The 2025 Federal Budget commits more than $180 million in renewed support over the next four years across three key programs: Elevate IP, the Innovation Asset Collective (Patent Collective), and IP Assist. Each of these initiatives plays a different but complementary role in helping Canadian businesses understand, protect, and commercialize their intellectual property.
Funding for these programs begins in 2026–27 and will remain in place through 2029–30 allowing startups, scale-ups, and research-driven organizations to continue receiving professional guidance and financial assistance for intellectual property protection.
This continued funding gives companies certainty to plan ahead and the resources to strengthen their IP portfolios. It ensures innovators can keep developing and protecting their ideas without interruption, while positioning their IP assets for growth and investment.
Beyond these programs, the budget introduces broader innovation measures, including:
- Improvements to Canada’s IP system
- Expanded access to IP-backed lending
- Updates to the SR&ED program to drive R&D investment
- New large-scale computing infrastructure to advance artificial intelligence, manufacturing, and other technology sectors
Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON)
In addition to these federally funded programs, Ontario innovators continue to benefit from the provincial Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) initiative. IPON provides expert guidance, funding, and commercialization support for Ontario-based companies developing patentable technologies. Through its Strategy and Implementation program, eligible businesses can access up to $100,000 per fiscal year (to a lifetime maximum of $300,000), with a 20% co-investment. IPON focuses on high-impact sectors that include artificial intelligence, vehicle technologies, health and life sciences, mining technology, agriculture and food innovation, and clean economy solutions, as well as advanced manufacturing where it supports the development of technologies that serve these priority areas
What This Means for Businesses
Through these programs, businesses can receive expert help to identify protectable assets, develop tailored IP strategies, and offset costs for patent and trademark filings. The funding also supports training, commercialization planning, and portfolio management, helping Canadian innovators retain ownership of their ideas and strengthen their position in global markets.
These additional innovation measures create new opportunities for companies working in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and automation by improving access to technology, infrastructure, and IP expertise.
How PCK Helps
When companies are accepted into programs under Elevate IP, the Patent Collective, or IP Assist, PCK works alongside them to ensure the funding is used effectively to create measurable impact. We help businesses:
- Build and execute an IP strategy that aligns with their business goals
- Identify eligible activities and documentation that meet program requirements
- Prepare and file patents and trademarks using available funding support
- Develop commercialization and licensing strategies that position IP for revenue generation
- Review existing portfolios to strengthen protection, streamline costs, and improve enforceability
- Create valuation-ready IP assets to support fundraising, investment, or sale opportunities
- Manage compliance, reporting, and communication with program administrators to maintain funding eligibility
PCK partners with innovators and established businesses to turn this government funding into real outcomes: stronger protection, long-term value, and measurable growth.