IP Assist
Springboard deliverers IP supports for start-ups and SMEs in Atlantic Canada, connecting them with IP expertise and funding.
If you run a start-up or a small or medium sized enterprise (SME), there are several programs available to chart your IP journey. Businesses must be headquartered in Atlantic Canada in order to be eligible.
Springboard is delivering the popular National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) IP Assist. IRAP is an innovation assistance program for small and medium-sized businesses. IP Assist is available to IRAP clients, specifically for them to develop an IP strategy. Through this program, SMEs will have access to the following supports.
Contact a member of our team with questions.
NRC IRAP IP Assist – education & strategy
Level 1 – IP Awareness:
Provides your business with access to our network of IP advisors, resources and partner organizations so you can increase your knowledge of IP best practices and better understand how to leverage and safeguard your innovations.
Level 2 – IP Strategy:
Provides IRAP supported SMEs with a written document from an IP service provider that defines a comprehensive and prioritized IP action plan. It’s beneficial for firms to have a clearly defined IP strategy to help them understand the technical and competitive landscape of their business relating to IP and can also potentially help them with attracting investment. The value of this support is roughly $18,000 with a copayment of $500 from the SME.
IP Assist is available to IRAP clients, to help them to develop an IP strategy. SMEs that are not IRAP clients but who want to apply for IP Assist are advised to contact NRC IRAP by calling 1-877-994-4727 or visit the IRAP site.
Atlantic IP Advantage – education, IP strategy & implementation
The Atlantic IP Advantage flagship program provides education and awareness to start-ups that are linked to a business accelerator or incubator in Atlantic Canada. It is funded through the Government of Canada’s Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Elevate IP program.
Start-ups working with a business accelerator or incubator can apply for up to $50,000 in funding to develop an IP strategy. There is an additional $25,000 available to implement the strategy (eg. filings). Both funding opportunities cover 90 percent of total costs with the start-up covering 10 percent.
To learn more about IP supports, contact the Atlantic IP Advantage team:
• Libby Carew, Regional IP Counsellor for Newfoundland & Labrador
• Shelley Hessian, Regional IP Counsellor for Nova Scotia
• Andre Pelletier, Regional IP Counsellor for New Brunswick
• Niraj Shukla, Director, Atlantic IP Advantage