Protecting intellectual property in today’s tech landscape
In today’s rapidly evolving technological world, legally safeguarding your intellectual property (IP) is not just necessary, it’s empowering. It’s about protecting your ideas and scaling your business. That’s why the North Forge ElevateIP Program was launched in November 2023. This federally funded program is designed to equip Canadian start-ups like yours with the essential resources and tools to understand, develop, and leverage their intellectual property. The North Forge ElevateIP Program offers funding of up to $100,000 per start-up (in Manitoba and Saskatchewan) for legal fees associated with intellectual property strategy and assets, with the lawyer of your choice. This is your opportunity to level up your IP strategy and make it a cornerstone of your business success.
North Forge Technology Exchange is an incubator accelerator and a powerhouse entrepreneur community fuelling Manitoba’s innovative science-based, technology-enabled, and advanced manufacturing start-ups. They curate resources to help entrepreneurs solve problems in real-time and reduce the cost and risk of innovation. With resources such as the ElevateIP Program, start-ups working with North Forge gain the support needed to thrive and become successful businesses.
Intellectual property refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions, designs, symbols, names, and everything in between. Many businesses gravitate toward patents when filing legal protections to safeguard their intellectual property, but four other divisions are often overlooked; trademarks, copyrights, industrial design, and trade secrets.
Boost your growth – IP-aware SMEs were 2x more likely to see high growth within three years. (Source: IP Canada Report 2019)
Your business is more likely to have multiple intellectual property assets. Don’t leave your intellectual property on the back burner. Strategizing your intellectual property can be a daunting task, but with North Forge’s ElevateIP program, creating an IP strategy has never been more accessible.
Determine how to monetize your IP, create a budget for IP sustainability, and file IP applications with the help of North Forge. They will assist in partnering you with the right IP specialist and be with you along the journey to offsetting the costs of developing and strategizing your IP assets.
To be eligible your business must be incorporated or registered in Manitoba or Saskatchewan, be less than 15 years old, have fewer than 500 full-time employees, and have under $10 million in annual revenue.
North Forge is currently accepting applications, apply now. Please visit northforge.ca/elevateIP for more information.
*North Forge is an ElevateIP Recipient, a national program of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada, leading in intellectual property support for startups in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
