Atlantic IP Advantage Application

IP Award Application

Atlantic IP Advantage Funding Program
Application Intake:
General Information
- Information on Springboard Atlantic IP Advantage (AIPA) including application guidelines can be found at https://springboardatlantic.ca/ipadvantage.
- Total project costs must be supported by a completed provider quotation form signed by a professional service provider.
- Make sure all fields are complete. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- The IP Strategy Development Program provides supports for Startups to engage with professionals to develop an executable strategy, which ensures Startups will have a comprehensive understanding of the domain they are pursuing, and that IP is informing business decisions. The result of this work will be an executable IP Strategy.
- The IP Strategy Implementation Program comprises supports for Startups to engage with experts to assist with executing their IP strategies, which includes coaching to support the internal work and processes required to ensure IP protection is part of the operation and the organizational culture, and includes the IP filings identified in the IP Strategy. Startups cannot access the IP Strategy Implementation support without providing an IP Strategy anddescribing IP searching work completed to date.
- A minimum co-investment of 20% is from the startup required at all stages of program support, paid directly to the professional service providers.
Evaluation Criteria

This program supports technology focused startups actively commercializing IP. The program prioritizes companies with a strong alignment of business and IP strategies and demonstrate the potential for high growth.

Potential for Commercial Benefit
- Protection, support, and creation of existing or future commercially viable IP
- Anticipated commercial and social benefits and anticipated benefits for Atlantic Canada
- Identification and evaluation of potential markets and market applications
- Demonstrated understanding of a commercialization plan and impact on company growth
Intellectual Property
- Understanding of the potential benefits of IP protection (patent/copyright/trade secret/etc.)
- Understanding of IP positioning benefits in terms of commercial strategy
Scientific/Technical Merit
- Scientific/Technical/Social basis for the expected commercial application
- Project is feasible - technical complexity, technical risk
- Likely benefit from intellectual property protection
- Technologies aligned with national priorities are prioritized, including dual-use, defence, and AI applications
Company
- The company is positioned well to utilize IP protection in commercialization efforts
- The company has a business strategy that contain commercialization pathway
- There is adequate personnel and material resources allocated to support IP
- Applicants have a background in the area of the proposed project
- There are arrangements to secure requisite experience for commercialization (if needed)
Budget
- Budget details are included, explained, and supported
- The request for support is accompanied by a quote from a professional service provider on their letterhead

Startup Description
Please provide a SHORT business overview (non-confidential, 150 words or less).
Briefly describe your company’s primary products or services. What is the technology stage of development (i.e. idea, proof of concept, prototype, pilot/testing, in-market)? What problem are you solving?
Briefly describe your market. Who are your customers? What is your market size estimate? Any indication of customer traction (i.e. customer discovery, sales, leads, investment, pilots, letters of intent, etc.)?
Briefly describe who your main competitors are; what is your competitive advantage?

Understanding IP
Work to Date:
Please describe in detail the work your company has done to date to learn and explore intellectual property protection. Please also note any searches, professional consulting work and education and awareness efforts you have undertaken.
If your company has previously received support from Springboard Atlantic IP Advantage, please describe how the funds were used - including the specific types of intellectual property supported (e.g., strategy development, trademarks, copyrights, patents, jurisdictions/countries covered) - and the impact this support had on your business. For example, outline any milestones achieved, growth experienced, new markets accessed, revenue generated, or financing secured.
IP Assistance
Are you an NRC-IRAP client?
If yes, please name your NRC IRAP Industrial Technology Advisor.
Please detail if you have previously received other assistance for IP protection. This can be but not limited to participating in NRC IP Assist, or Can-Export funding.
IP Alignment with Business Strategy:
Please describe how developing and implementing an intellectual property strategy will impact your company’s growth, commercialization, and market potential and overall business strategy. Provide detail on how Springboard Atlantic’s Atlantic IP Initiative funding support may impact areas such as: 1) Improving the company’s ability to leverage its IP; 2) Improve the company’s IP management practices; 3) Increase the company’s business capabilities; 4) Develop new product(s) and/or services; 5) Allow the company to secure additional investment; etc. (500 words maximum).
Scientific Technical Capacity for IP Utilization
Please provide an overview of founder(s) and key team members (including company employees, Board members, mentors or advisors) and their ability to execute. Without disclosing any confidential information, please demonstrate how the company’s scientific and technical expertise can support the company’s IP strategy now and into the future.
Commercial Capacity for IP Utilization
Clearly state who has ownership of the intellectual property. Does your company have rights to the IP or was it developed or licensed from other partners?
Are you currently in any litigation regarding your intellectual property?
If yes, please describe:
Do you have financial or staffing resources (current or planned) that will support commercialization of your IP and technology?
Do you plan to fundraise? If yes, provide some details.

