Springboard to help deliver NRC- IRAP IP Assist Program in Atlantic Canada
Program helps start-ups and SMEs get IP strategies in place
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador – Springboard Atlantic, a member-based network of 19 academic institutions in Atlantic Canada, is pleased to announce that it is receiving funding support from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP), to help deliver its IP Assist program. Springboard will continue to deliver its flagship IP program; Atlantic IP Advantage.
NRC IRAP is an innovation assistance program for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). Their IP Assist program is available to eligible NRC IRAP clients and provides IP services to help SMEs gain high level IP education and develop an IP strategy that can help safeguard and leverage their innovations. There are three stages of IP Assist. Springboard will deliver Level 1 (IP Knowledge and Awareness) and Level 2 (IP Strategy Development). The program will continue to roll out according to NRC IRAP guidelines and with expert IP service providers.
“This puts another tool in our kit to be able to support IP strategy development with start-ups and SMEs,” said Niraj Shukla, Director of Springboard IP Advantage, “We are pleased to deliver the IP Assist program to NRC IRAP’s high growth innovative firms in Atlantic Canada. We are seeing high demand for IP education and strategy, so the timing works well,” he added.
How Springboard supports IP Assist delivery
SMEs who are already an NRC IRAP client can contact their NRC IRAP ITA Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA) to vet their eligibility for IP Assist. It is expected that SMEs will complete Level 1 before proceeding to Level 2. Completion of Level 2 delivers to firms an executable IP strategy that is aligned with the SME’s business strategy and objectives.
SMEs that are not NRC IRAP clients but who are interested in assessing eligibility for IP Assist support are encouraged to contact NRC IRAP by calling 1-877-994-4727 or visiting the NRC IRAP IP Assist website.
Springboard’s Atlantic IP Advantage Program
Springboard will continue to offer its IP Advantage program which assists start-ups in the development and implementation of IP strategies. It is funded through the Government of Canada’s Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Elevate IP program and launched in July 2023. Over 90 start-ups in Atlantic Canada have received funding for IP support to date.
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 execute the strategy. Both funding opportunities cover 90 percent of total costs with the start-up covering 10 percent.
To learn more the Atlantic IP Advantage, please visit the following link.
The contacts for the Atlantic IP Advantage Program are as follows:
- Niraj Shukla, Director, Atlantic IP Advantage
- Libby Carew, Regional IP Counsellor for Newfoundland & Labrador
- Shelley Hessian, Regional IP Counsellor for Nova Scotia
- Andre Pelletier, Regional IP Counsellor for New Brunswick
About Springboard Atlantic
Springboard is a network-based organization of the 19 universities and colleges in Atlantic Canada. The network is designed to grow Atlantic Canada’s innovation economy through collaboration among post-secondary institutions and industry.
