AccelerateIP provides startups and entrepreneurs access to education, support, and strategy development for protecting, implementing and leveraging intellectual property.
November 30, 2023 – 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.