Funding Request
1. Funding Summary
Please provide a rationale for your strategy development and implementation funding request. Why these forms of IP? Which countries and why? Do you have any pressing deadlines?

2. Detailed Funding Request for IP Strategy Development
The IP Strategy Development Program provides supports for Startups to engage with professionals to develop an executable strategy, which ensures Startups will have a comprehensive understanding of the domain they are pursuing, and that IP is informing decisions along that process. The result of this work will be an executable IP Strategy.

Eligible activities for support include:
- Assessment: This can include providing basic technology, market and IP assessments to determine the value of the opportunity, the value of investing in the IP with a protective strategy.
- Search: Provide comprehensive IP searching services including FTO, and interpretation from anIP/technology practitioner (or) Provide formal legal opinions (patentability/ trademarking/trade secret).
- Strategy: Support the development of an IP road map, as part of developing an IP Strategy andmanagement framework that suits the Startup.
Please complete the below table with the proposed activities, listing the provider of the activities and the funding amount. Each request for support must be accompanied by a completed provider quotation form signed by a professional service provider.

3. Detailed Funding Request for IP Strategy Implementation
The IP Strategy Implementation Program comprises support for Startups to engage with experts to assist with executing their IP strategies, which includes coaching to support the internal work and processes required to ensure IP protection is part of the operation process and the organizational culture, and the IP filings themselves. Prior to applying for implementation funds, the Startup will have received in-person and/or online training regarding IP implementation, as well as consultation with Collaborator experts, BAI advisors and/or provincially located IP Counsellors and will have finalized their IP Strategy. The startup must have a business strategy with pathways to commercialization.

Eligible activities for support include:
- Consulting: A contracted consultant provides support for the internal implementation as notedabove, and supports the protection execution with Startup leadership.
- IP Filings: Direct filing costs associated with protecting IP.
Please complete the below table with the proposed activities, listing the provider of the activities and the funding amount. Each request for support must be accompanied by a completed provider quotation form signed by a professional service provider.

You can download the Provider Quotation Form here.
Please upload provider's quotation forms.

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Rows	Amount
Total Cost for IP Strategy Development (including sales tax)
Amount contributed from Applicant (including sales tax)
Amount Requested from Springboard Atlantic’s AIPI Funding Program (including sales tax)

Rows	Amount
Total Cost for IP Strategy Implementation (including sales tax)
Amount contributed from Applicant (including sales tax)
Amount Requested from Springboard Atlantic’s AIPI Funding Program (including sales tax)

Rows	Amount
Total Cost (including sales tax)
Amount contributed from Applicant (including sales tax)
Total Amount Requested from Springboard Atlantic’s AIPI Funding Program (including sales tax)

Provider Information

Rows	Information
Legal name (REQUIRED):
Operating name (if different):
Contact name:
Position:
Address:
City, province/territory, postal code:
Phone:
Contact Email:
Website:
Accounts Receivable - Contact name:
Accounts Receivable - Phone number:
Accounts Receivable - Email address:
Total Value of Services Requested (including sales tax)

Rows	Information
Legal name (REQUIRED):
Operating name (if different):
Contact name:
Position:
Address:
City, province/territory, postal code:
Phone:
Contact Email:
Website:
Accounts Receivable - Contact name:
Accounts Receivable - Phone number:
Accounts Receivable - Email address:
Total Value of Services Requested (including sales tax)

Rows	Information
Legal name (REQUIRED):
Operating name (if different):
Contact name:
Position:
Address:
City, province/territory, postal code:
Phone:
Contact Email:
Website:
Accounts Receivable - Contact name:
Accounts Receivable - Phone number:
Accounts Receivable - Email address:
Total Value of Services Requested (including sales tax)

