AccelerateIP provides startups and entrepreneurs access to education, support, and strategy development for protecting, implementing and leveraging intellectual property
November 30, 2023 – Vancouver, British Columbia – AccelerateIP, a new program providing comprehensive support around intellectual property (IP) education and strategy, has formally launched and is now accepting applications following a successful soft launch earlier this year.
Offered within British Columbia, Yukon, Nunavut and Northwest Territories, AccelerateIP is a recipient of ElevateIP, a national initiative funded by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). With $12.5M in federal funding, AccelerateIP expects to support over 600 startups across supported regions to provide qualifying businesses access to education, skills development, and financial support for protecting, managing and leveraging IP. The program will also operate in collaboration with the Province of British Columbia on their upcoming Intellectual Property Strategy initiatives.
New Ventures BC is leading the delivery of the program, supported by prime collaborator Innovate BC as well as an extensive network of accelerator partners and ecosystem collaborators.
“Intellectual property is critical for startup growth and innovation protection,” said Angie Schick, Executive Director of New Ventures BC.
“AccelerateIP, as a collaborative network-driven initiative, complements NVBC’s ongoing work and educates entrepreneurs about leveraging intellectual assets for business scaling. In the soft-launch phase, we’re thrilled that multiple program cohorts are at full capacity, highlighting strong demand for these new initiatives. This is just the start, but we see AIP as a crucial resource for startups’ growth journeys.”
AccelerateIP is available through three streams of programming, each addressing a critical area of creating and executing an effective IP strategy.
- Stream 1 – Education and Awareness
Receive foundational training in IP through seminars, online modules, and an in-depth IP Certification program - Stream 2 – Strategy
Access 1:1 mentorship opportunities and up to $25,000 in funds for legal strategy expertise - Stream 3 – Implementation
Receive up to $60,000 in funds to cover legal implementation expertise
“Our Government knows that when startups and small businesses are given the tools to innovate and thrive, the whole economy benefits from it. That’s why we are committed to supporting Canadian startups and empowering Canadian innovation. The ElevateIP program is helping them to leverage their intellectual property to accelerate their growth, and reach the next level of success at home and abroad.”
-The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
“AccelerateIP is streamlining the Intellectual Property process that is vital to new and growing businesses who want protection for their innovation,” said Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. “To stay competitive, businesses need to become educated in IP and AccelerateIP along with our province’s IP Strategy has the tools to support growing entrepreneurs.”
Qualifying businesses can now submit applications for each AccelerateIP program stream online.
To learn more about the program, including eligibility requirements, visit www.accelerateip.ca/.
Quotes
“One of the most crucial assets a developing company can have is a strong IP strategy that can protect and support the growth of their product. AccelerateIP will equip innovators in B.C. and across Canada with not only the knowledge they need to build their IP strategy, but also the means to leverage it effectively.”
Tomica Divic, Interim President + CEO, Innovate BC
“Intellectual property and data have become such important business assets in today’s intangibles economy that it’s vital that businesses, especially tech businesses, have basic IP literacy and IP strategy skills. We are committed to ensuring that Canadian businesses are fully equipped to take advantage of the opportunities and meet the challenges of IP and data generation, protection and enforcement.”
Myra Tawfik and Karima Bawa, Co-Creators and Instructors of the IP Certification course
“AccelerateIP will be a game-changer for NWT tech startups, offering crucial support and funding. This program will help catalyze innovation and growth in the North, creating new opportunities and supporting a stronger tech future.”
Joyce Taylor, CEO, Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation (BDIC)
Quick facts
- Delivered by New Ventures BC, AccelerateIP provides access to education, support, and strategy development for protecting, implementing and leveraging intellectual property;
- The program is a recipient of ElevateIP, a national initiative funded by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
- The program will operate in collaboration with Province of British Columbia’s new Intellectual Property Strategy;
- AccelerateIP is offered within B.C., Yukon, Nunavut and Northwest Territories;
- The program will run until March 31, 2026 and will work to support over 600 startups in that period through $12.5M in funding.
- Video overview
Partners
Accelerate Okanagan, BC Tech Association, entrepreneurship@UBC, Foresight Canada, Hubspace, Innovation Island, Kamloops Innovation Centre, KAST (Kootenay Association for Science & Technology), Life Sciences BC, Pinnguaq, SFU VentureLabs, Spring, Tech Yukon, VIATEC (Victoria Innovation, Advanced Technology and Entrepreneurship Council)
Collaborators
Innovate BC (Prime Collaborator), CICE: BC Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy, Council of Canadian Innovators, DIGITAL, Genome BC, InBC Investment Corp., Innovation Asset Collective, Northwest Territories Business Development Investment Corp., Province of British Columbia – Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development, and Innovation, Société de développement économique de la Colombie-Britannique), South Island Prosperity Partnership, Volition
Contacts
Michael Gleboff
Communications + Community Manager
Innovate BC
mgleboff@innovatebc.ca
