Don’t leave your intellectual property at risk

ElevateIP Alberta gives you access to the education, support, and resources you need to protect your startup’s intellectual property (IP) and grow your business.

 

Apply Now

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What is ElevateIP Alberta?

ElevateIP Alberta is delivered in partnership by Innovate Calgary and Economic Development Lethbridge. Our core mission is to help founders understand, leverage and protect their intellectual property with the support of business accelerators and incubators (BAIs) and Ecosystem Navigators (ENs).

Why protect your IP?

As a startup, safeguarding your IP is crucial for staying competitive. It prevents others from copying your ideas, builds your brand, attracts investors, and can generate revenue through partnerships.

Protecting your IP is the foundation for long-term success.

Develop, Strengthen, and Implement Your
IP Strategy

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Understanding the Role of IP in Your Business Strategy

Expand your understanding of IP and learn how to identify your valuable ideas and creations, then safeguard them for the future.

ElevateIP Alberta offers opportunities to learn online and through webinars, expert panels, and collaboration with the Alberta BAI ecosystem.

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Develop a Solid IP Strategy

Developing an IP strategy is vital for aligning business goals with your IP endeavours. An effective IP strategy can help you prioritize your plan to protect your IP as you grow your business, including how to…

  • Determine how to monetize your IP
  • Create a budget for IP sustainability
  • Determine third-party rights
  • Develop non-registerable IP protection strategies
  • Prevent IP disclosure

ElevateIP Alberta will cover up to 100% of approved costs (less taxes) up to $15,000

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Implement Your IP Strategy

Implementing IP means putting your strategy into action to protect your company’s IP. IP implementation activities can include but are not limited to…

  • Trademark search
  • Patentability analysis
  • Filing of IP applications
  • Filing and registration for formal IP applications
  • Risk assessments

ElevateIP Alberta will cover up to 65-90% of approved costs (less taxes) up to $100,000

Since its launch on April 1, 2023, ElevateIP Alberta has garnered significant interest from startups across the province. Due to the high volume of applications, processing times have extended.

We currently advise applicants to anticipate a processing period of 8-12 weeks from the time of initial submission

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Registered or headquartered in Alberta
  • Fewer than 500 employees
  • Fewer than 10 years in business
  • Have a high growth potential, innovation backed business model
  • Less than $10M annual recurring revenue
  • Less than $1M in dilutive funding raised
  • Associated with an Alberta-based business accelerator or incubator

The three E’s of ElevateIP Alberta

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Educate

Educate startups and BAIs on IP to increase the accessibility of IP support and encourage the exchange of best practices.

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Empower

Empower underrepresented groups by offering IP support to foster equitable accessibility and inclusivity.

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Elevate

Elevate Alberta startups through enhanced IP support, tailored to individual needs to enable rapid scaling and sustainable growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is intellectual property (IP)?

IP refers to a category of legally recognized rights that are granted to individuals or entities for their creations or inventions. These rights are designed to protect and incentivize innovation and creativity. IP are creations of the mind.

For example, IP can refer to inventions, artistic works, symbols, designs, names, images, software, manufacturing processes, and much more. There are several types of IP such as patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, industrial designs, and informal IP.

Which activities are not eligible for funding through ElevateIP Alberta?

ElevateIP Alberta is unable to fund the following: taxes or costs associated with taxes, litigation costs, ongoing licensing fees, infringement-related costs, costs associated with the repayment of existing debt, the purchase of assets, entertainment expenses, and fines or penalties.

Are startups required to use law firms assigned by the ElevateIP Alberta program?

ElevateIP Alberta curates a list of approved vendors to support your IP needs. If you are working with an IP agent or lawyer, you can request to have them join the ElevateIP Alberta program.

IP strategy must be completed by an Alberta-based provider. IP implementation can be completed by a non-Alberta provider with approval.

Can I still participate in ElevateIP Alberta if I don’t meet the program requirements?

ElevateIP Alberta also provides educational opportunities geared toward enhancing IP knowledge within the ecosystem. These workshops are offered at no cost and are open to all interested individuals. Please note that ElevateIP Alberta funding is only available to applicants who have been accepted into the program.

 

ElevateIP Alberta is part of a national program. If you are not based in Alberta and do not meet this requirement, please check with your regional ElevateIP program.

Is there a cost associated with participating in the ElevateIP Alberta program?

Companies do not have to pay to access ElevateIP Alberta funding. However, there are requirements in the application that might cost you money. This includes the cost of paying a lawyer to verify your dilutive funding by confirming a CAP Table. Additionally, entrepreneurs are required to pay for the taxes and their co-investment amount (10-35%) for IP Implementation.

Ready to protect your IP?
We’re ready to help.

ElevateIP Alberta is delivered on behalf of the University of Calgary, in partnership by Innovate Calgary and Economic Development Lethbridge