Most technology founders treat intellectual property as a cost centre — patents, trademarks, and freedom-to-operate work that gets deferred because the legal bills add up fast. That is a mistake, because there are now two programs specifically designed to fund that work: Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) and the federal ElevateIP program.
IPON cost-shares your IP legal, registration, and strategy work — up to 80% — and can layer in IP insurance. ElevateIP delivers IP education, strategy, and implementation support through accelerators and incubators, largely free to eligible startups.
They serve different companies and can be used together. Here is how each works and who qualifies.
Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON)
IPON is a provincial agency that funds and supports IP for Ontario innovators. Beyond funding, it offers benchmarking, education, coaching, and IP insurance (with $1 million of base coverage). Companies from equity-deserving groups can access an additional $25,000/year.
To qualify you generally need to be an Ontario-based, Canadian-controlled SME (under 500 employees) headquartered in Ontario, operating in health tech, life sciences, AI, vehicle technology, mining technology, agri-food technology, or clean-economy technology (advanced manufacturing where related) — and you must own the IP or be its exclusive licensee.
ElevateIP (federal)
ElevateIP helps startups understand, protect, and commercialize their IP. It is delivered through regional accelerators and incubators rather than as a direct cash grant — you access IP strategy development and implementation support (including the costs of protection) through your BAI. Budget 2025 renewed the program with $84.4 million over four years, with an emphasis on under-represented founders.
IPON vs ElevateIP: which fits
- Ontario, revenue-generating SME with a defined IP strategy? IPON's cost-shared funding (up to $300K lifetime) is likely the bigger lever.
- Earlier-stage startup inside an accelerator? ElevateIP gives you strategy and implementation support with little or no cash outlay.
- Both? Many Ontario startups use ElevateIP to build the IP strategy and IPON to fund the filings that follow — just avoid funding the same cost twice.
How IP funding pairs with SR&ED
IP and R&D funding are natural partners: the experimental development you claim under SR&ED is often exactly what creates patentable IP. Sequencing them — claiming the R&D through SR&ED while funding the protection through IPON or ElevateIP — lets you capture both without either reducing the other. We map that sequence for tech clients as part of a full funding plan.
Frequently asked questions
What is Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON)?
IPON is an Ontario provincial agency that cost-shares IP funding and services for Ontario innovators — covering up to 80% of eligible IP costs, up to $100,000/year and $300,000 lifetime, plus IP insurance. It is aimed at Ontario-based, Canadian-controlled SMEs in priority technology sectors.
What is ElevateIP?
ElevateIP is a federal program, renewed in Budget 2025 with $84.4M over four years, that provides IP education, strategy, and implementation support to startups through not-for-profit accelerators and incubators — largely free to eligible companies.
Can I use IPON and ElevateIP together?
Yes. Many Ontario startups use ElevateIP (through their accelerator) to build an IP strategy and IPON to fund the resulting filings. Just avoid funding the same cost under both.
Does IP funding affect my SR&ED claim?
IP funding and SR&ED work through different mechanisms and are generally complementary — the R&D you claim under SR&ED often creates the IP you then protect. The sequencing should be planned so one does not reduce the other.
Sitting on unfunded IP?
We help Canadian tech companies fund their IP through IPON and ElevateIP and sequence it with SR&ED — so your R&D and your IP protection are both paid for.
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