Program Streams
IP Education and Awareness: Apply for an in-depth cohort or take part in other foundational IP training.
IP Strategy: Apply for 1:1 mentorship and/or up to $25,000 towards select legal costs for IP strategy development.
IP Implementation: Apply for up to $60,000 towards select legal costs for IP implementation.
Program & Stream Eligibility
Each stream has progressive eligibility requirements. The general eligibility for the program is:
- A startup based in BC, Yukon, Northwest Territories or Nunavut
- Fewer than 500 full-time employees
- Have an innovative technology and/or operate in the tech sector
- Own or have the rights to use your IP in Canada
- Registered non-profit organizations that meet the above may also apply
Each stream will also ask questions to help assess your IP readiness and knowledge.
Please see full program guidelines below. Note: program guidelines may be subject to change.
General FAQ
Does it matter how many years my company has been a startup? Is there an “age” cap?
Our current guidelines do not have an age restriction for startup. That said, we will be weighing all factors of applications, including age of startup, revenue, and maturity in relation to tech sector when determining which companies may be awarded funding or will make the best use of funding.
Can my startup participate if we are incorporated in another province but have a significant presence in BC, Yukon, NWT or Nunavut?
Our definition of eligibility is for a company to based in BC, Yukon, NWT, or Nunavut. It is possible your company may have incorporated in another province, but have the majority of its operations in BC. We will look at these on a case-by-case to determine if you are best served by AccelerateIP or on of the other ElevateIP recipients across Canada.
Is there a program partner in my region?
Program partners and collaborators are located throughout BC, Yukon, NWT and Nunavut. Please see our list here.
Can I apply to any of the streams or do I have to do them in order?
You don’t have to do them in order, but you must meet eligibility requirements for each stream to qualify. We do recommend if you plan to complete Stream 2-2 that you complete it prior to Stream 3, as it will inform your decisions in Stream 3.
Can I apply to multiple streams simultaneously?
You can, but you need a strong strategy to apply to Stream 3, so likely you want to complete Stream 2 first.
Can I file an international patent?
Yes, you can file an international patent.
Can a startup get support for in-house activities related to IP?
No, that is not an eligible expense. The program is only able to pay service providers directly.
How does the co-investment structure work?
The startup must pay either 25% or 10% to the service provider for services. AccelerateIP can cover up to $25,000 or $60,000 per stream. If the bill is higher than the max amount AccelerateIP can cover, the startup must pay the rest to the service provider.
