Government Funding
for Startups
Intellectual Property (IP) is a key component of an innovative economy. It helps Canadian innovators achieve commercial success, further discoveries, and create middle-class jobs by protecting their ideas and ensuring they reap the full rewards of their inventions and creations.
The Government of Canada is investing over $90 million over five years to help Canadian businesses, creators, entrepreneurs and innovators understand, protect and access IP through a comprehensive IP strategy.
PCK is a full-service provider, helping startups define their scope of work, prepare funding estimates, and seamlessly execute approved projects.
Eligibility
Requirements
- Canadian Controlled Private Corporation (CCPC)
- Fewer than 500 employees
- IP must be owned by the business and not an individual
- Regional residence rules apply per program
- Business plan may be required to access some programs
*Eligibility requirements vary by program. Additional criteria may apply, so please consult your program representative.
Grant
Process
- Application: The applicant submits an application to the Government Grant program.
- Service Provider Selection: Once approved, the applicant selects a service provider from the suggested list or existing counsel.
- Scope of Work (SOW) Preparation: The applicant and service provider collaborate to develop the SOW based on the IP strategy.
- Evaluation and Approval: The applicant submits the SOW to the Government agency. Then Government agents review and approve the SOW.
- Engagement: The service provider completes the tasks outlined in the SOW, typically within three-months.
- Invoicing: After completion, the service provider issues invoices to the Government Grant agency/ and or the applicant.
AccelerateIP
REGION
BC, YT, NT, NU
ABOUT
AccelerateIP, an ElevateIP recipient, is designed to support hundreds of innovative startups in BC, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut to grow and protect their ideas and intellectual assets.
Led by New Ventures BC and prime collaborator Innovate BC, AccelerateIP provides enhanced access to education, skills development, and financial support for protecting, managing, and leveraging your intellectual property.
AccelerateIP is offered through three core streams listed below.
ELIGIBILITY
- IP registration
- IP protection
- Legal contractual drafting
- IP applications
- Filing fees
- IP strategy development
- IP asset creation
- IP protection
- IP drafting/filing/prosecution
- Legal advice for the preparation and/or review of agreements that protect, create or support IP
information
Program Streams
Stream 1: IP Awareness and Education
- Focus: General IP knowledge
Stream 2: IP Strategy
- Completion Timeline: 3 months (no extensions allowed) (April 1 to June 30)
- Tiers:
- Tier 1: Mentorship
- Tier 2:
- $25,000 grant
- 10-25% co-investment
- Eligibility Requirements for Stream 2:
Stream 3: Implementation
- Completion Timeline: 6 months (no extensions allowed)
- Funding:
- $60,000 grant
- 10-25% co-investment
- Eligibility Requirements for Stream 3
Intake Dates:
-
- Intake 1:
- Stream 2: Jan 14 – Feb 10 (project start date: April 1 – June 30)
- Stream 3: Dec 9 – Jan 23 (project start date: April 1 – June 30)
- Intake 2:
- Stream 2: May 1 – May 29 (project start date: Sept 1 – Nov 30)
- Stream 3: May 1 – May 29 (project start date: Sept 1 – Feb 28, 2026)
- Intake 1:
BDC IP-Backed Financing
ABOUT
The Intellectual Property-Backed Financing solution from BDC Capital recognizes the strength and value of intellectual property (IP) portfolios and helps develop, scale and expand businesses.
BDC delivers strategic funding and value-add to IP-rich companies that traditional lenders tend to overlook. Organizations can obtain capital to accelerate commercial success on a global scale.
Investments from $2M to $10M (participation in one or more rounds); customized term debt, convertible debt and equity..
ELIGIBILITY
- Strong, well-managed commercialized companies with sound IP strategies.
- Stable and growing revenues of at least $5M
- Ownership or license of patents, trademarks, trade secrets, proprietary software, data and copyright
- A plan for global ambition.
CONTACT
Elevate IP: Communitech
REGION
ON
ABOUT
The Communitech program launch date is November 23, 2023 for startups in Ontario and Manitoba and Saskatchewan, in partnership with North Forge Technology Exchange.
Established in 1997, our mission has been our guide ever since. We’re here to support the founder at every stage of their journey, providing accelerated opportunities to access talent, capital and sales.
