Funding Programs
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 Intellectual Property is a full-service provider, helping startups and SMEs define their scope of work, prepare funding estimates, and seamlessly execute approved projects.
Eligibility
Requirements
- Canadian Controlled Private Corporation (CCPC)
- Fewer than 500 employees
- The IP must be owned by the corporation and not by 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. Government agents then review and approve the Scope of Work (“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.
BDC IP-Backed Financing
REGION
Canada
ABOUT
The BDC IP-Backed Financing program is a Canadian federal initiative launched by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). It is specifically designed to help IP-rich companies—particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—unlock the value of their intellectual property assets to access non-dilutive capital.
This program allows startups and growing businesses to use their patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and other intangible assets as collateral for debt financing, which was historically difficult in traditional lending models.
Eligible services
Contact BDC for details. Examples may include R&D, commercialization, scaling, IP portfolio development, or working capital.
grant amount
Funding is provided in the form of a loans, not equity, allowing founders to retain ownership. Tailored repayment options aligned with IP commercialization timelines.
CONTACT
Elevate IP: MomentumIP
REGION
Québec
ABOUT
MomentumPI is Quebec’s regional delivery of the federal ElevateIP program, funded by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). Managed by the Mouvement des accélérateurs d’innovation du Québec (MAIN), the program equips startups with funding and access to a network of IP experts to help them develop, protect, and leverage their intellectual property.
Tailored to the unique needs of Quebec’s innovation ecosystem, momentumPI supports accelerators, incubators, and the companies they serve through practical, professional IP services.
Eligible services
- IP assessments and audits
- Development of IP strategies
- Competitive analysis and landscape reports
- IP registration and protection
- Legal and contractual support
- Initial disbursements related to IP activities
grant amount
- Up to $112,000
- Applicant Co-investment: 25-30%
CONTACT
ElevateIP: Accelerate IP
REGION
British Columbia, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut
ABOUT
AccelerateIP is a Canadian federal initiative led by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and delivered regionally by New Ventures BC in collaboration with Innovate BC. It supports startups across British Columbia, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut in developing and executing effective intellectual property strategies.
The program provides funding and expert guidance to help companies identify, protect, and leverage IP assets—such as patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets—while reducing the cost and complexity of IP management. AccelerateIP empowers innovative businesses to safeguard their ideas and strengthen their competitive position in the market.
Eligible services
- IP strategy development and asset creation
- IP drafting, registration, filing, and prosecution
- Legal advice and contractual drafting related to IP protection
- Filing fees and application costs
grant amount
- Up to $85,000
- Applicant Co-Investment: 10%-25%
CONTACT
ElevateIP: Alberta (Innovate Calgary)
REGION
Alberta
ABOUT
Innovate Calgary is the innovation transfer and business incubator center of the University of Calgary, supporting researchers, entrepreneurs, and startups in Alberta’s innovation ecosystem. With a strong focus on commercialization, venture creation, and technology transfer, Innovate Calgary helps innovators turn ideas into viable ventures.
As the delivery partner for ElevateIP Alberta, Innovate Calgary provides funding and expert support to help startups develop and protect their intellectual property. The program offers guidance on identifying, securing, and leveraging IP assets—including patents, trademarks, and copyrights—while reducing the cost and complexity of IP management for early-stage companies.
Eligible services
- IP strategy development and planning
- IP registration and protection activities
- Preparation and filing of IP applications
grant amount
- Up to $100,000
- Applicant Co-investment: 10%-35%
CONTACT
ElevateIP: Communitech
REGION
Ontario
ABOUT
Communitech is a leading innovation hub based in Waterloo, Ontario, dedicated to supporting the growth of tech-driven startups and scale-ups. With deep roots in Canada’s tech ecosystem, Communitech helps founders access capital, talent, and commercialization support—offering tailored programs that accelerate growth and strengthen competitiveness.
As the Ontario delivery partner for the federal ElevateIP initiative, Communitech provides startups with funding and guidance to develop and implement effective IP strategies. The program supports companies in identifying, protecting, and leveraging their intellectual property—reducing barriers and setting the foundation for long-term success.
Eligible services
- IP audits and strategic planning
- Legal advice for IP-related agreements
- Drafting, filing, and prosecution of patents, trademarks, and copyrights
- Support for protecting and leveraging IP assets
grant amount
- Up to $100,000
- Applicant Co-investment: 10%-30%
CONTACT
ElevateIP: Invest Ottawa
REGION
Ontario
ABOUT
Invest Ottawa delivers the ElevateIP program in Eastern Ontario, supporting startups in enhancing their intellectual property (IP) capabilities. The program offers funding and expert guidance to help businesses develop and implement effective IP strategies, protecting their innovations and strengthening their market position delivered through a 3-tiered approach.
