Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON): Trusted IP Services and Supports

Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) drives economic growth for companies by leveraging intellectual property (IP) which will result in securing more jobs and a more prosperous future for the people of Ontario. They work with innovators, businesses, and researchers at various stages of their IP journey and provide access to expert IP education, financial supports and mentorship to help their clients better understand how to:

• maximize the value of IP;
• strengthen their capacity to grow;
• compete in the market;
• enhance research and commercialization outcomes.

Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) is currently accepting applications for trusted IP services and support for Ontario-based businesses and researchers from the artificial intelligence, automotive and medical technology sectors, as well as Ontario Research Funding – Research Excellence (ORF-RE) recipients. Applicants who are accepted as IPON clients are eligible to receive one or more of the following three advanced services:

Financial Support for the Protection and Commercialization of IP

Available for assessments and IP audits, IP valuation, IP strategy assessments and IP registrations such as new or divisional patent filings, trademarks or copyright registrations. Support will also extend to application of IP in the commercial context including support for IP agreements (NDA, licences) or contracts with high IP impact (MSA’s, partnership agreements or data management plans).

Micro-credentialing

A micro-credential is available to eligible clients who complete IPON’s recommended basic IP education courses, as well as live learning sessions with IP thought leaders. During the 2–3 hour live learning session, IP experts will facilitate class discussion, provide practical guidance and case study review.

IP Mentorship

Through direct one-on-one mentorship, IPON provides access to independent IP experts who support clients to help determine their IP needs, understand how they can develop IP strategies and then manage and commercialize their IP in new ways.

Applications are open until February 22, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. EST.*

*NOTE: All inventions arising from research activities at the University of Guelph must be reported to Research Innovation Office (RIO), whether inventors wish to own their invention or assign it to the U of G. Research personnel interested in IPON can reach out to Steve DeBrabandere, Director, Industry Liaison & Technology Transfer (sdebrab@uoguelph.ca), or Mike Fowler, Technology Transfer Manager (michaelf@uoguelph.ca), at RIO.

Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee application approval. For more information on eligibility and the application process, check out IPON's program guide.