Open
Source verified October 7, 2026
AccelerateIP
IP education, mentorship and funding for startups
Latest source updateLast Update: October 9, 2026Latest change: The Stream 2 IP Mentorship application is now closed, and the next intake is listed for December 2026.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: October 9, 2026
Latest change: The Stream 2 IP Mentorship application is now closed, and the next intake is listed for December 2026.
Stream 2 intake closed
On the Apply for IP education, strategy & implementation support page, Stream 2 IP Mentorship changed from open until spaces fill to currently closed. The next intake is now listed for December 2026, replacing the prior Sept. 1, 2026 timing shown on the page. Other application streams on the page were not changed by this update.
Funding available
$ 60,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon, Canada
Overview
AccelerateIP supports innovative startups in BC, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut with education, mentorship, and financial support for protecting and implementing intellectual property. It offers up to $25,000 for IP strategy development and up to $60,000 for IP implementation costs.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Optimize production processes
- Develop workforce skills
- Start a business
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 60,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 500 employees maximum
Audience
- Startups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Higher Education
- Research
- Law and Legal Services
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
- Business Associations
Target groups
- Rural / Remote communities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Regional
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Activities funded
- IP education and awareness activities, including expert-led IP training, webinars, asynchronous online modules, workshops, programs, conferences, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities.
- 1:1 IP mentorship.
- IP strategy development activities, including IP audits, IP budget review, IP competitive analysis, IP strategy, IP valuation, analysis of IP landscaping, common contracts and document templates, freedom to operate or infringement searches, legal contractual analysis, out-licensing strategy development, patentability analysis, prior art search, and trademark and branding strategies and clearance searches.
- IP implementation activities, including patent application preparation and filing, patent prosecution, trademark application preparation and filing, trademark prosecution, industrial design application preparation and filing, industrial design prosecution, copyright registration, and legal contractual drafting for commercialization of IP opportunities.
Documents Needed
- A quote from a legal service provider.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Startups based in BC, Yukon, Northwest Territories or Nunavut.
- Startups with fewer than 500 full-time employees.
- Startups with innovative technology and/or operating in the tech sector.
- Registered non-profit organizations that meet the above requirements.
Who is not eligible
Some types of companies may not be eligible for this grant:
- Non-technology-based companies
- Companies not located in the specified regions (BC, Yukon, Nunavut, Northwest Territories)
Eligible expenses
- Legal costs for IP strategy development, up to $25,000.
- Legal costs for IP implementation, up to $60,000.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Litigation costs, including enforcement of IP rights against a third party.
- In-house IP activities.
- Quotes charged by legal service providers.
Eligible geographic areas
- British Columbia
- Yukon
- Northwest Territories
- Nunavut
Selection criteria
- Application quality and effort.
- Demonstrated need for program services.
- Ability to benefit from the program.
- Potential Commercial Value of IP.
- Priority may be given to majority-owned by underrepresented groups, priority industries, existing clients of AccelerateIP program partners or collaborators, and partner referral.
How to apply
- Click the Register button to create an account.
- Validate your email address.
- Answer eligibility questions.
- Click on programs, find the program you want to apply to, and start your application.
- Complete the basic info, the initial IP assessment, and the application form for the specific program.
- Submit your application by clicking the Submit button.
Processing and Agreement
- Stream 2 Strategy supports is reviewed by the programs team and a selection committee.
- Stream 3 Implementation supports is reviewed by the programs team and a selection committee.
- Applicants receive an email to notify them of their application’s status: rejected, incomplete, approved, conditionally approved, or waitlisted.
- If the company is not ready, it may be asked to complete some education or mentorship and reapply.
Additional information
- AccelerateIP is an ElevateIP Recipient, a national program of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.
- The program is being delivered by New Ventures BC (NVBC), with Innovate BC as its prime delivery collaborator.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the AccelerateIP Program
What is the AccelerateIP?
AccelerateIP supports innovative startups in BC, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut with education, mentorship, and financial support for protecting and implementing intellectual property. It offers up to $25,000 for IP strategy development and up to $60,000 for IP implementation costs.
How much funding can be received?
AccelerateIP Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $60,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The program is accepting continuous intake
Who is eligible for the AccelerateIP program?
To be eligible for the AccelerateIP program, you must:
Be a startup based in BC, Yukon, Northwest Territories or Nunavut.
Have fewer than 500 full-time employees and operate in innovative technology and/or the tech sector.
Own or have the rights to use your IP in Canada; registered non-profit organizations that meet the above may also apply.
What expenses are eligible under AccelerateIP?
IP education and awareness activities, including expert-led IP training, webinars, asynchronous online modules, workshops, programs, conferences, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities.
1:1 IP mentorship.
IP strategy development activities, including IP audits, IP budget review, IP competitive analysis, IP strategy, IP valuation, analysis of IP landscaping, common contracts and document templates, freedom to operate or infringement searches, legal contractual analysis, out-licensing strategy development, patentability analysis, prior art search, and trademark and branding strategies and clearance searches.
IP implementation activities, including patent application preparation and filing, patent prosecution, trademark application preparation and filing, trademark prosecution, industrial design application preparation and filing, industrial design prosecution, copyright registration, and legal contractual drafting for commercialization of IP opportunities.
Who can I contact for more information about the AccelerateIP?
You can contact New Ventures BC (NVBC) by email at accelerateip@newventuresbc.com.
Where is the AccelerateIP available?
The AccelerateIP program is available the province of British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon.