ElevateIP Program | North Forge

Protect your ideas and secure your future. Safeguard your intellectual property today.

Safeguard Your Intellectual Property with ElevateIP:

THE COMPETITIVE EDGE YOU NEED TO STAND OUT FROM OTHER START-UPS.

The ElevateIP program is a federally funded, nationwide initiative aimed at equipping Canadian start-ups with the essential resources to understand, develop strategy, and create intellectual property (IP) assets. Intellectual property encompasses more than patents. IP includes company assets such as trademarks, patents, copyrights, industrial design, and trade secrets.

ElevateIP offers financial support of up to $100,000 to develop and implement your IP strategy. With the ElevateIP program, you will be prepared and protected at a fraction of the cost. Be proactive and safeguard your intellectual property today!

Unlock three levels of IP support

ElevateIP is a federally funded, nationwide initiative aimed at equipping Canadian start-ups with the essential resources to understand intellectual property, develop intellectual property strategy and create intellectual property assets.

In collaboration with Communitech and ISED, the program will be delivered through a 3-tiered process.

IP Education & Awareness:

Education through consultations, workshops, and online resources.

IP Strategy Development:

Including patent mining and prior art searches, trademark strategy, agreement reviews, and more.

IP Strategy Implementation:

Creation of IP assets such as patent or trademark drafting/filing/prosecution, licensing agreement creation, open source audits, and more.

Protect your ideas and secure your future. Safeguard your intellectual property today.

APPLY NOW

Upcoming IP Events

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View all North Forge events here.

For program questions and
support please contact:

Atif Mumtaz,
Program Manager

ip@northforge.ca
1-204-262-6400

Are you a law firm or IP professional and want to get involved? Fill out our Expression of Interest form.

Boost Growth:

IP-aware SMEs were 2x more likely to see high growth within a three year period.*

*Source: IP Canada Report 2019

The advantage contrast:

59% of SMEs have a basic understanding of patents, yet only 2% possess one.* Securing your assets will provide your business the competitive edge when pitching for investment.

*Source: IP Canada Report 2019

FAQs

I am a law firm/IP professional. How can I get involved?Sheen Chan2024-01-02T11:44:38-06:00

I am a law firm/IP professional. How can I get involved?

Please find our expression of interest form here: EoI – For Service Providers and the Service Provider Quote Form.

If you have any questions feel free to contact the ElevateIP Program Manager, Atif Mumtaz.

Contact: ip@northforge.ca 1-204-262-6400

What are the eligibility requirements for ElevateIP?Sheen Chan2024-02-27T09:06:38-06:00

What are the eligibility requirements for ElevateIP?

Your startup must be incorporated or registered in Manitoba or Saskatchewan.
It must be less than fifteen years old.
You must have fewer than 500 full-time employees.
And have under $10 million in annual revenue.

Apply today to find out your eligibility.

What is ElevateIP?Christy Refvik2023-12-11T14:35:28-06:00

What is ElevateIP?

Elevate IP is a federally funded, national program to help business accelerators and incubators (BAIs) provide
the tools Canadian startups need to understand, strategically manage and leverage their intellectual property.
Tier 1:
IP Education – Receive free online resources that will help in identifying intellectual property strategy gaps.
Tier 2:
IP Strategy Development – Gain access to experts for IP assessments and strategy development.
Tier 3:
IP Strategy Implementation – Be provided subsidized services when implementing your IP strategy.

When will ElevateIP launch?Christy Refvik2023-12-11T14:36:33-06:00

When will ElevateIP launch?

The ElevateIP program has launched as of November 23, 2023 and applications are open now.
Funding is based on annual availability, so do not delay and apply today!

I already have a lawyer. Do you know if I can still receive funding?Christy Refvik2023-12-11T14:36:56-06:00

I already have a lawyer. Do you know if I can still receive funding?

Absolutely. The ElevateIP program is designed so that you can use a lawyer of your choice.

Does my start-up receive the funds directly?Christy Refvik2023-12-11T14:37:14-06:00

Does my start-up receive the funds directly?

No. The program is designed to pay the legal fees for the completed work.

What value of funding is available for my start-up?Christy Refvik2023-12-11T14:37:31-06:00

What value of funding is available for my start-up?

We can provide funds up to $100,000 per start-up.

Are there any maximums for the Tiers?Christy Refvik2023-12-11T14:38:03-06:00

Are there any maximums for the Tiers?

The maximum allotment for Tier 2 (IP strategy development) is $25,000.

Tier 3 (IP implementation) is approved based on a sliding scale. We can cover between 70-90% of the fees
(the start-up needs to be able to pay the rest), with Indigenous or women-owned start-ups eligible to receive
the full 90%.

Why is IP protection important?

“For most start-ups, IP is a key investment in and component of growth and increasing competitive edge in the market. Failing to develop an IP strategy that properly protects the business’s IP rights at the early stages may result in challenges and obstacles later on that could prevent the business from further development and expansion. ”

Silvia de Sousa, Partner • Thompson, Dorftman, Sweatman LLP

“The support from North Forge’s ElevateIP program has been a fantastic resource for entrepreneurs like us. It simplifies the journey, offering essential tools and guidance. ElevateIP has enabled our business to truly adopt and implement a robust IP strategy. Through the program, we’ve been able to level up our NDA and employee contracts while navigating trademarks, copyrights, and patent searches. The program has turned a costly business function into something more accessible for start-ups like ours.”

Grant & Klaudia MacDonald, Bobo

North Forge is an ElevateIP Recipient: a national program of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada,
leading in intellectual property supports for startups in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

ElevateIP Team

ATIF MUMTAZ Program Manager

RAMI SAAD Program Coordinator

LOREN OSCHIPOK IP Advisor

JACQUIE NEVEIP Advisor