Safeguard Your Intellectual Property with ElevateIP
The ElevateIP program is a federally funded, nationwide initiative designed to help Canadian startups understand, develop, and protect their intellectual property (IP) assets. Delivered by North Forge across Manitoba and Saskatchewan, the program gives you access to IP education, expert guidance, and strategic support to help you build, protect, and grow your business.
Applications for ElevateIP 1.0 Tier 2 and Tier 3 services closed on June 30, 2025.
ElevateIP 2.0 is coming in 2026/2027!
To be the first to hear about future funding opportunities and IP education, join our info list.
At its core, ElevateIP helps Canadian startups make informed, strategic decisions about their intellectual property. IP is more than just patents—it also includes trademarks, copyrights, industrial designs, and trade secrets. When managed intentionally, these assets play a critical role in protecting innovation, attracting investment, and supporting long-term growth.
Through ElevateIP 1.0, eligible startups can access up to $100,000 in support to develop and implement an IP strategy—reducing financial barriers and enabling companies to protect their innovations earlier and more effectively.
Delivered in partnership with Communitech and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), ElevateIP supports startups through a structured three-tiered approach:
Unlock three levels of IP support
Tier 1: IP Capacity Building (Education)
Build a foundational understanding of intellectual property through expert-led sessions, webinars, and online resources - so you can make informed decisions about IP as your business grows.
*No application or approval necessary for Tier 1 of ElevateIP
Tier 2: IP Strategy Development:
Develop a tailored intellectual property strategy aligned with your business goals. Tier 2 support focuses on strategy and analysis—such as patent mining, prior art and trademark searches, competitive and IP landscape analysis, and advisory guidance—to help you prioritize, plan, and de-risk future IP decisions.
*Access to Tier 2 services is subject to program application, eligibility, and acceptance. Availability is dependent on program intake and funding.
Tier 3: IP Strategy Implementation:
Put your IP strategy into action by implementing approved protection and commercialization activities. Tier 3 support focuses on execution—such as drafting and filing patents or trademarks (following favourable searches), developing IP-related licensing agreements, and conducting open-source audits—to help secure and operationalize your intellectual property.
*Access to Tier 3 services is subject to program application, eligibility, and acceptance. Availability is dependent on program intake, funding, and success with Tier 2.
Through ElevateIP, startups gain the tools, guidance, and knowledge needed to protect and leverage their intellectual property—supporting informed decision-making and long-term business growth.
Are you an IP professional interested in getting involved as an ElevateIP Service Provider?
Reach out to us at: IP@northforge.ca to apply!
Questions?
SMEs that own formal intellectual property receive, on average, 3x more financing than businesses without IP.*
By helping founders identify, protect, and manage their IP, ElevateIP supports businesses as they grow and prepare for future opportunities.
*Source: IP Canada Report 2024
“ElevateIP program has been a game-changer for my start-up, POPP3R Cybersecurity, providing us with the education, resources, and support to develop a comprehensive IP strategy. The team at North Forge made the entire process seamless, offering unwavering support and guidance every step of the way. Through the program’s three-tiered approach and the exceptional assistance from TDS Law, a renowned firm specializing in intellectual property, we gained a deep understanding of IP and identified the key assets that set our business apart from competitors. Thanks to ElevateIP and the expertise of TDS Law, we now have a well-defined IP strategy in place, and our company’s assets are protected, giving us a competitive edge in the market.”
“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.”
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. ”
“It would have been cost-prohibitive for us to obtain IP protection on two of our products at this stage of our journey. Through the ElevateIP program, we were able to secure the necessary patents (pending in the US and Canada) without the extreme cost. The program made IP protection easy and accessible for us.
“Communicating Whistle’s startup innovation without IP Protection was restrictive as we reached out to investors and the wider industry. Very grateful for the ElevateIP program and North Forge for empowering us to stride ahead by ensuring IP Protection and Trademark strategy through an experienced Law firm.”
“Thanks to the ElevateIP Program, we were able to hire an IP consultant who helped us identify our IP assets, assess our IP risks, and prioritize our IP actions. We also received funding to file patent applications for some of our key inventions, which will help us secure our market position and attract investors. The ElevateIP Program has been a game-changer for us.”
“This collaboration with North Forge, ElevateIP, and Bereskin & Parr LLP has not only elevated our IP strategy but also positioned us to make a significant impact in the field of reproductive health. Their combined expertise and support have enabled us to focus on our core mission of helping couples conceive naturally, while ensuring that our intellectual property is protected and leveraged effectively.”
