🔍 #TipTuesday | Inside IPON's Toolkit Thinking about using a data set found on the Internet for machine learning purposes? 🤖 Before putting it to use, especially for business-critical purposes or to create downstream works, it's worth taking the time to investigate the data set in more detail. ⚠️ There is a lack of clarity around the scope of activities that could lead to liability (allegation of copyright infringement), and the liability can be severe. 💰 Monetary damages can be very significant, and businesses may also face equitable remedies, such as injunctions that impact the ability of a business to operate. 📊 Use of data sets of questionable or unverified provenance has led to various issues, and even data sets collected or referenced by reputable sources have been problematic. ✅ From a practical perspective, it is generally not safe to assume that the fair use / fair dealing exceptions would be applicable. 🔗 Learn more: ip-ontario.ca/ip-toolkit-ip-… #TipTuesday #DataProtection

🤖 Advancing the future of autonomous technology. Markham-based startup and IPON client @CyberworksInc, founded by Vivek Burhanpurkar, just secured a contract worth more than $1 million with Canada's @NationalDefence to supply and test its next-generation autonomous vehicles with the Canadian Armed Forces. “Our team has spent decades deploying autonomous technology in environments where failure is not an option, from airports and hospitals to now defence applications.” –Vivek Burhanpurkar, Founder and CEO, CyberWorks Robotics The agreement will see CyberWorks deliver its multi-role autonomous vehicles, which combine deterministic robotics and machine learning to support defence logistics, payload delivery and reconnaissance operations in complex environments. This milestone highlights the growing impact of Canadian-made autonomous technologies and the role innovative companies like CyberWorks are playing in advancing mission-critical solutions. 🔗 @BetaKit shares more about CyberWorks' contract with the Canadian Armed Forces: betakit.com/cyberworks-lands… #Robotics #OntarioInnovation

Great ideas need a path to market. We recently brought together leaders from government, industry and Ontario’s innovation ecosystem for an important conversation about how public procurement can help create that path. Together, we explored how procurement can help Ontario innovators demonstrate value, reach adoption and scale, and how IP and commercialization can help ensure more of the economic value created here benefits the province and its innovators. Read the key takeaways from the roundtable: ip-ontario.ca/blog/buying-in… Thank you to everyone who joined us and shared their perspectives: - Minister @StCrawford2 and Sehar Lutfi | Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement - @Jwallace_SO and @AlexBlair93 | @SupplyOntario - @CKrywiak | @OCInnovation - Stephanie Hanna | NuanceEdge - Connie Chen | @FACITca - @ElliotGFung, Roula Thomas, Kristy Smith | @ip_ontario (IPON) --------------------------------------------- Les idées géniales ont besoin d’un moyen de commercialisation. Nous avons récemment réuni des dirigeants du gouvernement, de l’industrie et de l’écosystème de l’innovation de l’Ontario pour une importante conversation sur la façon dont les marchés publics peuvent faciliter la création de ce moyen. Ensemble, nous avons exploré comment les marchés publics peuvent aider les innovateurs de l’Ontario à prouver la rentabilité de leurs solutions, à susciter leur adoption et à s’étendre, et comment la PI et la commercialisation peuvent faire en sorte qu’une plus grande partie de la valeur économique créée ici profite à la province et à ses innovateurs. Découvrez les principaux points à retenir de la table ronde : ip-ontario.ca/francais/blogu…

🛰️ Reaching new heights in Canadian space innovation. Ontario startup and IPON client @Nord_Space, founded by Rahul Goel, recently celebrated a major milestone as its Terra Nova satellite successfully launched and began operating in orbit, making NordSpace the first aspiring Canadian rocket company to operate its own hardware in space. "[The] Terra Nova satellite has completed its early orbit phase, with all mission goals met so far." -@CP24 Designed, built and tested in-house, Terra Nova serves as a pathfinder satellite that will help demonstrate technologies including AI-powered monitoring for applications such as wildfire detection and Arctic observation. As Canada's space sector continues to grow, milestones like this showcase the ingenuity and ambition of homegrown innovators who are helping shape the future of space technology. 🔗 @CP24 spoke with NordSpace about the successful launch and what comes next for the company's growing space ambitions: cp24.com/news/canada/2026/10… #SpaceTech #OntarioInnovation

Want to better understand intellectual property and how it can support your business growth? Join us for IPON Explained, our free public information session for Ontario innovators and people who support them. Learn about the trusted IP support and services available through IPON, plus get your questions answered during a live Q&A. 📅 October 23 | 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. 🔗 Register now before spots fill up: ip-ontario.ca/events/ipon-ex…

