Lunch&Learn: Empowering Entrepreneurs: Effective Strategies for IP Commercialization and Success
Empowering Entrepreneurs: Effective Strategies for IP Commercialization and Success
Intellectual Property (IP) issues are becoming exceedingly important for entrepreneurs to consider and account for. From protecting one’s own work to navigating issues surrounding infringement, IP has strategic implications for ventures of all sizes and stages of development. This workshop will cover key points that entrepreneurs should take into account. Namely: (1) Building Business Around IP (2) Cost of IP, and Choosing the Right Type of Protection (3) Prior Art Searching (4) Understand/Enhance Market Position (5) Attracting Investment Form (6) Strategic Partnerships. The workshop will feature representatives from the IP Innovation Clinic (Osgoode Hall Law School, York University) and York University Office of the VPRI.
Agenda:
Opening Remarks
Introductions & Why IP?
Workshop Presentation
Questions & Answers
This event is also a unique opportunity to connect with founders from the Women in Tech JumpSTART incubator program.
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Dr. Joseph Turcotte is an award-winning IP and commercialization analyst and specialist with hands-on experience servicing clients with complex IP needs. He leads and manages the operations of Canada’s largest pro bono IP law clinic. Working with the Director, Joseph defines the strategic direction of the Clinic and its services as well as executes the Clinic’s services, education, marketing, and outreach strategies. Previously, he held progressively senior roles at a fast-growing IP and boutique law firm in Toronto, leading the IP & Client Solutions team while serving as the firm’s main point of contact surrounding IP needs of existing clients and prospective clients. He assisted the firm’s clients with assessing their complex IP needs and provided recommendations for appropriate IP strategies and services. He holds a PhD from the Joint Graduate Program in Communication & Culture (Politics & Policy) at York University and Toronto Metropolitan University (then Ryerson University).
About the Women in Tech JumpSTART Program
The Women in Tech JumpSTART Incubator program is a bespoke and flexible membership program supporting Ontario-based women-led tech ventures to scale and grow. This program is offered in partnership with YSpace, Schulich School of Business and Treefrog Accelerator and was created with generous funding through the York Region Innovation Fund.
With a network of industry experts, entrepreneurs, and advisors, the program is designed to help founders to navigate the growth journey beyond the launch.
About Our Funders
About York Region
The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to over 1.25 million residents and 57,000 businesses with more than 629,000 employees. Strategically positioned in the Greater Toronto area, York Region is Ontario’s third largest business centre and is among Canada’s largest Information and Communications Technology, Life Sciences and Financial Services business clusters. It is also an innovation hub and a rich pool of talent for established businesses and new ventures. York Region supports economic development with a pro-business environment offering a range of investment assistance and resources for businesses and non-profits both large and small.
About the City of Markham
The City of Markham is one of the most vibrant, diverse, and rapidly growing communities in the Greater Toronto Area. Home to more than 365,000 residents and a thriving business ecosystem of over 10,000 companies — including 1,500 technology firms — Markham is recognized for its forward-thinking urban planning, dynamic entrepreneurial spirit, and strong pro-business environment.
Through the Markham Small Business Centre, the city provides dedicated support to entrepreneurs and small business owners. A team of passionate business advisors offers personalized, one-on-one consulting and access to essential resources, helping local businesses launch, grow, and succeed in today’s competitive marketplace. www.markhambusiness.ca
About the Host
About YSpace
YSpace is York University’s pan-university entrepreneurship and innovation hub supporting startups and entrepreneurs from a variety of sectors and communities. Our programming spans across scaling innovative technologies through customer and investor capital to scaling agri-food businesses into mass retail to diversity-focused initiatives like ELLA powered by Desjardins for women-led businesses and Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA) for Black-led businesses. Additionally with our Start-Up Visa program, we are building a robust ecosystem, driving positive change and empowering entrepreneurs to shape the future. We are also home to two physical hubs in the City of Markham and the Town of Georgina.
https://www.yorku.ca/yspace/