontario Regional Innovation Centre or IPON’s key partner organizations, providing immediate funding and supplementing existing support programs in the ecosystem.
3. Self-Guided: An independent program catering to IP owners who want to learn and access services, including funding and education, at their own pace.

Applications are currently open and are reviewed on a rolling basis.

More specifically, the suite of IPON services includes the following:

• IP Funding: Up to $35,000 for initial funding, with potential future calls up to $100,000.
• IP Benchmarking: Comprehensive assessment of “IP health” to inform tailored strategies.
• Foundational IP Education: Courses on leveraging IP for business objectives, live case-study workshops, and micro-credentials.
• Advanced IP Education: Module-based e-learning courses to advance IP knowledge.
• Tiger Team: Timely consultations with specialized lawyers for urgent IP-specific issues.
• IP Mentorship: Tailored mentorship from experienced professionals.
• IP Intelligence: Market intelligence based on IP patent landscapes to accelerate innovation.
• Networking Events: Invitations to IPON events facilitating collaboration and networking.

Participants of IPON can choose to work with their preferred IP practitioner or can select from a pre-screened roster of IP practitioners.

To be eligible for IPON’s services, applicants must:

• Be an Ontario-based SME with fewer than 500 employees.
• Operate in technology sectors such as medical, automotive, life sciences, artificial intelligence, vehicle technology, mining, and advanced manufacturing.
• Intend to grow the business in Ontario long-term.
• Own IP or IP rights with the intent to commercialize or monetize them in Canada.
• Demonstrate the potential for societal or economic benefit to Ontario.
• Demonstrate the financial capacity to advance the protection and commercialization of IP.

CanExport Innovation

CanExport Innovation offers funding to applicants looking to expand their business with a foreign R&D partner. The funding is up to $75,000 and can cover up to 75% of costs to pursue and sign collaborative R&D agreements with the foreign partner. This program covers the costs related to IP protection in international markets but is currently not accepting applications. Please visit their website for updates on the program: here.

Please note that these programs and their criteria change often, and it is important to check before providing advice to clients.