🍁 Small businesses are the backbone of Ontario's economy. As we celebrate Small Business Week, we're recognizing the entrepreneurs and business owners whose ideas, resilience and determination help drive growth, create jobs and strengthen communities across the province. “Over 500,000 small businesses across the province power Ontario's economy, employing close to 2.5 million people. [...] On behalf of the Government of Ontario, thank you to all small business owners, entrepreneurs and workers for your relentless determination, hard work and invaluable contributions to our province. I encourage everyone to continue protecting Ontario-made innovation and jobs by supporting your local businesses.” — The Honourable @NinaTangri, Associate Minister of Small Business 👏 Thank you to the innovators, founders and small businesses helping shape Ontario's future through entrepreneurship and innovation. 🔗 Read more: news.ontario.ca/en/statement… 🔗 Get IP support: ip-ontario.ca/ #SmallBusinessWeek #OntarioBusiness

Your insurance policy mentions intellectual property... but are you actually covered? Not all IP risks are the same, and coverage for a copyright claim may look very different from coverage for a patent dispute. Before assuming you're protected, it's worth taking a closer look. Our latest blog explores common misconceptions about IP insurance and shares five important questions every innovator should ask before an IP dispute occurs. 🔗 Read more: ip-ontario.ca/blog/your-insu… #IPON #IPInsurance ------------------------ Votre police d’assurance mentionne la propriété intellectuelle...mais êtes-vous réellement couvert? Tous les risques de PI ne sont pas similaires, et la couverture d’une réclamation pour droit d'auteur peut se présenter très différemment de la couverture d’un litige lié à un brevet. Avant de partir du principe que vous êtes protégé, il vaut la peine d’y regarder de plus près. Dans notre dernier blogue, nous explorons des idées préconçues courantes concernant l’assurance sur la PI ainsi que cinq importantes questions que chaque innovateur devrait se poser avant qu’un litige survienne en lien avec une PI. 🔗 Pour en savoir davantage : ip-ontario.ca/francais/blogu…

🌬️ Advancing the future of energy-efficient cooling. Waterloo-based startup and IPON client Evercloak, led by Evelyn Allen, CEO and Co-Founder, is developing next-generation solutions for energy-efficient cooling through its innovative EverDROP™ dehumidification technology. The company recently secured advisory services and up to nearly $2 million in funding through the @NRC_CNRC's Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) Clean Technology initiative to support the continued development and scale-up of the technology. "Using Evercloak's advanced membrane technology, EverDROP™ removes moisture from air without the energy-intensive cooling and reheating used in conventional dehumidification. The result is a more efficient approach to humidity control with the potential to significantly reduce HVAC energy use." As demand for energy-efficient cooling continues to rise, Evercloak's made-in-Ontario innovation has the potential to reduce energy use while helping create a more sustainable future. 🔗 Learn more about Evercloak's latest milestone: evercloak.com/evercloak-secu… #CleanTech #OntarioInnovation

"There's so much to celebrate and even more to come." -Roula Thomas, Acting CEO All week, we've been celebrating four years of helping Ontario innovators protect, leverage and maximize the value of their homegrown intellectual property. Hear from Roula as she reflects on IPON's journey so far, the momentum we've built together and the impact we're making across Ontario's innovation ecosystem. None of this would be possible without the innovators who inspire us every day, the partners who amplify our impact and the dedicated team that helps bring our mission to life. Thank you for being part of the journey! Here's to four years of impact and to the opportunities, innovations and successes still to come. #IPONTurns4

IPON has worked alongside 30+ partners across Ontario to help innovators access IP funding, expertise, education, networks, and support throughout their innovation journey. These partnerships help businesses and researchers protect, leverage and maximize the value of their intellectual property. By bringing together organizations from across Ontario's innovation ecosystem, we're helping create clearer pathways to support while strengthening the resources available to innovators at every stage of growth. Thank you to the partners who continue to help build a stronger, more connected innovation ecosystem across Ontario. @AC_Waterloo, @AltitudeAccel, @BioenterpriseCA, @BoundlessAccel, @NRC_CNRC, @CEMI_mining, @dmzhq, @iac_canada, Innovation Initiatives Ontario North (IION), @InnovateNiagara, @iF_hamont, @ISED_CA, @investontario, @Invest_Ottawa, @launchlabca, @MaRSDD, @MineConnect_, @MitacsCanada, @nobellum_e, @NORCAT, @NWOInnovation, @OBIOscience, @OCInnovation, Sault Ste Marie Innovation Centre, @spark_centre, @TechAlliance, @UofTStartup, @VectorInst, @ventureLABca, @WEtechAlliance and @YSpaceYU #IPONTurns4

