Accelerate IP

IP Masterclass: IP Strategy Workshop for Startups
2025-09-25 13:30 - 17:30, 2025-12-11 13:30 - 17:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Is Intellectual Property critical for your startup? Are your potential investors asking about your IP Strategy? If so, this workshop is for you.
​Apply for this half-day workshop, receive support from IP professionals, and build several key pieces of your IP portfolio. In this workshop, you will:

​Capture your IP Start Point
​Build an IP Strategy that aligns with your Business Strategy
​Outline an IP Action Plan
​Receive exclusive access to a bespoke set of IP tools

Register on Luma >>
​Eligibility:
​Registration is limited to 25 startups to ensure an individualized experience with direct access to our IP Professionals.
​This workshop is intended for participants who have, at minimum a basic knowledge of IP. Some examples of meeting this include, but are not limited to, completion of:
​Stream 1: IP Certification Program
Stream 2-1 IP Mentorship
IP Pathways Program
Introduction to Intellectual Property Online Program
​Please note that this workshop is open to participants located in British Columbia, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.

​If you are outside of these provinces and territories, we invite you to participate in programming based in your location: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/elevateip/en

​Additional Information:

​This workshop uses a Miro Board. If you’re not familiar, here’s a 3-minute explainer video to review in advance. (You are not required to sign up for a Miro account to attend this workshop).

​About our presenter, Houston Brown
​Dr. Houston Brown is a registered patent agent (CA and US), a patented inventor, and a published researcher. He’s won numerous intellectual property awards and is an active contributor to the profession through his work with Canada’s College of Patent Agents and Trademark Agents.
​Houston practiced at a top-ranked international law firm and then went “in house” with a leading global technology provider to deepen his knowledge of the business side of intellectual property.
Please note this event is designed to help you with your IP strategy, but it is not legal advice.

IP Masterclass: IP Agreement Essentials – NDAs, MTAs & Licensing
2025-10-30 13:30 - 15:30 | Virtual
Ready to navigate the complexities of IP agreements with greater confidence? Whether you’re sharing prototypes, exchanging confidential information, or preparing to license your technology, knowing how to protect your startups’ innovation is critical.
​This session will guide you through the key learnings and help you avoid costly mistakes- in:

​Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)

​Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs)

​Licensing Agreements

​Learn from case studies, sharpen your skills to spot risks, and strengthen your approach to protecting your IP and confidentiality.
​Eligibility:
​This workshop is intended for participants who have, at minimum a basic knowledge of IP. Some examples of meeting this include, but are not limited to, completion of:

​Stream 1: IP Certification Program

​IP Pathways Program

​Introduction to Intellectual Property Online Program

​Please note that this workshop is open to participants located in British Columbia, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.

​If you are outside of these provinces and territories, we invite you to participate in programming based in your location: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/elevateip/en

​About our presenters:
Erika Murray
​Dr. Erika J. Murray is a commercial technology and intellectual property lawyer with a PhD in engineering. She has practiced at top-ranked international IP firms and, for the past five years, has served as fractional in-house counsel, providing strategic commercial contracting and IP legal advice to early-stage startups, VC-backed high-growth companies, and multinationals. Erika specializes in navigating IP risks, drafting and negotiating complex contracts, and driving commercialization strategies that position businesses across technology, energy, retail, and advanced engineering sectors for success.
​Houston Brown
​Dr. Houston Brown is a registered patent agent (CA and US), a patented inventor, and a published researcher. He’s won numerous intellectual property awards and is an active contributor to the profession through his work with Canada’s College of Patent Agents and Trademark Agents.
​Houston practiced at a top-ranked international law firm and then went “in house” with a leading global technology provider to deepen his knowledge of the business side of intellectual property.
Please note this event is designed to help you with your IP strategy, but it is not legal advice.
Register Now

