Safeguard Your Intellectual Property with ElevateIP
Protect what makes your business different. Your ideas, technology, brand, and know-how are valuable business assets. ElevateIP helps eligible Manitoba and Saskatchewan startups identify, protect, and commercialize their intellectual property through expert guidance and up to $100,000 in funding for IP strategy and implementation.
Whether you’re just beginning to explore intellectual property or you’re ready to protect an invention or brand, ElevateIP connects you with experienced professionals who can help you make informed decisions as your business grows.
Delivered by North Forge in partnership with Communitech and funded by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), ElevateIP helps innovative Canadian companies build a stronger foundation for long-term growth and success.
Applications open during the Fall/Winter 2026 intake.
Join the ElevateIP Info List.
Stay informed about upcoming funding intakes, IP education, workshops, and program updates.
Intellectual property is more than patents. It includes trademarks, copyrights, industrial designs, trade secrets, software, data, proprietary processes, and the ideas that set your business apart. When managed strategically, IP can help protect your innovations, strengthen your competitive advantage, attract investment, and support long-term growth.
Yet many startups delay thinking about IP until it’s too late. Building an IP strategy can seem expensive, complex, or easy to put off when you're focused on product development and growth. Unfortunately, missed opportunities and avoidable mistakes can become far more costly later.
ElevateIP helps remove those barriers. Through expert guidance, funding, and access to experienced IP professionals, eligible startups can make informed decisions about protecting and commercializing their intellectual property at every stage of growth.
Support at Every Stage of Your IP Journey
Tier 1: IP Capacity Building (Education & Awareness)
Build a strong understanding of intellectual property through expert-led workshops, webinars, and online resources. Learn how patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and other forms of IP can support your business as it grows.
*No application or approval necessary for Tier 1
Tier 2: IP Strategy Development
Develop a tailored intellectual property strategy aligned with your business goals. Work with experienced IP professionals to identify what should be protected, assess opportunities and risks, and prioritize the next steps for your business. Services may include IP strategy development, patent and trademark searches, competitive and IP landscape analysis, and strategic advisory services tailored to your business.
Eligible Participants can access up to $25,000 in fully funded Tier 2 services.
*Access to Tier 2 services is subject to program application, eligibility, acceptance, and available funding.
Tier 3: IP Strategy Implementation
Put your IP strategy into action through eligible implementation services that help protect and commercialize your innovation. Based on your approved IP strategy, implementation services may include patent and trademark filings, licensing agreements, prosecution activities, and other services that help protect and commercialize your intellectual property.
Eligible Participants can access up to $75,000 in Tier 3 funding, with a Participant co-investment of 10%, 20%, or 30%, depending on ownership structure and revenue.
*Access to Tier 3 services is subject to program application, eligibility, acceptance, successful completion of Tier 2 (or an equivalent strategy), and available funding.
Eligible Participants may receive up to $100,000 in total support through ElevateIP, although actual funding allocations are based on strategic need and available program funding.
Protect what makes your business different. ElevateIP gives eligible startups the guidance, expertise, and funding to build an intellectual property strategy that supports commercialization, attracts investment, and drives long term growth.
Is Your Company Eligible?
To be considered for ElevateIP, your company must meet the program’s minimum eligibility requirements. In general, eligible companies:
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Are Canadian-Controlled Private Corporations (CCPCs)
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Are incorporated or registered in Manitoba or Saskatchewan
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Employ fewer than 500 people
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Generate less than $10 million in annual revenue
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Have operated for fewer than 15 years
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Own, or have the legal right to use, the intellectual property associated with the innovation being supported
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Can provide application materials such as a Pitch Deck, Business Plan, or Lean Canvas
Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program or approval for funding.
Who Gets the Most Value from ElevateIP?
ElevateIP is designed for innovative companies that see intellectual property as a strategic business asset. While companies from many industries may be eligible, the program is generally best suited for businesses that:
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Are developing innovative products, technologies, or services with protectable intellectual property
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Have a clear commercialization and growth strategy
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Are ready to work with an assigned IP Advisor to develop and implement an IP strategy
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Are preparing to launch, scale, or expand into new markets
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View IP as a competitive advantage and want to integrate it into their overall business strategy
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Generate, or intend to generate, revenue from proprietary products, technology, or intellectual property
ElevateIP is about more than filing patents or trademarks. It’s about helping companies build a thoughtful IP strategy that supports commercialization, business growth, and long term success.
