Ontario Businesses: Up to $35,000 In Government Grant Funding May Be Available to Support Your Intellectual Property Growth with IPON

If your business is based in Ontario, is a small to medium-sized business of up to 500 employees and you are developing innovative products, technologies and brands, you may be eligible for funding to help support your intellectual property (IP) activities through IPON.  By obtaining IPON funding, this can help offset the cost of obtaining IP protection.  Froese Law is an accredited legal service provider for IPON.  Thus, if you get IPON funding, we can work with you to devise and execute an intellectual property strategy and portfolio.  

Who Could be Eligible for IPON Funding? 

The province of Ontario has established IPON as an organization that assists SME’s to better understand, protect, and leverage their innovations, services and products, while reducing the financial burden associated with building an IP portfolio.

IPON funding is not industry agnostic.  Funding opportunities are available for businesses operating in sectors such as: 

• Artificial Intelligence (AI), 

• life sciences, 

• health technology, 

• vehicle technology, 

• mining technology, 

• agricultural tech, and/or 

• cleantech. 

If you do not fall under within these industries, there may be other government agencies that you may be eligible for funding.  Froese Law can assist with navigating this with you.    

If you do qualify under IPON, funding may be used to support IP activities related to both domestic and international patent and trademark prosecution, industrial designs, copyright and IP strategy.

IPON IP Funding Highlights

The IPON is system is a multi-layered process that entails different tiers.  Funding is available for those businesses that meet specific thresholds and also have proceeded through certain program requirements.   

Funding can cover up to 80% of eligible costs, if those thresholds are met and requirements completed.  

There is no set deadline for applications.  Funding is granted on a rolling basis.  

What Could be an Eligible Cost?

Some of the eligible costs are 

• IP agreements (non-disclosure, licenses, master service, partnership) 

• IP survey/audit 

• IP strategy 

• IP registration 

Funding is conditional on an approved scope of work. Clients are required to pay at least 20% of eligible services/disbursements and all applicable taxes (HST). IPON covers up to 80% of eligible costs.

IPON-funded services must be forward-looking and be provided by licensed Ontario IP lawyers on IPON’s Service Provider Roster.

Flexible Program Streams

The program offers several participation streams designed to meet businesses at different stages of their innovation journey. Whether you are looking for intensive guidance, collaborative support through innovation partners, or a more self-directed approach, there are options available to help organizations strengthen and grow their IP strategy.

The right stream will depend on your business objectives, stage of development, and intellectual property needs.

Interested In Learning more? 

If you are exploring funding opportunities to support your intellectual property strategy, various government and institutional programs may be available to SMEs.

While eligibility varies, Froese Law can help guide you toward relevant funding avenues aligned with your IP objectives. Once funding is secured, we can support you with tailored legal and strategic IP services to help you structure, protect, and leverage your intellectual property.