Postsecondary support
Advancing access, capacity and commercialization outcomes in Ontario’s postsecondary sector.
Mandate
Intellectual Property Ontario’s (IPON) mandate is rooted in Ontario’s commitment to ensuring that homegrown research and innovation create meaningful benefits for people across the province. Its postsecondary education (PSE) strategy strengthens the capacity of colleges, universities and research institutions to develop intellectual property (IP) and advance commercialization. Through targeted supports and investments, it helps translate academic research into realworld impact.
Strategy
Long-term vision
Act as a premier technology transfer and commercialization centre supporting all postsecondary and research institutions in Ontario.
Initiatives
Direct IP funding for institutions (COMING SOON)
Eligible postsecondary and research institutions (such as a university, college, research hospital or institute) can now access direct IP funding from IPON.
IPON funding may help institutions support their researchers and entrepreneurs with:
IP agreements (non-disclosure, licenses, master service, partnership)
IP survey/audit
IP strategy
IP registration
Eligible institutions can apply for funding via funding calls. IPON will cover up to 80% of eligible costs for work that has been completed. Institutions are required to pay at least 20% of eligible services / disbursements and all applicable taxes (HST).
IPON-funded services must be provided by licensed Ontario IP lawyers or registered patent agents.
Mission
Serve Ontario researchers and innovators as an enabler, drawing on an array of experts to help move their discoveries to market for social and economic gain.
Value proposition
Leverage an esteemed network of SME recipients, funding partners, IP experts and technology transfer professionals to collaborate, catalyze and support the journey of Ontario-led innovations from discovery through to commercial success.
Innovation Fellowship Program
A key part of IPON’s mandate is to strengthen commercialization outcomes for research in Ontario by building IP and commercialization capacity within postsecondary and research institutions. IPON is partnering with ten (10) Ontario-based universities to deliver an immersive entrepreneurship and intellectual property education experience for qualifying students and faculty interested in commercializing a research-driven innovation, process or invention.
If you are a student, recent graduate or faculty member in Ontario and would like to learn more, please contact your local participating institution.
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Western University
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Item description
IPON’s Technology Transfer Service (COMING SOON)
IPON’s Commercialization Pilot Program, launched in 2023, has helped 17 institutions build stronger commercialization capacity. Building on this success, IPON will use its network to create a regional hub-and-spoke model that supports institutions across the province. This model will lay the foundation for IPON’s future central Technology Transfer Service.
$9.5M+
invested across 17 institutions
776+
IP assets protected to date: 404 patents, 249 trademarks, 104 IP-centric agreements, 19 industrial designs
17
colleges and universities served
From Campus to Commercialization:
See what institutions have to say about IPON’s pilot program:
Innovating in Ontario?
Learn more here:
What’s new
IPON launches a new Innovation Fellowship program
OCI and IPON partner to help Ontario technology innovators
Join our next IPON Explained on April 16 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