When ElevateIP May Not Be the Right Fit
ElevateIP may not be the best fit if:
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Your business is primarily consulting or contract-based with limited proprietary intellectual property
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Intellectual property is not central to your growth strategy
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You are not planning to commercialize, scale, or protect your innovation
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Ownership of the IP is unclear or held outside your company
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Your primary goal is to secure unrestricted funding rather than IP support
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Your business model relies primarily on intellectual property litigation or patent assertion.
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Significant legal disputes could affect your proposed IP activities
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You are not yet ready to develop or implement an IP strategy
Are you an IP professional interested in getting involved as an ElevateIP Service Provider?
Reach out to us at: IP@northforge.ca to apply!
Questions?
SMEs that own formal intellectual property receive, on average, 3x more financing than businesses without IP.*
By helping founders identify, protect, and manage their IP, ElevateIP supports businesses as they grow and prepare for future opportunities.
*Source: IP Canada Report 2024
“ElevateIP program has been a game-changer for my start-up, POPP3R Cybersecurity, providing us with the education, resources, and support to develop a comprehensive IP strategy. The team at North Forge made the entire process seamless, offering unwavering support and guidance every step of the way. Through the program’s three-tiered approach and the exceptional assistance from TDS Law, a renowned firm specializing in intellectual property, we gained a deep understanding of IP and identified the key assets that set our business apart from competitors. Thanks to ElevateIP and the expertise of TDS Law, we now have a well-defined IP strategy in place, and our company’s assets are protected, giving us a competitive edge in the market.”
“The support from North Forge’s ElevateIP program has been a fantastic resource for entrepreneurs like us. It simplifies the journey, offering essential tools and guidance. ElevateIP has enabled our business to truly adopt and implement a robust IP strategy. Through the program, we’ve been able to level up our NDA and employee contracts while navigating trademarks, copyrights, and patent searches. The program has turned a costly business function into something more accessible for start-ups like ours.”
Why is IP protection important?
“For most start-ups, IP is a key investment in and component of growth and increasing competitive edge in the market. Failing to develop an IP strategy that properly protects the business’s IP rights at the early stages may result in challenges and obstacles later on that could prevent the business from further development and expansion. ”
“It would have been cost-prohibitive for us to obtain IP protection on two of our products at this stage of our journey. Through the ElevateIP program, we were able to secure the necessary patents (pending in the US and Canada) without the extreme cost. The program made IP protection easy and accessible for us.
“Communicating Whistle’s startup innovation without IP Protection was restrictive as we reached out to investors and the wider industry. Very grateful for the ElevateIP program and North Forge for empowering us to stride ahead by ensuring IP Protection and Trademark strategy through an experienced Law firm.”
“Thanks to the ElevateIP Program, we were able to hire an IP consultant who helped us identify our IP assets, assess our IP risks, and prioritize our IP actions. We also received funding to file patent applications for some of our key inventions, which will help us secure our market position and attract investors. The ElevateIP Program has been a game-changer for us.”
“This collaboration with North Forge, ElevateIP, and Bereskin & Parr LLP has not only elevated our IP strategy but also positioned us to make a significant impact in the field of reproductive health. Their combined expertise and support have enabled us to focus on our core mission of helping couples conceive naturally, while ensuring that our intellectual property is protected and leveraged effectively.”
“The devices we have in the pipeline are now being reviewed and assessed by federal law enforcement agencies as well as military defence and research entities. We have also been approached by other foreign representatives based on what they have heard about our progress. The ElevateIP funding support has allowed us to maintain and keep our patent pool updated and fresh. ”
“To be competitive, intellectual property is crucial for any business to create a protective moat around their operations, allowing them to compete effectively in the market. For us, protecting our IP was equally important. However, when we saw the costs associated with legal fees, we were stunned about how we would afford it. That’s why Elevate IP was a natural choice to support us.”
New: Protecting Indigenous IP Program
We’re excited to introduce the Protecting Indigenous IP Program - a new initiative designed to support Indigenous entrepreneurs, creatives, innovators, and community leaders in understanding and safeguarding their intellectual property.
As an ElevateIP Tier 1 Education program, this self-paced experience focuses on building practical knowledge of Indigenous IP, including cultural heritage, Traditional Knowledge, and Traditional Cultural Expressions. Participants gain access to tools, legal context, and culturally grounded guidance to better understand how Indigenous Knowledge fits within Canada’s IP systems.