Eligible services
- IP assessments and audits
- Development of IP strategies
- Competitive analysis and landscape reports
- IP registration and protection
- Legal and contractual support
- Initial disbursements related to IP activities
grant amount
- Up to $55,000
- Applicant Co-investment: 10-30%
CONTACT
ElevateIP: North Forge
REGION
Manitoba and Saskatchewan
ABOUT
The ElevateIP program is a Canadian federal initiative led by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and delivered regionally by North Forge in collaboration with Communitech. It is designed to help startups—particularly in Manitoba and Saskatchewan—identify, protect, and leverage their intellectual property assets.
Through a structured three-tiered process, ElevateIP provides funding and advisory support to assist with patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and more. The program reduces the cost and risk of developing an IP strategy, helping innovative, IP-rich companies strengthen their competitive edge and support long-term growth.
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
- Up to $100,000
- Applicant Co-investment: 10%-30%
CONTACT
ElevateIP: Springboard Atlantic IP Advantage
REGION
Atlantic Canada (Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick)
ABOUT
Springboard Atlantic is a regional innovation network that connects post-secondary institutions across Atlantic Canada with industry to drive research commercialization and economic growth. By fostering collaboration between academia and business, Springboard supports the development of new technologies and the translation of research into market-ready solutions.
As the delivery partner for the ElevateIP program in Atlantic Canada, Springboard Atlantic helps startups and researchers identify, protect, and commercialize their intellectual property. Through tailored funding and advisory support, the program enables innovators to build effective IP strategies that reduce risk, protect assets, and unlock long-term competitive advantages.
Eligible services
- IP assessments and roadmap development
- IP strategy creation and execution
- IP protection, including drafting and filing
- Legal support for IP-related agreements
- Coaching and advisory services
grant amount
- Up to $75,000
- Applicant Co-investment: 10%-35%
Innovation Asset Collective (IAC)
REGION
Canada
ABOUT
The Innovation Asset Collective (IAC) is a not-for-profit organization focused on helping Canadian companies in the data-driven cleantech sector build and implement effective intellectual property strategies. Funded by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), IAC provides its members with access to IP education, strategy development, patent intelligence, and collective resources to strengthen their competitive position globally.
As part of the national ElevateIP initiative, IAC delivers programming that empowers SMEs to identify, protect, and leverage their intellectual property assets—including patents, trade secrets, and copyrights—to drive innovation, attract investment, and scale responsibly.
Eligible services
- Intellectual Property (IP) Strategy Development
- IP Creation and Protection
- IP Portfolio Management
- Legal and Advisory Services
- Commercialization Support
- Education and Capacity Building
- Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (where applicable)
grant amount
- Associate Member Grant: Up to $10,000
- Full Membership Grant: Up to $20,000
- Grant for Women in IP: Up to $10,000
CONTACT
Sharon S. Ho: sho@ipcollective.ca
Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON)
REGION
Ontario
ABOUT
Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) is a provincial agency dedicated to helping Ontario-based innovators and businesses maximize the value of their intellectual property. IPON provides expert advice, funding, and educational resources to support the development, protection, and commercialization of IP assets such as patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.
By working closely with entrepreneurs, researchers, and scaling companies, IPON strengthens Ontario’s innovation ecosystem and helps position IP as a strategic business tool that drives growth and competitiveness both locally and globally.
Eligible services
- IP audits and strategy development
- Competitive analysis and landscape reports
- IP registration and protection
- Legal and contractual support
- IP-related initial disbursements (e.g., filing fees)
grant amount
- Up to $100,000 per fiscal year (April 1-Mar 31). $300,000 lifetime cap.
- Applicant Co-investment: 20%
Final grant amounts at the discretion of IPON.
CONTACT
IP Assist (NRC IRAP)
REGION
Canada
ABOUT
IP Assist is a national program delivered by the National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP). It provides Canadian SMEs with expert support and funding to develop and implement intellectual property strategies. The program helps businesses strengthen their IP capabilities, protect their innovations, and position themselves for long-term growth.
Eligible services
- IP assessments and audits
- Development of IP strategies
- Competitive analysis and landscape reports
- Legal and contractual support related to IP
grant amount
- Level 2: IP Strategy Development – Up to $20,000
- Level 3: IP Strategy Implementation – Up to $20,000
CONTACT
If you’re already an NRC IRAP client, it’s recommended to reach out to your assigned Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA) for personalized assistance