Many Canadian businesses want to commercialize new technology but don’t have the time or budget to develop intellectual property (IP) from scratch. ExploreIP solves this problem by giving you a single place to find licensable Canadian intellectual property developed by universities, colleges, and government research labs. The platform is run by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and is open to businesses across the country.
ExploreIP is not a grant. It is a discovery tool that helps you identify existing IP you can license, adapt, or build into your products faster.
ExploreIP is a federal online platform that lists thousands of IP assets available for collaboration or licensing. These assets are held by Canadian academic institutions, government departments, and other publicly funded research organizations.
ExploreIP is designed for:
There are no formal eligibility requirements to browse the platform. Access is free, and you do not need to be incorporated to search listings.
Using ExploreIP is straightforward, but knowing how to search strategically saves time.
You can search ExploreIP using keywords related to:
Each listing typically includes a plain-language description of the IP and its potential commercial applications.
When you click into an IP asset, look for:
This information helps you decide whether the IP fits your business model before starting a conversation.
ExploreIP allows you to signal interest directly through the platform. This typically connects you with the institution’s technology transfer or industry partnerships office.
From there, discussions may include:
Licensing costs are not set by ExploreIP. Terms are negotiated directly with the IP owner.
Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter programs by province and industry in seconds, especially if you plan to pair IP licensing with commercialization funding.
While ExploreIP itself does not provide funding, it pairs well with Canadian grants that support:
Many federal and provincial programs expect you to show access to IP or freedom to operate. A licensing discussion started through ExploreIP can strengthen future grant applications.
For example, licensed IP can support applications under commercialization or sector-specific innovation programs.
Assuming ExploreIP provides funding
ExploreIP is a discovery platform, not a grant or subsidy. Budget separately for licensing and development costs.
Ignoring the stage of development
Some IP is early-stage research. Make sure it aligns with your timeline and technical capacity.
Not preparing a use case before contacting the IP owner
Institutions respond faster when you clearly explain how you plan to use and commercialize the IP.
Overlooking follow-on support
Licensing IP is often just the first step. Many businesses forget to plan for scale-up, validation, or regulatory funding.
Q: Is ExploreIP a grant or funding program?
No. ExploreIP does not provide money. It helps you find licensable IP owned by Canadian research institutions.
Q: How much does it cost to use ExploreIP?
Access to the platform is free. Licensing fees and terms are negotiated directly with the IP owner.
Q: What types of intellectual property are listed?
ExploreIP includes patents, patent applications, technologies, and research outputs from academic and government institutions.
Q: Who can use ExploreIP?
Businesses, startups, and innovators can all use ExploreIP. There are no stated restrictions on who can search the platform.
Q: How do I contact an IP owner through ExploreIP?
Each listing includes a way to express interest, which connects you with the institution responsible for the IP.
GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant programs across Canada — check which ones match your business profile, especially if you plan to commercialize licensed IP.
ExploreIP is a practical first step if your business needs proven technology without long R&D cycles. Once you identify licensable Canadian intellectual property, the next move is finding funding to commercialize it. GrantHub helps you connect the dots between IP discovery and the grants that can support your growth.
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