Developed in partnership with Indigenous IP lawyers, experts, and Communitech, the program bridges Indigenous Knowledge systems and Canadian IP frameworks. It helps participants understand both the opportunities and limitations of existing systems, while supporting informed decision-making around ownership, partnerships, and protection strategies.
Founder’s IP Journey
As an ElevateIP Tier 1 Education program, the Founder’s IP Journey focuses on IP education, action planning, and foundational IP literacy. This new program is open to a broader audience and serves as a complementary first step before applying to ElevateIP or other IP-focused programs.
FAQ's
ElevateIP is a national program funded by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) that helps Canadian startups understand, protect, and leverage their intellectual property (IP).
Delivered in Manitoba and Saskatchewan by North Forge in partnership with Communitech, the program provides eligible startups with access to IP education, independent IP Advisors, and funding for eligible IP strategy, searches, legal services, and implementation activities such as patent and trademark filings.
The goal of ElevateIP is to help innovative companies build strong IP foundations, support commercialization, attract investment, and create long-term competitive advantages.
Tier 1: IP Education – Receive free online resources that will help in identifying intellectual property strategy gaps.
Tier 2: IP Strategy Development – Gain access to experts for IP assessments and strategy development.
Tier 3: IP Strategy Implementation – Be provided subsidized services when implementing your IP strategy.Reach out to our team at: IP@northforge.ca to apply!
To be eligible for the ElevateIP program, your company must generally:
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Be a Canadian-Controlled Private Corporation (CCPC).
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Be incorporated or registered in Manitoba or Saskatchewan.
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Employ fewer than 500 employees.
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Generate less than CAD $10 million in annual revenue.
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Have been operating for fewer than 15 years.
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Own, or have the exclusive legal rights to use, the intellectual property associated with the innovation being supported.
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Be developing or commercializing an innovative product, technology, or service where intellectual property plays an important role.
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Submit the required application materials.
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The ElevateIP 1.0 program launched November 23, 2023 and applications for Tier 2 and Tier 3 services closed on June 30, 2025.
We anticipate opening the ElevateIP 2.0 program to new applicants in Fall/Winter 2026/2027.
If you would like to be notified when applications open, please join our ElevateIP Info List. We will share program updates, eligibility information, and application details as they become available.
Yes. Having an existing lawyer, patent agent, or trademark agent does not prevent you from participating in the ElevateIP program.
If your current legal representative is an authorized North Forge ElevateIP Service Provider, you may be able to continue working with them through the program.
If they are not currently an authorized Service Provider, they are welcome to apply to join the program. Alternatively, you may choose another authorized Service Provider from the North Forge Service Provider Directory.
Your assigned IP Advisor will work with you to identify the services that best support your business and intellectual property strategy, regardless of whether you already have professional IP advisors.
No. ElevateIP funding is not provided directly to Participants as a grant or cash payment.
Instead, North Forge pays approved Service Providers directly for eligible services approved through the program.
For Tier 2 services, eligible costs are covered at 100%, up to the applicable funding limits.
For Tier 3 services, Participants are required to co-invest 10%, 20%, or 30%, depending on their eligibility. The Participant pays this portion directly to their Service Provider, and North Forge pays the remaining approved amount.
All services must be approved through the ElevateIP process before work begins. Work started before receiving the required approvals is not eligible for funding.
Eligible Participants may receive up to CAD $100,000 (pre-tax) in funding through the ElevateIP program.
Funding is divided into two tiers:
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Tier 2: IP Strategy & Development
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Up to CAD $25,000
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100% funded with no Participant co-investment required.
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Tier 3: IP Implementation
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Up to CAD $75,000
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Participants contribute 10%, 20%, or 30% of eligible project costs, depending on their eligibility, with the program covering the remaining amount.
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Unused Tier 2 funding may be applied toward eligible Tier 3 activities, subject to program requirements and funding availability.
Please note that CAD $100,000 is the maximum funding available under the program. Actual funding awarded will depend on your company’s needs, the proposed IP activities, eligibility, and the availability of program funding. Participation in ElevateIP does not guarantee funding for any particular service or project.
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ElevateIP Team
North Forge is an ElevateIP Recipient: a national program of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, leading in intellectual property supports for startups in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.