Media Release

MP Bradford and MP Chagger announce supports for Canadian startups

Federal government doubles down on Canadian startups by investing $90M in intellectual property (IP) programs to help them grow and succe

KITCHENER, ONT., December 19, 2022 — Federal government doubles down on Canadian startups by investing $90M in intellectual property (IP) programs to help them grow and succeed.

Today, MP Bradford and MP Chagger announced approximately $38 million in funding for Communitech to help deliver the ElevateIP program. Budget 2021 announced the launch of ElevateIP, with a $90M investment over four years to help Business Accelerators and Incubators (BAIs) provide startups with access to professional intellectual property (IP) supports. ElevateIP leverages business networks across the country to enable Canadian startups to protect, strategically manage, and leverage their IP. 

Following a nation-wide competitive call for proposals, the following five delivery partners have been selected to accelerate IP support for startups across Canada:

  • Springboard Atlantic Inc. – Supporting startups in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island
  • Mouvement des accélérateurs d’innovation du Québec (MAIN) – Supporting startups in Quebec
  • Communitech Corporation – Supporting startups in Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan
  • The Governors of the University of Calgary, in support of Innovate Calgary & Lethbridge Economic Development – Supporting startups in Alberta
  • New Ventures BC Society – Supporting startups in British Columbia, Yukon, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories

ElevateIP will enable Canadian startups to better develop IP strategies and increase education and awareness of the critical nature of IP in the Canadian innovation ecosystem.

Quotes

“Canadian startups are some of the most innovative and inventive in the world. That’s why our government is committed to supporting them so they can better protect and manage their IP. Through this investment, we are enabling startups to better develop IP strategies for long-term growth. We will continue to do everything we can to see Canadian businesses succeed both at home and around the world.”

– The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

"Encouraging and protecting made-in-Canada IP is critically important for the prosperity of the entire country. Communitech has the experience and talent to play a lead role in helping the government execute its IP strategy. We are deeply grateful to Minister Champagne for providing the resources through Elevate IP necessary to help founders make the most of their IP assets and retain the benefits of Canadian innovation in Canada."

-Chris Albinson, President and CEO, Communitech

Quick facts

  • In Budget 2021, the government announced $90 million over 4 years starting in 2022-2023 to create ElevateIP.
  • This program will help Business Accelerators and Incubators (BAIs) provide the tools Canadian startups need to protect, strategically manage and leverage their IP.
  • To assist companies understand, protect and access IP, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) launched a comprehensive National Intellectual Property Strategy intended to help businesses protect and capitalize on their IP through education and awareness initiatives, development of new IP tools, and legislative reform.
  • ElevateIP’s nation-wide call for proposals closed June 28, 2022.

Associated links

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Contact

 

Laurie Bouchard
Senior Manager, Communications
Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
laurie.bouchard@ised-isde.gc.ca

Pratt Sureka (he/him)
Director, Public Affairs and Policy
Communitech
prateek.sureka@communitech.ca