Terms and Conditions

General Terms and Conditions

All expenses must comply with the Springboard Contribution Agreements.
The Applicant is responsible for any expenditures and commitments greater than the amount awarded.
The Applicant acknowledges that funds shall only be used for activities carried out after the date of submitted application to Springboard Atlantic.
The Applicant and/or provider must provide a proof of payment including receipts or other documentation to show that Startup co-investment/match was completed. Proof of expenses must be retained in case of a request from auditors.
Project changes must be pre-approved before expenses occur. Extensions for project time and project cost increases must be requested in advance of the costs being incurred and are not automatically granted. Awards must be spent within the awarded timeframe unless otherwise approved.
Applicants acknowledge that any information which has been shared in engagements with Springboard Atlantic and evaluation committee including any personal information contained in any records, information, audit and evaluation and other reports provided may be provided to the federal government for evaluation, audit and other programmatic purposes.
The Applicant must provide survey responses on all follow up reporting.
The applicant acknowledges that the service provider is a Canadian entity.
A Final Project Report is required by three months after project completion. Any press coverage or success stories regarding the event is to be included.
Appropriate acknowledgment of financial support provided by Springboard Atlantic and ISED will be included in any information relating to the project issued the award recipient.
The participants also agree that Springboard Atlantic may publish the award amount and company title in external communications. Companies may be approached for other media related or outreach efforts.
Applicants agree to receive Springboard Atlantic newsletters and emails. Applicants may opt out at any time.

Springboard Atlantic makes no claim to ownership of any Intellectual Property generated by the Startups solely by virtue of the Startup having been provided IP support through the Project. Applicants are encouraged not to disclose any IP.

Funding Amounts
Funding amounts cannot exceed $100,000 and program contribution is between 65%-90%. The co-investment requirements for awards are structured based on the specific nature of the project and the startup’s funding history. For most projects, the standard co-investment rate is now 20% of eligible costs. However, for startups that have already been awarded more than $75,000, any funding received above that $75,000 threshold will require a higher co-investment of 35%.

Lifetime Awards Received	Co-Investment Requirement	Springboard Atlantic Amount
Up to $75,000	20% of eligible costs	80%
Above $75,000	35% of eligible costs (applies to the portion over $75k)	65%

Eligible Expenses

Costs related to filing, prosecuting and/or registering IP with IP offices, including, but not limitedto, IP landscape search and analysis, drafting of IP applications, filing of IP applications, requesting examination of IP applications, prosecuting IP applications and filing and registration fees forformal IP protection
Contract services to conduct IP Assessments, including freedom to operate and other basicsearches, market intelligence and technology scans.
Contract services to conduct detailed formal IP search reports.
Contract services to develop an IP Strategy and/or IP Management Plan.

Ineligible Expenses

Litigation costs, including enforcement of IP rights against a Third Party and those that are anoutcome of the filing process
Ongoing licensing fees of Startups
Costs related to maintenance or renewal fees on IP applications or registrations
Infringement and enforcement related costs
Costs associated with the repayment or refinancing of an existing debt
Costs associated with the purchase of any assets for more than the fair market value of said asset
Costs of amortization
Costs of land, building or vehicle acquisition
Costs of goodwill

Acknowledgement of Program Guidelines
I have read and agree to the Terms and Conditions above that relate to any award made pursuant to this request.

Declarations
Conflict of Interest
Outside of an appropriate business-client relationship, do you have any current or previous relationships, ownership, influence, positions (whether salaried or not) or circumstances with the provider organizations or other program participants that could contribute to a conflict of interest, or to the appearance of a conflict of interest?
Please indicate your previous or present relationship with the provider or other program participants:
Please describe in more detail your relationship to the provider organization or other program participants.
Please provide the steps that you as the applicant intend to take to avoid or manage the conflict.
Collaboration
Springboard's network consists of 19 universities and colleges in Atlantic Canada. We can connect entrepreneurs to post-secondary expertise to explore collaborative projects based on industry needs.
Do you consent to IP Advantage sharing your CONTACT INFORMATION ONLY with our Technology Transfer Offices to explore potential R&D collaboration opportunities? Your information will be used solely for this purpose and will not be shared beyond this network.
Are there specific researchers or subject matter experts WITH WHOM you would like to be connected?
Applicant Signoff

I would like to submit the application as:
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IP Award Application

Startup Information

Startup Description

Understanding IP

Work to Date:

IP Assistance

IP Alignment with Business Strategy:

Scientific Technical Capacity for IP Utilization

Commercial Capacity for IP Utilization

Funding Request

1. Funding Summary

2. Detailed Funding Request for IP Strategy Development

3. Detailed Funding Request for IP Strategy Implementation

Provider Information

Terms and Conditions

Acknowledgement of Program Guidelines

Declarations

Conflict of Interest

Collaboration

Applicant Signoff