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Stream 3: IP Implementation

Implementation: Support with costs from Legal Service Providers

Have a strong IP strategy in place? Ready to apply for a patent or trademark? This is the right stream for you. You can apply to potentially have up to $60,000 of the costs of working with a legal service provider covered.

Co-investment is 25% or 10% for startups that are majority Indigenous-owned. The final approval will be based on the quote provided.

Eligible activities include:

  • Patent application preparation and filing
  • Patent prosecution
  • Trademark application preparation and filing
  • Trademark prosecution
  • Industrial design application preparation and filing
  • Industrial design prosecution
  • Copyright registration
  • Legal contractual drafting ie: commercialization of IP opportunities
    *Must be directly connected to or primarily in support of the implementation of the applicant’s IP strategy
  • Other services may be eligible on a case-by-case basis

Eligibility

  • Startups must meet program eligibility requirements
  • Must be incorporated
  • Must have a strong IP strategy in place
  • Must demonstrate IP knowledge by fulfilling one of the following education requirements: 
      • Proof of completion of the IP Certification Program Level 1, Level 2, or equivalent training*  
      • Proof of completion of the IP Pathways – IP Certification Program*
      • Proof of completion Level 2 of IP Assist 
      • Proof of having at least one in house IP expert**

        *Proof of registration is acceptable at the time of the application for the Certification sessions. However, the Award letter won’t be issued until the proof of successful completion is provided.
        **In house IP Expert is a staff member with formal IP qualifications or significant experience in managing IP. Minimum formal qualification is IP Management Training within the last five years. External consultants and advisors do not qualify.

How to apply

To apply, you’ll need to register on the application portal, answer some IP assessment questions, and let us know if you’re already working with a mentor or accelerator organization.

You’ll also need to agree to provide a quote from a legal service provider (we don’t expect you to pay for one!).

Note: If we feel your company might not be ready, we may ask you to complete some education or mentorship and reapply.

Note: An application does NOT guarantee any approval. The program is highly competitive and demand exceeds available funding. Any costs incurred without a fully approved application are the responsibility of the startup.

Application periods:

  • Intake 1: Dec. 9, 2024  – Jan 23, 2025 for projects running April 1 – September 30, 2025
  • Intake 2: May 1 – May 29, 2025, for projects running Sept. 1 – Feb. 28, 2026

All proposed work must start AFTER April 1, 2025. AccelerateIP cannot accept any applications for work that occurred prior to April 1, 2025 for these intakes. 

For the latest program updates, sign-up for our newsletter. Please note all dates may be subject to change.

VIEW PROGRAM GUIDELINES

Stream 3 FAQ

Can my mentor help me with an active IP dispute (litigation)?

No, litigation costs, including enforcement of IP rights against a third party, are an ineligible activity for the program.

Does the co-investment have to come from my company? Can it come from another program?

Co-investment must be paid by the startup. We can look at co-investment being paid by another organization on a case-by-case basis – please contact us.

Can I file a patent in the US or internationally or does it have to be only in Canada?

The patents you file in the program can be in any jurisdiction. The service provider you work with must be registered or approved to be registered on the program provider list. US service providers will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. We do not allow applications with any providers outside of Canada or the US.

Will the program take an equity in my company or take any ownership of my IP?

No, the program will not take equity or ownership of your IP.

Does my lawyer have to be in the regions of AccelerateIP (BC, Yukon, NWT, Nunavut?)

Your lawyer or legal service provider must be based in Canada and their law firm or patent agency must be currently registered with the program. OR, your legal service provider must apply and be accepted to register with the program. We may accept US service providers on a case by case basis only.

My application wasn’t successful. Can I reapply?

Yes, you can reapply as long as your startup is eligible.

I already paid a lawyer for implementation support, can I apply for this program retroactively?

No, the program cannot reimburse startups for fees already paid to legal service providers.

My patent filing may take awhile. Is there a timeframe in which it has to complete to be a part of this program?

We ask that all activities be completed within a six month timeframe to avoid holding funds. This includes for matters outside of your control, such as time to review, timing of office actions.
If you cannot complete all activities within that period, we invite you to split your application and re-apply.

Are non profit organizations eligible?

Yes, so long as they meet the general eligibility requirements.

Can I apply to Stream 2 and 3 with an activity that is not listed within the Eligible Activities?

You may apply and list the services under “other”. They will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Do you accept retroactive applications for Stream 2 & 3?

We do, provided the invoices have not yet been paid and the services are received after April 1, 2025. However, we cannot reimburse startups for invoices; the program can only pay service providers directly.

For any other questions you might have about the program contact us at: accelerateip@newventuresbc.com

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