Funding may be used for eligible services
- IP assessment and IP audits to identify strategy gaps
- IP strategic advice and support
- IP protection such as patents, trademarks or copyright registrations
- IP drafting/filing/prosecution
- Legal advice for the preparation and/or review of agreements that protect, create or support IP
grant amount
- Strategy: up to $25,000
- Implementation: up to $75,000
- Co-investment: 10-30% required from applicant
Innovate Calgary (Alberta)
REGION
AB
ABOUT
ElevateIP Alberta is delivered in partnership by Innovate Calgary and Economic Development Lethbridge. Its core mission is to help founders manage, leverage and protect their intellectual property with the support of business accelerators and incubators (BAIs).
Funding may be used for eligible services
- IP registration
- IP protection
- IP applications
- IP strategy development
grant amount
- Strategy: up to $25,000
- Implementation: up to $60,000
- Co-investment: 10-35% required from applicant
CONTACT
Innovation Asset Collective (IAC)
REGION
All of Canada
ABOUT
In 2019, Innovation Asset Collective (IAC) was selected by the Federal Government’s Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) to receive $30 million in funding to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the data-driven cleantech sector to better leverage IP in their drive to grow to scale and to provide the Government with insight to better support SMEs in this regard going forward.
ELIGIBILITY
- Technology must be data-driven clean tech, positively impacting the environment
- All other eligibility requirements are listed above
information
IAC has three IP Grant programs available: Associate Membership, Full Membership and Women in IP Membership. Details are below:
Tier 1: Associate Membership (Free)
- Education resources
- Upskilling
- Access to patent landscape reports
Tier 1 Grant:
- $10,000 for Strategy and Implementation
Tier 2: Full Membership ($15,000) *pro-rated based on join date based within fiscal year
- The Tier 2 membership includes everything in Tier 1, as well as 100% premium insurance coverage
- Clients receive IP credits in the amount of their membership fee (up to $15,000) for reimbursement for past IP expenses (excluding litigation).
Tier 2 Grant:
- up to $20,000 for Strategy and Implementation
- IAC’s Full Member Grant pool is $200K per round, with individual awards ranging from $5K – $20K.
- Associate Member and Women in IP Grant allocate a pool of $100K per round, with individual awards ranging from $5K-$10K.
Tier 3: Women in IP (Free)
- Created in response to the demonstrated inequitable gender balance in the IP ecosystem.
- The Tier 3 membership includes everything in Tier 1 & 2
Tier 3 Grant:
- Up to $10,000 for Strategy and Implementation
CONTACT
About Innovation Asset Collective (IAC)
About Innovation Asset Collective (IAC) IP Funding
Please contact Sharon S. Ho for more information
Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON)
REGION
ON
ABOUT
Created Winter 2022 by the Ontario Government to provide intellectual property supports and services to help corporations and researchers innovate and grow. Funding covers patent and trademark filing and prosecution activities and the maximum funding is $35,000 for eligible expenses.
ELIGIBILITY
Be an entrepreneur, Ontario small-and-medium size enterprise, or researcher.
Own or have authority from the IP owner to manage the IP that would be supported by services.
Funding may be used for eligible services
- IP survey/audit
- Development of an IP strategy
- Competitive analysis / Landscape report
- IP Registration
- Contractual support
- IP-related initial disbursements
ineligible services
- Taxes
- Subscriptions
- Administrative costs
grant amount
- Strategy and Implementation: Up to $35,000
- Co-investment: 20% required from applicant
CONTACT
Invest Ottawa
REGION
Eastern ON
ABOUT
Invest Ottawa, Launch Lab, and Spark Centre are pleased to accept applicants for the ElevateIP Program. ElevateIP is designed to support the improvement of IP Knowledge, the development of IP Strategy, and the creation of IP assets for Startups in Eastern Ontario. In collaboration with Communitech and ISED, the program will be delivered through a 3-tiered approach.
Funding may be used for eligible services
- Competitive landscape brief to analyze scientific or technological trends
- IP strategy development
- IP asset creation
- IP protection such as patents, trademarks or copyright registrations
- IP drafting/filing/prosecution
- Legal advice for the preparation and/or review of agreements that protect, create or support IP
grant amount
- Strategy: up to $25,000
- Implementation: up to $30,000
- Co-investment: 10-30% required from applicant
IP Assist (IPIC) and IP Assist National Research Council (NRCC)
ABOUT
If you’re a small or medium sized Canadian business pursuing technology driven innovation, you may be eligible for financial support from NRC’s Industrial Research Assistance Program. Funding is provided to eligible companies under the technology innovation projects and youth employment strategy programs.
The IP Assist Program offers a subsidy of up to $50,000.
If you are already an IRAP client, contact your Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA) to discuss a comprehensive IP strategy which could help your startup protect its intellectual property with patents, trademarks and designs. An IP strategy could also help identify potential competitors and future partners.
