Government of Canada announces ElevateIP partnerships that will support Canadian startups

From: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

News release

Federal government doubles down on assisting Canadian startups by investing $90M in intellectual property programs to help them grow and succeed

December 19, 2022 – Montreal, Québec

Today, Rachel Bendayan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Tourism, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, is announcing the delivery partners of the ElevateIP program. Budget 2021 announced the launch of ElevateIP, with a $90 million investment over four years to help business accelerators and incubators (BAIs) provide startups with access to professional intellectual property (IP) supports. ElevateIP leverages business networks across the country to enable Canadian startups to protect, strategically manage and leverage their IP.

After a nationwide competitive call for proposals, the following five delivery partners have been selected to accelerate IP support for startups across Canada:

  • Springboard Atlantic – Supporting startups in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island
  • Mouvement des accélérateurs d’innovation du Québec – Supporting startups in Quebec
  • Communitech Corporation – Supporting startups in Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan
  • The Governors of the University of Calgary, in support of Innovate Calgary and Economic Development Lethbridge – Supporting startups in Alberta
  • New Ventures BC – Supporting startups in British Columbia, Yukon, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories

ElevateIP will enable Canadian startups to better develop IP strategies and increase education and awareness of the critical nature of IP in the Canadian innovation ecosystem.

Quotes

"Canadian startups are some of the most innovative and inventive in the world. That's why our government is committed to supporting them so they can better protect and manage their IP. Through this investment, we are enabling startups to better develop IP strategies for long-term growth. We will continue to do everything we can to see Canadian businesses succeed both at home and around the world."
— The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

"Taking your big ideas to the next level! Our federal government is providing Canadian startups with the IP supports they need to innovate and grow through our new ElevateIP program. I am thrilled to see so many partners coming together to help small businesses throughout Quebec and across the country."
— Rachel Bendayan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance

Quick facts

  • In Budget 2021, the government announced $90 million over four years, starting in 2022–2023, to create ElevateIP. 

  • This program will help business accelerators and incubators provide the tools Canadian startups need to protect, strategically manage and leverage their IP.

  • To help companies understand, protect and access IP, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada launched a comprehensive national Intellectual Property Strategy intended to help businesses protect and capitalize on their IP through education and awareness initiatives, development of new IP tools, and legislative reform. 

  • ElevateIP’s nationwide call for proposals closed on June 28, 2022.

Associated links

Contacts

Laurie Bouchard
Senior Manager, Communications
Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
laurie.bouchard@ised-isde.gc.ca

Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
media@ised-isde.gc.ca

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