Strengthening Canada’s Innovation Economy in Partnership with CIPO
Empowered Startups is pleased to announce that a renewed five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with…
Empowered Startups is pleased to announce that a renewed five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), signalling the continuation of our longstanding partnership.
For decades, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), an agency of the Government of Canada, has played a central role in strengthening Canada’s innovation economy. Through national leadership in intellectual property policy, IP literacy, and the modernization of IP services, CIPO equips Canadian innovators with the knowledge, tools, and protections needed to compete and scale globally at every stage of business growth.
Both Empowered Startups and CIPO are dedicated to supporting startups in developing IP strategies that enhance their ability to innovate and increase their global competitiveness.
The IP Landscape in Canada
Canada’s innovation economy depends on research, entrepreneurial talent, and organizations and systems that help innovators protect, manage, and advance their businesses. One of the most important ways to do this is through intellectual property (IP) rights. IP protects inventions, brands, assets, and other creations from unauthorized use or repurposing. IP rights allow businesses to gain a competitive edge, attract investment, build trust, and commercialize products while preventing misuse of those creations.
Canada’s ability to compete globally depends on how effectively innovators identify, manage, and protect their intellectual property. In Canada, CIPO administers the national IP system, which includes granting patents, registering trademarks, supporting copyrights, and providing knowledge, databases, and resources to help businesses succeed. Empowered’s collaboration with CIPO reflects a shared belief that early, strategic IP planning is essential to strengthening Canadian companies and advancing long-term economic competitiveness.
“Strong innovation ecosystems are built on more than research alone; they depend on clear pathways to protect and commercialize intellectual property,” notes Matthew Pattinson, Empowered Startups Director of Incubation and Innovation – North America. “CIPO’s leadership in IP awareness and education aligns closely with our work supporting founders as they move from applied research into market-ready businesses. This renewal reinforces a partnership built around translating innovation into durable, protected value for Canada’s economy.”
Partnerships That Matter
Through this renewed partnership, CIPO and Empowered Startups will continue to expand access to intellectual property expertise, business networks, and IP education through training programs, digital platforms, and related services. As part of this collaboration, CIPO tools and resources are integrated directly into Empowered Startups’ innovation curriculum, enabling founders to engage with IP strategy earlier in the research, innovation, and commercialization process.
Together with CIPO, Empowered Startups is proud to support Canada’s innovation ecosystem by reinforcing the importance of early, informed, and strategically aligned intellectual property planning.
To learn more about Empowered Startups’ work supporting innovation and commercialization in Canada, visit our Canada program page. Information on CIPO’s mandate, services, and IP resources can be found on the Canadian Intellectual Property Office website.
