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Eligibility

To access support and services from Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON), an applicant needs to meet IPON’s Eligibility By-Law requirements. 

Eligible applicants must:

  • Be an Ontario-based small or medium-sized enterprise with fewer than 500 employees (full-time equivalent employees or contractors globally) managed by one or more Canadians (Permanent Residents or Citizens of Canada)

  • Own intellectual property (IP) or be an exclusive licensee, intending to commercialize or monetize it in Ontario

  • Show that the business can bring social or economic benefits to Ontario

  • Operate in one of the following sectors: health technology, life sciences, artificial intelligence, vehicle technology, mining technology, agriculture and food technology, or clean economy technology. Advanced manufacturing is also applicable if the technology relates to any of these sectors (see sector definitions.)

  • Operate in Ontario and intend to grow the business in Ontario long-term

    • The primary headquarters and registered business address must be located in Ontario. This location must be the main office or principal place of business where the organization’s executive leadership and key management functions are based and must be the officially registered address used for tax, legal and administrative purposes.

  • Be a Canadian-controlled entity:

    • Private for-profit entity whose majority (>50%) of the direct and indirect beneficial ownership is under the control of an individual or individuals who are residents of Canada (as determined in accordance with the Income Tax Act (Canada), and an entity incorporated under, or created pursuant to, the laws of Canada or any of its provinces or territories and has its head office located in Canada; or

    • Public for-profit entity where >20% of the direct and indirect beneficial ownership is under the control of an individual or individuals who are residents of Canada (as determined in accordance with the Income Tax Act (Canada).

  • Demonstrate financial ability to protect and commercialize IP with help from IPON

For subsidiaries/affiliates, eligible applicants must also:

  • Operate independently from the parent entity with its own Ontario-based executive team and, if applicable, an Ontario-based board of directors

  • File taxes with the CRA as a separate entity in Ontario

  • Own and manage the IP it has developed and may be supported by IPON at the time of signing the Client Agreement and throughout their status as an IPON client (if selected)

Check out the FAQs for more information.

Note: Meeting the requirements does not guarantee your application will be approved.