You’re building a product, preparing to launch, or thinking about your next stage of growth.
But have you thought about the intellectual property (IP) behind what you’re building?
For many startups and growing companies, IP becomes important at exactly this point in the journey — when a product is becoming commercially viable, competitors are entering the market, investors are asking questions, or the company is preparing to scale.
Through the ElevateIP program, Spark Centre helps innovators and SMEs develop and implement IP strategies that align with their broader commercialization and growth plans.
Rather than treating IP as something to think about after the business is already established, ElevateIP can help ventures make more informed decisions while they are building and preparing to grow.
Two Stages of Support
For Spark Centre clients, there are two particularly relevant stages of ElevateIP support.
Tier II: Build Your IP Strategy — Commercializing within the next 6 months?
Tier II is intended for companies that are relatively advanced in product development but have had little or no previous exposure to IP strategy.
At this stage, you may be asking:
What have we actually built? What should we protect? And how should IP fit into our commercialization strategy?
Tier II support can help eligible companies develop a more informed approach to IP by considering their IP assets, potential risks, and appropriate protection strategies. The goal isn’t simply to file for IP protection: it is to develop an IP strategy that makes sense for the business. This can help founders make better decisions about where to invest resources and how IP fits into their plans for bringing the product to market.
Tier III: Put Your IP Strategy Into Action — Ready to commercialize?
Tier III is intended for companies that have a product or service ready for commercialization and are further along in their business planning. Companies considered for this stage should have identified IP priorities or protection needs and have a defined 12–24 month plan covering commercialization, revenue growth, and hiring.
At this point, the question changes:
We know what matters. How do we put our IP strategy into action?
Eligible companies may be able to access co-investment support for eligible IP strategy implementation activities. This can help reduce some of the financial barriers involved in implementing an IP strategy as the business prepares to enter the market and grow.
Why Think About IP Now?
IP shouldn’t sit in a legal silo. For an early-stage company, IP can be connected to how you build your product, enter markets, work with partners, raise investment, and create a competitive advantage.
Thinking about IP early can help you:
• Identify valuable IP before commercialization
• Understand what may need protection
• Reduce the risk of overlooking important IP considerations
• Align IP decisions with your commercialization strategy
• Make more informed decisions about where to invest your resources
The right IP strategy is not necessarily about protecting everything. It is about understanding what matters to your business and deciding what should be protected, managed or leveraged.
Which Tier Might Be Right for You?
Potential Fit
Your Current Stage
Potential Fit
Your Current Stage
A simple way to remember the difference:
Tier II → Figure out your IP strategy.
Tier III → Put your IP strategy into action.
Could ElevateIP Be Right for Your Company?
If you’re approaching commercialization and haven’t yet developed an IP strategy, Tier II may be an opportunity to start that conversation. If you’re ready to go to market and need to implement your IP strategy, Tier III may be the next step.
Spark Centre clients interested in ElevateIP can connect with our team to discuss their stage, IP needs, and potential eligibility.
Eligibility, assessment, and available support are subject to ElevateIP program requirements and Spark Centre’s intake process.
About Spark Centre
Spark Centre is Durham Region’s leading technology and innovation business incubator. We offer accessible entrepreneurship support to early-stage and growing technology and innovation ventures through advisory services, mentorship, funding connections, co-working space, educational programs, and ecosystem-building activities. Click here to learn more about our various program options!