IP Masterclass: Advanced IP Agreements – Partnership and Manufacturing
2025-11-27 13:30 - 15:30 | Virtual
Continue your journey into IP agreements in practice through Part 2 of our “Agreements” series.
​This session dives into the strategies, risks, and negotiation tips for:

​Partnership Agreements

​Manufacturing Agreements

​Explore practical examples, uncover common pitfalls, and learn how to safeguard your business relationships for long-term success.
​Eligibility:
​This workshop is intended for participants who have, at minimum a basic knowledge of IP. Some examples of meeting this include, but are not limited to, completion of:

​Stream 1: IP Certification Program

​IP Pathways Program

​Introduction to Intellectual Property Online Program

​Please note that this workshop is open to participants located in British Columbia, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.

​If you are outside of these provinces and territories, we invite you to participate in programming based in your location: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/elevateip/en

​About our presenters:
Erika Murray
​Dr. Erika J. Murray is a commercial technology and intellectual property lawyer with a PhD in engineering. She has practiced at top-ranked international IP firms and, for the past five years, has served as fractional in-house counsel, providing strategic commercial contracting and IP legal advice to early-stage startups, VC-backed high-growth companies, and multinationals. Erika specializes in navigating IP risks, drafting and negotiating complex contracts, and driving commercialization strategies that position businesses across technology, energy, retail, and advanced engineering sectors for success.
​Houston Brown
​Dr. Houston Brown is a registered patent agent (CA and US), a patented inventor, and a published researcher. He’s won numerous intellectual property awards and is an active contributor to the profession through his work with Canada’s College of Patent Agents and Trademark Agents.
​Houston practiced at a top-ranked international law firm and then went “in house” with a leading global technology provider to deepen his knowledge of the business side of intellectual property.
Please note this event is designed to help you with your IP strategy, but it is not legal advice.
Register Now

IP Speaker Series: IP Budgeting for Startups
2026-02-23 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
​Intellectual Property (IP) is often a startup’s most valuable asset—and its most unpredictable expense. Without a strategic roadmap, legal fees and filing costs can spiral, draining your runway before you’ve even scaled.
​Join us for a workshop designed to strip away the complexity of IP budgeting. We’ll show you how to transform IP from an expense into a predictable, strategic investment that fuels your startup’s growth.
Register Here

We will go over:
– ​The Importance of Planning for IP Costs
– Clarity on Legal and Business Goals
– Creating a Good Budget
– How to Sustain your Peace of Mind
​Why You Should Join
– Protect Your Runway: Stop overspending on unnecessary filings and learn to prioritize high-value assets.
– ​Impress Investors: Show a sophisticated understanding of your asset management during due diligence.
– Gain Predictability: Shift from “emergency legal bills” to a structured, quarterly budget you can actually count on.

Speaker:
​Susan Tees (IP Director at New Ventures BC) is a veteran Class I patent agent with experience in Canadian and US patent law and practice. She has over 30 years of experience, including the preparation and filing of approximately 100 submissions to the US and Canadian patent offices, or through foreign associates. Susan works with her clients to create their IP strategy and advise them on strategies to protect their innovations as they build their business.

​
Want more opportunities to engage with IP education? To learn more about how you can integrate IP into your business, register for one of our final 3 cohorts of IP Pathways.

Stream 2-2 and 3 Application Info Session
2026-05-07 12:00 - 12:30
Applications open soon for Stream 2-2 and Stream 3 in AccelerateIP.
Interested in applying? Join the programs team to get an overview on the different streams, application tips, and join for Q&A.
Stream 2-2:
One intake for applications:

May 14 – June 15, 2026 for projects running Sept 1 – Nov 30, 2026
Your application must be submitted by June 15, 4pm PT. We regret that we cannot accept late applications.
Startups will be informed of their application’s status by the end of July, 2026.
There will be a waitlist.

Stream 3:
One intake for applications:

May 14 – June 15, 2026 for projects running Aug 17, 2026 – Feb 2, 2027
Your application must be submitted by June 15, 4pm PT. We regret that we cannot accept late applications.
Startups will be informed of their application’s status by the end of July, 2026.
There will be a waitlist.

