AccelerateIP — a federally funded new program providing comprehensive support around intellectual property (IP), education, and strategy — has formally launched. Better yet, the program is now accepting applications.

Led by New Ventures BC (NVBC) in collaboration with crown corporation Innovate BC, AccelerateIP is targeting startups in British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. The program promises IP education and awareness and the development and implementation of IP strategies.

Applicants for the program can choose from three streams:

• Education and awareness, which includes IP seminars, online modules, and an IP certification program.

• Strategy, a stream that offers mentorship opportunities and up to $25,000 in funds for legal strategy expertise.

• Implementation, the third tier that provides up to $60,000 in funds to cover legal implementation expertise.

“Intellectual property is critical for startup growth and innovation protection,” said Angie Schick, New Ventures BC’s executive director. “AccelerateIP, as a collaborative network-driven initiative, complements NVBC’s ongoing work and educates entrepreneurs about leveraging intellectual assets for business scaling.

“In the soft-launch phase, we’re thrilled that multiple program cohorts are at full capacity, highlighting strong demand for these new initiatives,” she continued. “This is just the start, but we see AccelerateIP as a crucial resource for startups’ growth journeys.”

The program is part of a larger effort by the federal government to improve intellectual property awareness and support in Canada’s innovation ecosystem.