Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON)

​​​IPON (Intellectual Property Ontario) is a board-governed provincial agency that provides intellectual property supports and services. IPON was established by the Government of Ontario and designed to help Ontario-based innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and SMEs protect their IP and reach their commercialization potential. IPON helps clients better understand how to maximize the value of IP, strengthen their capacity to grow, compete in the market and enhance research and commercialization outcomes. 

IPON Services  

IPON offers services tailored to each company or business’s IP needs. The IPON provides self-guided programs designed for Intellectual Property (IP) owners who prefer learning and accessing services at their own pace. IPON offers funding to cover up to 80% of eligible IP protection and commercialization costs, with clients contributing at least 20%. The program includes resources for IP funding, education, benchmarking, and networking events. For more info, visit the IPON website.

Eligibility Criteria for the IPON Program 

To be eligible for IPON’s program​s​, applicants must: 

• Be an Ontario-based small or medium-sized enterprise with fewer than 500 employees. 

• Work in sectors like MedTech, life sciences, AI, vehicle technology, mining and advanced manufacturing. 

• Have a long-term growth plan in Ontario. 

• Own or exclusively license IP with plans to commercialize in Canada. 

• Show potential benefits to Ontario’s economy or society. 

• Have the financial means to protect and commercialize their IP. 

• Have an immediate IP need that aligns with IPON’s services and funding 

Eligible Sectors and Industries 

IPON has outlined specific sectors and industries eligible to become clients and receive services. These industries are the ones from which IPON will choose clients for its service offerings. For detailed information, visit IPON.

Application and Selection Process 

1. Complete your application on the IPON website. IPON reviews applications on a rolling basis and will inform you about the decision. 
2. If selected, you must complete mandatory prerequisite courses before being eligible for funding rounds. Prerequisites courses include: Foundations of IP Strategy Course, Foundations of IP Strategy Workshop, Benchmarking Tool. These prerequisites must be completed by the primary contact with detailed knowledge of the organization’s IP strategy and processes. 
3. Once you complete the prerequisites, you are approved as an IPON client and become eligible for funding when the next funding round is available. 
4. You can choose a service provider from IPON’s suggested list or propose your own (which must be confirmed by IPON for eligibility). Riahi Patents is an approved service provider with IPON. 
5. Work with the selected service provider to create a Statement of Work (SoW) and submit the SoW to IPON for review.  IPON will inform you of their decision/feedback regarding the SoW. (We at Riahi Patents can assist with the Statement of Work related to your project(s)). 
6. Once the SoW is approved, work can begin. Upon project completion, you must submit the final invoice. It is recommended that you follow strict deadlines. 

Companies must complete three steps to access IP funding from IPON. The “Foundations of IP Strategy” (six to eight hours) is a free course on using intellectual property (IP) to help your business grow. Next, a two-hour online IP strategy workshop with IP experts allows clients to discuss IP strategies, get practical advice, and review case studies. After completing both parts, clients will be issued a micro-credential to showcase their successful completion of a learning milestone. After finishing the course, an hour of IPON’s benchmarking tool helps to review IP strategy, assets, and processes. For more information, visit IPON services. 

How can we help?     

The diverse team of Patent Agents, Patent advisors, and other IP Patent consultant experts at Riahi Patents offers a diverse service tailored to the unique needs of startups and SMEs. We provide various services, including IP education and awareness, developing and implementing robust IP strategies, and filing patents and trademark applications in Canada, the US, and globally. We have successfully completed multiple projects with IPON and other Government grants, ensuring the startup reaches its full potential and thrives in the technology market.     

If you want to learn more about these programs, visit the Riahi Patents website to learn more about our services and programs.