Funding for IP and Commercialization

NSERC Idea to Innovation (I2I) Grants

NSERC I2I Grants help businesses commercialize new concepts. The mandate is to accelerate pre-commercialization research that will lead to adoption of a new technology by a Canadian company.

The application process is quite involved and includes sections to be written on the strategy to be undertaken with regard to intellectual property protection and commercialization. As part of the grant requirements, this application is written collaboratively with the assistance of the IP Officer. The NSERC I2I program is very competitive, with granting cycles four times a year.

Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) 

IRAP provides innovation and funding services for businesses to increase economic development for companies. They have several services described on their website.

Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) Market Readiness Co-Investment Fund

OCI’s Market Readiness Co-Investment Fund helps researchers advance to the next stages of commercialization by turning valuable research into a marketable product or service. There are different levels of funding in the program depending on the stage of the business.