Elevate Your 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.

Our application process consists of several stages, each with its own timeline:

• Determine Your Eligibility (Self-Directed):
  Review our eligibility requirements online to determine if your company is eligible.

• Application Submission Window (Approximately 4 Weeks):
  Each application submission window will be open for approximately 4 weeks. During this period you can complete your application, ensuring you submit it prior to the window closing.

• Application Review, Award Notification & Onboarding (Approximately 2 Weeks after the application window closes):
  Once all required application documents are submitted, the review process begins and typically takes up to two weeks.

• IP Strategy Stage (Approximately 12 Weeks):
  Applicants are given 12 weeks to work with their service provider to develop and submit their IP strategy. Once submitted, the strategy undergoes review by the ElevateIP Alberta IP Review Team prior to completing the project.

• IP Strategy Review Stage (Approximately 4 Weeks):
  IP Strategies are reviewed by the ElevateIP Alberta IP Review team prior to completing the project. IP Reviews are completed within 4 weeks after being submitted to ElevateIP Alberta.

• IP Implementation Stage (Approximately 12 Weeks):
  After the IP strategy is approved, applicants have 12 weeks to work with their service provider to execute the IP implementation activities.

• Invoicing & Project Completion (Approximately 4 Weeks):
  IP Implementation invoices are reviewed by the ElevateIP Alberta IP Review team prior to completing the project. Invoices are typically approved for payment within 4 weeks after being submitted to ElevateIP Alberta.

This timeline ensures that each stage is thorough and supports the successful development and protection of your intellectual property.

Funding Streams are highly competitive with projects selected based on strength of applications.

• IP Strategy Development:
  • ElevateIP Alberta will work with you to determine your IP strategy needs, and can fund up to 100% of approved costs (less taxes) up to $10,000.
  • Access to maximum funding is not guaranteed; it depends on a thorough evaluation of the request and demonstrated need.
  • Projects must be completed within 90 days with the IP Strategy submitted for review by the ElevateIP Alberta IP Review team.

• IP Implementation:
  • Most competitive funding stream that requires both strong business and IP strategies.
  • Three new grant types are available under IP Implementation:
    • Patent and Portfolio Stream: Funding for new patent filings and portfolio development activities.
    • Conversion Stream: Funding for the conversion and advancement of existing provisional, PCT, or patent applications.
    • Activation Stream: Funding for non-patent intellectual property protection, commercialization, and implementation activities and well as early-stage patent-related activities (excluding filing and registration).
  • Projects must be completed within 90 days of approval.
  • The maximum cumulative funding is $100,000, which must be allocated across multiple projects, each requiring separate approval.
  • Access to maximum funding is not guaranteed; funding of up to $100,000 covers both IP strategy and implementation.

ElevateIP Alberta provides educational opportunities geared toward enhancing IP knowledge within the ecosystem. Online education modules and workshops are offered at no cost and are open to all interested individuals. Please note that ElevateIP Alberta funding is only available to eligible 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.

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.

ElevateIP Alberta maintains a curated list of approved vendors to support your IP needs. If you’re working with an IP agent or lawyer, you may invite them to apply to join the ElevateIP Alberta program. While we welcome applications, we cannot guarantee that your service provider will meet our program criteria. We encourage them to connect with us through our contact page for more information.

Please note that all IP strategy services must be delivered by an Alberta-based provider, while IP implementation services may be completed by non-Alberta providers upon approval.

ElevateIP AB Education and IP Coach Offerings remain free of charge to innovators and SME’s.

ElevateIP AB funding streams require a co-investment of 10-35%, in addition to project taxes.