We 💙 supporting Ontario institutions as they develop intellectual property and translate research into real-world impact. Since launch, we have worked with 30+ postsecondary and research institutions across Ontario, helping strengthen IP capacity and advance commercialization outcomes. Together, we're helping researchers, students, entrepreneurs and innovators access the knowledge, resources and support needed to bring Ontario-made innovations closer to market. Thank you to the institutions that have been part of our first four years! We look forward to continuing to work together to turn research into impact and advance Ontario-made innovation. @Baycrest, @BrockUniversity, @Carleton_U, @CHEO, @CollegeLaCite, @ConestogaC, @GBPolytech, @georgiancollege, @HumberPoly, @LambtonCollege, @LaurentianU, @LHSCCanada, @McMasterU, @MohawkCollege, @niagaracollege, @OCAD, @OICR_news, @ontariotech_u, @queensu, @Sunnybrook, @TorontoMet, @TrentUniversity, @UnityHealthTO, @uofg, @uOttawa, @HeartInstitute, @UofT, @UWaterloo @UWindsor, @WesternU and @YorkUniversity #IPONTurns4

🎉 From an initial cohort of 40 clients to more than 1,700 innovators supported across Ontario. Over the past four years, we've helped innovators protect and maximize the value of their intellectual property, supporting the growth of businesses and helping advance research and innovation across the province. 🚀 To date, that support has helped protect 4,241 homegrown IP assets across Ontario, including: ✅ 3,132 protected by Ontario businesses ✅ 1,109 protected by postsecondary institutions and researchers From breakthrough research to market-ready innovations, these protected IP assets reflect the ingenuity, ambition and innovation powering Ontario's future. 💡 Thank you to the innovators, businesses, researchers, institutions and partners who have helped build a stronger innovation ecosystem through the creation, protection and commercialization of intellectual property. Join more than 1,700 Ontario innovators who have worked with IPON and discover how intellectual property can support your path to growth: ip-ontario.ca #IPONTurns4

The best part of the last four years? Seeing Ontario innovators succeed. 🚀 Over the past four years, we've had the privilege of working alongside entrepreneurs, researchers and businesses as they transform ideas into opportunities. Ontario innovators have described IPON as a trusted partner in their growth journey, helping them protect their intellectual property from the earliest stages, build credibility and move forward with confidence. As we celebrate four years, we're grateful to the innovators and companies who have trusted us to be part of their journey. Here's to four years of impact, and to the ideas, milestones and breakthroughs still to come. 🎉 #IPONTurns4

🚨 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐩 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭! Join us on October 23 for IPON Explained, a free public information session where you'll learn why IP matters and how IPON can help innovators protect and grow what's made in Ontario. 📅 October 23 | 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. 🔗 Save your spot now: ip-ontario.ca/events/ipon-ex…

Ontario has world-class innovators creating valuable IP. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐎𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐈𝐏 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞. That’s why we were pleased to bring together government and innovation leaders to explore how procurement can open doors for homegrown companies and strengthen our innovation economy. Thank you to everyone who joined us and shared their perspectives on advancing innovation and economic growth across the province: - Minister @StCrawford2 and Sehar Lutfi | Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement - @Jwallace_SO and @AlexBlair93 | @SupplyOntario - @CKrywiak | @OCInnovation - Stephanie Hanna | NuanceEdge - Connie Chen | @FACITca - @ElliotGFung, Roula Thomas, Kristy Smith | Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON)

Hear from our IP Manager, Mike Colucci, at @RH_SBEC's 7th Annual Entrepreneurship Finance Conference on October 21. This free, half-day virtual event brings together expert insights and practical advice to help entrepreneurs navigate the evolving financial landscape with confidence and clarity. Tune in for interactive sessions and conversations designed to strengthen your knowledge of capital and financial resources. 🔗 Save your spot today: bit.ly/4iRGcxO #RHFinanceConference

This #TipTuesday, we're taking a look at protecting your data. In today's knowledge economy, data can be one of your business's most valuable assets. Whether it's product testing data, experimental data, simulation data, customer data or derived data, these assets can have great commercial value and serve as a source of competitive advantage. Data can also create potential new revenue streams through licensing opportunities. 💡 A challenge with protecting data is that traditional types of intellectual property rights do not map cleanly to data. That's why it's important to use overlapping layers of protection, including trade secrets, tort and contract rights. 🔗 Learn more, including practical steps to protect your data: ip-ontario.ca/ip-toolkit-ip-…

Another big recognition for Ontario innovation! 👏 Hyivy Health has been named one of TIME’s World’s Top HealthTech Companies 2026, adding to its growing list of accolades as one of the world’s top FemTech innovators and one of Canada’s fastest-growing medical device companies. Rachel Bartholomew's Hyivy Health is developing an innovative pelvic health platform that combines therapy, monitoring and real-time data collection to help improve outcomes for women with pelvic floor and gynecological conditions. We're proud to support the intellectual property behind this groundbreaking Ontario innovation and celebrate its growing global impact. 🚀 Learn more about this Ontario innovator: hyivy.com/ 📖 See TIME's World's Top HealthTech Companies 2026: time.com/article/2026/09/16/…