“The devices we have in the pipeline are now being reviewed and assessed by federal law enforcement agencies as well as military defence and research entities. We have also been approached by other foreign representatives based on what they have heard about our progress. The ElevateIP funding support has allowed us to maintain and keep our patent pool updated and fresh. ”
“To be competitive, intellectual property is crucial for any business to create a protective moat around their operations, allowing them to compete effectively in the market. For us, protecting our IP was equally important. However, when we saw the costs associated with legal fees, we were stunned about how we would afford it. That’s why Elevate IP was a natural choice to support us.”
New : Protecting Indigenous IP Program
We’re excited to introduce the Protecting Indigenous IP Program - a new initiative designed to support Indigenous entrepreneurs, creatives, innovators, and community leaders in understanding and safeguarding their intellectual property.
As an ElevateIP Tier 1 Education program, this self-paced experience focuses on building practical knowledge of Indigenous IP, including cultural heritage, Traditional Knowledge, and Traditional Cultural Expressions. Participants gain access to tools, legal context, and culturally grounded guidance to better understand how Indigenous Knowledge fits within Canada’s IP systems.
Developed in partnership with Indigenous IP lawyers, experts, and Communitech, the program bridges Indigenous Knowledge systems and Canadian IP frameworks. It helps participants understand both the opportunities and limitations of existing systems, while supporting informed decision-making around ownership, partnerships, and protection strategies.
Founder’s IP Journey
As an ElevateIP Tier 1 Education program, the Founder’s IP Journey focuses on IP education, action planning, and foundational IP literacy. This new program is open to a broader audience and serves as a complementary first step before applying to ElevateIP or other IP-focused programs.
FAQ's
ElevateIP is a national program funded by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) that helps Canadian startups understand, protect, and leverage their intellectual property (IP).
Delivered in Manitoba and Saskatchewan by North Forge in partnership with Communitech, the program provides eligible startups with access to IP education, independent IP Advisors, and funding for eligible IP strategy, searches, legal services, and implementation activities such as patent and trademark filings.
The goal of ElevateIP is to help innovative companies build strong IP foundations, support commercialization, attract investment, and create long-term competitive advantages.
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.Reach out to our team at: IP@northforge.ca to apply!
To be eligible for the ElevateIP program, your company must generally:
-
Be a Canadian-Controlled Private Corporation (CCPC).
-
Be incorporated or registered in Manitoba or Saskatchewan.
-
Employ fewer than 500 employees.
-
Generate less than CAD $10 million in annual revenue.
-
Have been operating for fewer than 15 years.
-
Own, or have the exclusive legal rights to use, the intellectual property associated with the innovation being supported.
-
Be developing or commercializing an innovative product, technology, or service where intellectual property plays an important role.
-
Submit the required application materials.
-
The ElevateIP 1.0 program launched November 23, 2023 and applications for Tier 2 and Tier 3 services closed on June 30, 2025.
We anticipate opening the ElevateIP 2.0 program to new applicants in Fall/Winter 2026/2027.
If you would like to be notified when applications open, please join our ElevateIP Info List. We will share program updates, eligibility information, and application details as they become available.
Yes. Having an existing lawyer, patent agent, or trademark agent does not prevent you from participating in the ElevateIP program.
If your current legal representative is an authorized North Forge ElevateIP Service Provider, you may be able to continue working with them through the program.
If they are not currently an authorized Service Provider, they are welcome to apply to join the program. Alternatively, you may choose another authorized Service Provider from the North Forge Service Provider Directory.
Your assigned IP Advisor will work with you to identify the services that best support your business and intellectual property strategy, regardless of whether you already have professional IP advisors.
No. ElevateIP funding is not provided directly to Participants as a grant or cash payment.
Instead, North Forge pays approved Service Providers directly for eligible services approved through the program.
For Tier 2 services, eligible costs are covered at 100%, up to the applicable funding limits.
For Tier 3 services, Participants are required to co-invest 10%, 20%, or 30%, depending on their eligibility. The Participant pays this portion directly to their Service Provider, and North Forge pays the remaining approved amount.
All services must be approved through the ElevateIP process before work begins. Work started before receiving the required approvals is not eligible for funding.
Eligible Participants may receive up to CAD $100,000 (pre-tax) in funding through the ElevateIP program.
Funding is divided into two tiers:
-
Tier 2: IP Strategy & Development
-
Up to CAD $25,000
-
100% funded with no Participant co-investment required.
-
-
Tier 3: IP Implementation
-
Up to CAD $75,000
-
Participants contribute 10%, 20%, or 30% of eligible project costs, depending on their eligibility, with the program covering the remaining amount.
-
Unused Tier 2 funding may be applied toward eligible Tier 3 activities, subject to program requirements and funding availability.
Please note that CAD $100,000 is the maximum funding available under the program. Actual funding awarded will depend on your company’s needs, the proposed IP activities, eligibility, and the availability of program funding. Participation in ElevateIP does not guarantee funding for any particular service or project.
-
ElevateIP Team
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.