Register on Luma

Office Hours
2026-05-15 - 2026-06-14, 2026-06-19 - 2026-07-19 | Virtual
Interested in AccelerateIP but not sure where to start?
Need help finding the right AccelerateIP stream or understanding your options? Book a free virtual Office Hours session with one of our team members.
Meet with Our Team:
IP-related questions or business questions:
Chang Han
IP Executive in Residence and former IP lawyer
Availability: Fridays | 9:30AM–4:00PM PT
Book a time with Chang
Susan Tees
IP Director and veteran Class I patent agent
Availability: Mon–Thurs | 9:00AM–4:30PM PT
Book a time with Susan
Program questions:
Rachel Burns
Program Director, IP Programs
Availability: Tues | 2pm – 4pm
Stream 1, 2-1 and 2-2 or other program-related questions
Book a time with Rachel
Cagla Buzluk
Program Manager, AccelerateIP
Availability: Mon & Wed | 11:00AM–12:30PM PT
Stream 3 or other program-related questions
Book a time with Cagla
Please note, this isn’t legal advice but a chance to explore your opportunities within our programs.

IP Pathways: Get your education pre-req for AccelerateIP
2026-05-19 - 2026-06-25 | Virtual
Learn the Fundamentals, Protect your Innovations
A strong intellectual property strategy can give your startup a competitive edge, but knowing when and where to start isn’t always easy. IP Pathways provides founders, executives, and employees with the fundamental knowledge needed to align IP strategy with business growth.
This free, online program is designed for startups and scaleups, offering expert-led sessions, practical case studies, and certification upon completion. Whether you’re new to IP or looking to deepen your understanding, IP Pathways helps you gain the skills to protect and leverage your innovations.
IP Certification
By completing the program and passing the final exam, you’ll receive a certification. That means you will have obtained the required education pre-requisite for Streams 2-2 and Stream 3 in AccelerateIP.

Upcoming Cohorts
Applications are submitted through New Ventures BC.

Flexible, Online 3-Session Series: May 19, 21, 26
Intensive 1-Day Session: June 2 or June 25, 1-4pm
Learn More

Accelerating IP Strategy | Accelerate Okanagan
2026-06-08 16:00 - 18:00
Join Accelerate Okanagan on June 8th for Accelerating Your IP Strategy, a practical session on protecting your ideas and accessing funding to grow your business.
This session coincides with the reopening of funding applications through AccelerateIP and IP Assist.Whether you are entering new markets, raising capital, or negotiating partnerships, understanding your intellectual property rights and options can help you avoid costly missteps and strengthen your competitive position.
Led by Richard Okimaw, a mechanical engineer and a patent and trademark agent registered in Canada and the United States, and Paul Matthews, P.Eng. (AB), a technology commercialization lawyer licensed in both Canada and the United States and a registered professional engineer, both of Lawson Lundell LLP. Together, Rick and Paul bring combined legal and engineering expertise to advising technology companies on patent and trademark protection, commercialization, licensing, and IP strategy. The session is designed for founders and business owners – no prior legal background is required.
Accelerate Okanagan will join the discussion to share the latest funding programs and supports available to help startups grow, including how to access AccelerateIP and IP Assist.

Who Should Attend
Tech founders, entrepreneurs, and anyone building a business who wants to learn how to protect their ideas and find funding support.
What to Expect

Interactive Discussion: Bring your questions and real-world scenarios. The session is structured as a moderated conversation, not a lecture, with plenty of room to engage with the presenters.
Networking, Food & Refreshments: Stay after to connect with other founders, legal advisors, and community members.
Optional 1:1 or Small Group Consults: If you would prefer to ask questions in a more private setting, breakout space will be available.

Location
Accelerate Okanagan HQ Boardroom,
460 Doyle Avenue, #201 Kelowna, BC V1Y 0C2
Register Here