If you’re a suitable candidate, you will get an IP Assist Proposal template from your ITA. Please return to your ITA, the completed template along with a quote from your IP lawyer/consultant [PCK agent] for the proposed work.
information
The IP Assist Service has three levels:
- Level 1 – up to $1,000. Educational offerings for clients including an initial discussion with an IRAP ITA to discuss your current level of knowledge and firm IP strategy
An IP Professional will host a tailored Level 1 (L1) one-to-one IP Awareness session with you and your team during which they will provide industry-specific IP information and guidance. L1 engagement provides the IP professional with an opportunity to connect, support and guide innovative businesses to help them achieve their business goals. This will take, on average, 3 hours (including and IP awareness presentation followed by Q&As). - Level 2 – up to $25,000 (75% of contractor fees and up to 80% of internal employee costs). For clients working with an IP service provider to deliver a custom IP strategy. PCK can provide you with an estimate and scope of work to support your application.
- Level 3 – up to $25,000 (75% contractor fees, 80% salaries). Intended to enable clients to access licensed legal services to action IP strategy.
ineligible services
- Legal fees to cover the drafting of patent applications, responding to office actions, or foreign agent fees and charges
- Fees due to national patent offices, including but not limited to patent filing fees, examination fees, and annuity/maintenance fees
- Patent drafting and prosecution engagements
- Freedom-to-operate legal opinions
- Infringement and validity opinions
- Memberships or subscriptions
- File management costs, whether internal to the firm or due to external service providers
CONTACT
If you don’t have an ITA, you may call toll-free 1-877-994-4727 to learn more about NRC IRAP.
NRC IRAP support for intellectual property
Financial support for technology innovation through NRC IRAP
MomentumIP (MAIN)
REGION
QC
ABOUT
MomentumPI (MAIN) is a service funded by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISEDC) to help support organizations (accelerators, incubators and others) provide Canadian companies with access to professional intellectual property (IP) services.
In Quebec, main acts as a facilitator for momentumPI, in collaboration with a large pool of intellectual property experts. The offer has been specially designed to take into account the uniqueness of the Quebec ecosystem and the varied needs of support organizations and companies.
MAIN is a beneficiary of the ElevateIP program, a national program of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISDE), a leader in intellectual property support for Quebec start-ups.
Funding may be used for eligible services
- IP registration
- IP strategy development
- IP drafting/filing/prosecution
- IP asset creation
- IP protection
grant amount
- Strategy: up to $3,000
- Implementation: up to $100,000
- Co-investment: 25-30% required from applicant
North Forge
REGION
MB, SK
ABOUT
North Forge is an incubator accelerator and a powerhouse entrepreneur community fueling Manitoba’s innovative science-based, technology-enabled, and advanced manufacturing startups. We curate resources to help entrepreneurs solve problems in real time and reduce the cost and risk of innovation.
Armed with one of North America’s largest fabrication labs (FabLab™), we operate out of 35,000 square feet across Innovation Drive and Innovation Alley in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
In collaboration with Communitech and ISED, the program will be delivered through a 3-tiered process.
Funding may be used for eligible services
- IP Education & Awareness through consultations, workshops and online resources,
- IP assessment and IP audits to identify strategy gaps
- IP Strategy and development
- IP strategic advice and support
- IP protection such as patents, trademarks or copyright registrations
- Legal advice for the preparation and/or review of agreements that protect, create or support IP
grant amount
- Strategy: up to $25,000
- Implementation: up to $75,000
- Co-investment: 10-30% required from applicant
CONTACT
For program questions and support please contact: Nermin Sa’d.
Springboard Atlantic IP
REGION
NL,NS,NB,PE
ABOUT
Springboard’s Atlantic IP Advantage program is designed to raise awareness around the importance of intellectual property in the region.
Thanks to the ElevateIP support from ISED, Springboard Atlantic and other organizations across Canada can now provide innovative start-ups with intellectual property (IP) training, funding and other specialized services.
The Atlantic IP Advantage program provides education and awareness to start-ups and business accelerators and incubators. Start-ups can work with the Atlantic IP Advantage team to connect with IP professionals and apply for funding to develop and implement an IP strategy. Support is targeted to high-growth start-ups in need of IP search, assessment and strategy development and implementation.
Funding may be used for eligible services
- IP assessments
- Comprehensive searches/ development of an IP road map
- IP Strategy and development
- IP protection
- Execute IP strategy
- Coaching
grant amount
- Strategy: up to $50,000
- Implementation: up to $25,000
- Co-investment: 10% required from applicant