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Source verified July 12, 2026
Intellectual Property Ontario
IP support and funding for Ontario applicants
Latest source updateLast Update: June 2, 2026Latest change: IPON’s site now highlights an upcoming June 10, 2026 event and adds updated guidance on how to apply.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: June 2, 2026
Latest change: IPON’s site now highlights an upcoming June 10, 2026 event and adds updated guidance on how to apply.
IPON page updates
IPON’s homepage now includes a new June 10, 2026 event promotion and updated application guidance, including a step-by-step “How to Apply to IPON” resource. Some supporting links and homepage news items were also refreshed. The core eligibility rules, funding terms, and portal contact details appear unchanged.
Funding available
$ 125,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
Ontario-based small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), entrepreneurs, and researchers.
See full eligibility
Overview
Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) supports Ontario-based SMEs, entrepreneurs, and researchers with funding up to $25,000 per year through Tier 1 or up to $100,000 per year through Tier 2 to protect and commercialize intellectual property. Eligible clients can access IP education, insurance, and funding for IP strategy, registration, and surveys or audits.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Optimize production processes
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 125,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 500 employees maximum
Audience
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- IP education, benchmarking, coaching, events, and workshops.
- IP funding for forward-looking IP work.
- IP insurance for eligible clients.
Documents Needed
- Completed online application form.
Official resources
Program guide
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Ontario-based small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), entrepreneurs, and researchers.
- Businesses in health technology, life sciences, artificial intelligence, vehicle technology, mining technology, agriculture and food technology, cleantech, or advanced manufacturing related to those sectors.
Who is not eligible
- Organizations not based in Ontario.
- Businesses with 500 or more employees.
- Companies outside the eligible sectors.
Eligible expenses
- IP agreements, including non-disclosure agreements, licenses, master service agreements, and partnership agreements.
- IP surveys and audits.
- IP strategy development.
- IP registration.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Litigation costs.
- Taxes, subscriptions, and administrative costs.
- Past work.
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Selection criteria
- IP readiness.
- Business stage.
How to apply
- Visit the apply page to submit an application.
- The form must be completed and submitted by an authorized employee of the organization applying to become a client of IPON.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
- Review time varies depending on application volume and the information provided.
- All applicants are contacted with the result once the review is complete.
- IPON issues funding after receiving an invoice from the client’s service provider for completed work, and the invoice must correspond to a statement of work previously approved by IPON.
- After the client has paid their contribution of at least 20% plus all applicable taxes, IPON issues its co-share directly to the service provider.
Additional information
- The application is assessed solely on the information provided in the form; additional or supplemental information will not be considered.
- If you are deemed ineligible and want to submit additional information, you must submit a new application.
- Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee application approval.
- The application form is confidential and takes no more than 30 minutes to complete.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Intellectual Property Ontario Program
What is the Intellectual Property Ontario?
Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) supports Ontario-based SMEs, entrepreneurs, and researchers with funding up to $25,000 per year through Tier 1 or up to $100,000 per year through Tier 2 to protect and commercialize intellectual property. Eligible clients can access IP education, insurance, and funding for IP strategy, registration, and surveys or audits.
How much funding can be received?
Intellectual Property Ontario Funds up to 80% of admissible expenses, capped at $125,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Intellectual Property Ontario program?
To be eligible for the Intellectual Property Ontario program, you must:
Ontario-based SMEs with fewer than 500 employees, entrepreneurs, or researchers in health technology, life sciences, artificial intelligence, vehicle technology, mining technology, agriculture and food technology, cleantech, or advanced manufacturing related to those sectors.
Applicants must have their head office and registered business address in Ontario and operate there long term.
Applicants must own IP or IP rights, intend to commercialize or monetize them in Canada, and demonstrate Ontario benefit and financial capacity.
What expenses are eligible under Intellectual Property Ontario?
IP education, benchmarking, coaching, events, and workshops.
IP funding for forward-looking IP work.
IP insurance for eligible clients.
Who can I contact for more information about the Intellectual Property Ontario?
You can contact Government of Ontario by email at info@ip-ontario.ca.
Where is the Intellectual Property Ontario available?
The Intellectual Property Ontario program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Intellectual Property Ontario a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Intellectual Property Ontario is a Grant and Funding