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IP Assist Program

Invest Ottawa, Launch Lab, and Spark Centre are rolling out IRAP’s IP Assist program designed to support the education, strategy, and planning for IP needs for early-stage and growth ventures in Eastern Ontario.

In partnership with IRAP and IP Assist, the program will provide a two-step approach towards leveraging IP to support company growth.

IP Education & Awareness

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Tech firms have access to a 2-hour free consultation to help them betterunderstand IP and how their innovations can be transformed into valuable assets. You can choose to workwith our internal IP Advisor, Tony Orsi, your own IP Expert or choose from our IP Expert Referral List.

IP Landscape Brief

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Tech firms receive services valued up to $10K towards the development of an IPLandscape Brief that supports the firm’s business goals. Strategic IP Landscape Briefs* provide an analysis of the company’s innovation that reveals business, scientific or technological trends, typically with a focuson a single geographic region, industry or technology at a point in time. The tech firm is required to pay a $250 administration fee upon approval.

*Landscape Briefs do not provide a legal opinion

In addition to these three steps, tech firms will have access to an additional 2-hour free consultation with Spark Centre’s IP Advisor, Tony Orsi from Bereskin and Parr, to address any concerns or opportunities regarding their IP.

Why Take Part In The IP Assist Program?

With a worldwide competitive landscape where innovative tech firms from around the world compete to get market share, the role of IP is becoming an increasingly important factor of success. Having a basic understanding of the threats and opportunities of IP is fundamental to attract resources and differentiate a company in the eyes of clients. Even if you are at an early stage of developing your product, taking advantage of the education and awareness part of the IP Program, the 2-hour free consultation, will help you to assess your current status and what the next steps are for your IP strategy. Here are some examples of how IP could impact some areas of your business that you may not have considered:

Marketing

  • If the company has trademarks, they can include those in their marketing material. This can be helpful in protecting your brand.

Sales

  • A unique IP can be a strong advantage for differentiating products from competition as it makes it harder for competitors to copy their products.

Human Resources

  • Confidentiality and IP ownership agreements with employees so the company owns the IP they developed.

Accounting

  • The expenses for IP can be accrued.

Revenue Generation

  • Patents can be licensed to other companies and can generate additional revenue. Patents can also increase the value of an exit.

Investment

  • Ownership of IP property can represent a plus for an investor considering investing in your company. The ownership of your IP can also be a key element of the due diligence process.

How to take part in the IP Assist program

Eligibility Requirements: You are an IRAP client that is innovative technology focused, incorporated, profit-oriented small or medium-sized business located in Eastern Ontario with fewer than 500 full time employees. Learn more and apply below.

If you have any questions, please contact: [email protected].
Click Here to Apply Today for the IP Assist Program
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