KITCHENER - Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) announced an additional investment of $3.39 million to strengthen intellectual property (IP) capacity at Ontario colleges and universities, raising its total investment since April 2023 to $9.54 million. This funding reinforces the province’s commitment to protecting and commercializing Ontario-made research and innovation to drive economic growth, a press release stated by IPON.
“Ontario’s postsecondary institutions play a pivotal role in strengthening our province’s economic resilience, particularly during periods of global economic uncertainty,” said Paul Paolatto, CEO of IPON. “By increasing our investment, IPON is further empowering colleges and universities to develop, protect and commercialize innovations that will contribute to job creation and long-term prosperity across the province.”
IPON’s funding aligns with the Ontario government's Commercialization Mandate Policy Framework, which ensures publicly funded research is effectively translated into market-ready products and services that fuel economic growth and local impact.
“Ontario-made research is driving our economy and securing our competitiveness on a global scale,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “IPON’s investment to strengthen intellectual property at our world class colleges and universities will expand both the protection and commercialization of our province’s groundbreaking research, creating more jobs, fostering more innovation, and improving the lives of our residents.”
Within one year of initial funding, from 2023 to 2024, IPON-supported initiatives across eight colleges and 12 universities secured 258 patents, 127 trademarks, 48 IP-centric agreements, and four industrial designs. IPON is currently evaluating the impact of its 2024 to 2025 funding, which is anticipated to drive continued growth in the protection and commercialization of research-driven IP assets.
The $3.39 million investment is being distributed among 14 initiatives across 16 postsecondary institutions, including:
• Brock University
• Carleton University
• Collège La Cité
• Conestoga College, leading a joint initiative with Durham College and Sheridan College
• George Brown College
• Georgian College
• Lambton College
• McMaster University
• Niagara College
• Toronto Metropolitan University
• University of Ottawa
• University of Toronto
• University of Windsor
• York University
IPON is committed to supporting Ontario’s publicly funded postsecondary institutions by strengthening IP capacity and advancing the development, protection and commercialization of campus research. The agency also works to foster an environment where Ontario-generated IP can remain and thrive in Canada.
Eligible innovators and researchers are encouraged to apply to IPON to access trusted IP services and support.