How much funding can be received?

Become a member and get access to a network of resources as well as hands-on mentorship. This will help you tackle unique challenges in scaling up your business and commercializing your science-and-technology innovations.

Financing terms and conditions

The SFU VentureLabs AccelerateIP program offers structured financial support aimed at assisting startups in managing and safeguarding their intellectual property effectively. Financial assistance varies based on specific needs related to education, strategic planning, and implementation of IP protection measures.

Education and Awareness: Foundational IP training support.
Strategy development: 1:1 mentorship and coverage of up to $25,000 for eligible legal strategy costs.
Implementation: Financial support to cover up to $60,000 for eligible legal implementation costs.

Eligible projects & activities

SFU VentureLabs offers financial support to protect, manage, and leverage intellectual property to foster innovation. Qualified companies can engage in projects that cover various aspects of intellectual property management.

Education and Awareness: Gain foundational intellectual property training.
Strategy: Receive 1:1 mentorship and financial support for legal strategy development.
Implementation: Access funding to cover eligible legal implementation costs.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 15,000

Creating a legal strategy for a cooperative's compliance with new labor laws

$ 25,000

Implementing a legal framework for social enterprise tax compliance and contractual obligations

$ 55,000

Developing and implementing an IP strategy for a startup's technology innovation

$ 20,000

Developing a legal strategy for patent protection of a new biotechnology innovation

$ 50,000

Implementing a compliance strategy for health and safety regulations in a small manufacturing firm

$ 60,000

Setting up a new legal framework for a general partnership's operational compliance

Eligibility criteria of the SFU VentureLabs program

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific criteria related to the company and its geographic location.

The company must be a startup based in British Columbia, Yukon, Nunavut, or Northwest Territories.
The startup must be involved in innovative science and technology endeavors.
The company should be looking to protect, manage, and leverage intellectual property.

Who is eligible?

The AccelerateIP program is available to innovative startups in British Columbia (BC), Yukon, Nunavut, and Northwest Territories that are looking to grow and protect their intellectual property (IP).

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

This grant supports startups and companies in British Columbia, Yukon, Nunavut, and Northwest Territories in key areas of intellectual property management and protection. It offers targeted financial support and training to empower businesses to effectively leverage their intellectual assets.

Gain foundational intellectual property (IP) training and education.
Receive 1:1 mentorship for developing legal IP strategies, with funding covering up to $25,000 of eligible costs.
Access financial support to cover up to $60,000 of eligible costs for IP legal implementation.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is targeted at science and technology-based startups located in certain regions of Canada. The eligible geographical areas include territories primarily in the north and west of the country.

British Columbia
Yukon
Nunavut
Northwest Territories

Eligibility criteria of the SFU VentureLabs program

There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The program provides financial support for protecting, managing, and leveraging intellectual property of startups.

Education and Awareness: Gain foundational IP training
Strategy: Get 1:1 mentorship and up to $25,000 of eligible costs covered for legal strategy development
Implementation: Access financial support to cover up to $60,000 of eligible legal implementation costs

How to apply to the SFU VentureLabs program

Initial Contact

Send an inquiry to for more information about the AccelerateIP program.

Application Form

Visit the official website and click on the "Apply now" button to access the application form.

Additional information

Additional information worth knowing for applicants to the AccelerateIP program:

The program offers three tailored streams focusing on different aspects of intellectual property protection and management, providing comprehensive support for startups at various stages.
Education and Awareness: foundational IP training is available to support the initial knowledge base of participants regarding intellectual property.
Strategy stream provides personalized mentorship, ideal for tailoring IP strategies to the specific needs of the company.
Implementation stream allows startups to access significant financial support, specifically covering up to $60,000, easing the financial burden of legal implementation costs.

Contact Simon Fraser University VentureLabs

accelerateip@venturelabs.ca

Apply to this program

Tax credit for R&D in British Columbia