Stream 2-2: IP Strategy

Strategy – Costs for legal support

If you’re ready to apply for legal support and further develop your IP strategy, this is the right stream for you. Apply for the potential opportunity to receive up to $25,000 to cover the costs of working with a legal service provider.

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

Eligibility

All startups that meet basic eligibility requirements are eligible to register or apply.

We also will check that you have:

A registered business number in BC, Yukon, NWT or Nunavut (incorporation not required, but preferred)

You will also have to meet 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.

Eligible activities include (but are not limited to):

Analysis of IP landscaping
Common contracts and Document Templates ie: employment agreements, contractor agreements, IP assignment or transfer agreements or NDAs
Freedom to operate or infringement searches
IP audits, budget review, competitive analysis, strategy, portfolio valuation
Legal contractual analysis, ie: commercialization of IP opportunities
Out-licensing strategy development
Patentability analysis
Prior art search
Trademark and branding strategies and clearance searches

How to apply

To apply, 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. Your service provider must be registered with us or apply to be registered.

(Quotes should be provided free of charge. Please contact us if this is not the case).

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.

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

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.

All proposed work must start AFTER April 1, 2026. AccelerateIP cannot accept any applications for work that occurred prior to April 1, 2026 for this intake.

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