Mitacs and IPON partner to protect IP for development and commercialization, empowering research talent in Ontario

January 21, 2026 

Toronto, ON – Mitacs and Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Toronto to ensure that Ontario businesses have seamless access to IP protection, commercialization support, and research talent.

The Honourable Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, provided remarks in support of ongoing collaboration across government, industry, and academia in Ontario. Through this agreement, Mitacs and IPON will jointly support Ontario small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with IP development and commercialization strategies. This collaboration will establish a formal referral pathway between agencies, co-hosting of IP capacity-building events, and joint visibility initiatives.

As a national innovation connector, Mitacs supports business-academic research collaboration through co-funded internships for undergraduate to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Mitacs serves as an essential research-commercialization bridge, accelerating market entry and growth for new products and services.

IPON is a provincial agency that provides intellectual property (IP) supports and services to help businesses and researchers innovate and grow.

As of today’s signing, and active until March 1, 2027, this collaboration will ensure long-term alignment on sovereign IP retention. Today’s partnership builds on a series of recently signed MOUs that strengthen innovation across Ontario’s ecosystem including agreements with MaRS, OBIO®, and eCampus Ontario.

Over 40+ industry leaders in the innovation ecosystem – including speakers Sandeep Kohli, Managing Director, XLSCOUT, and Jessie Yue, Marketing Lead, Xatoms – attended the signing event today at the Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus at University of Toronto, showcasing the broad range and depth of Ontario’s entrepreneurialism, innovation, and collaboration.

Quotes 

“Mitacs and Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) are committed to supporting Ontario businesses by ensuring they have seamless access to IP protection, commercialization support, and access to top research talent. This partnership is an important example of how academic-industry collaboration can bolster R&D, build innovation capacity, and strengthen Canada’s global competitiveness.” 

Dr. Stephen Lucas, CEO, Mitacs

“In the face of economic uncertainty, it is imperative that Ontario protects our discoveries so we can turn ideas into real results that strengthen our economy. Through this partnership, Mitacs and IPON will ensure that our homegrown businesses have the resources they need to commercialize Ontario-made innovation and compete on the global stage.” 

Hon. Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security

“Mitacs plays an important role in strengthening Ontario’s innovation economy. By working together, we can ensure more businesses have the IP support they need to secure the value of their innovations, develop new technologies, and deliver real economic impact.”

Paul Paolatto, Interim CEO, IPON

About Mitacs 

For over 25 years, Mitacs has helped grow the economy and develop the workforce of tomorrow, connecting industry with academia and global partners to solve real-world challenges. We support business-academic research collaboration through internships, co-funded with businesses, for undergraduate to graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. 

As a national innovation connector, Mitacs takes a talent-first approach to strengthen innovation capacity and drive global competitiveness. We serve as an essential research-commercialization bridge, accelerating market entry and growth for new products and services. 

Mitacs is funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon.  

About IPON 

Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) is a provincial agency that provides trusted IP support and services to enable Ontario businesses and researchers to innovate and grow. IPON works directly with innovators and postsecondary institutions to help them better understand how to protect and maximize the value of their IP, strengthen their capacity to grow and compete in the market, and advance the province’s economic growth. For more information: www.ip-ontario.ca

For further information, please contact: 

Caroline Dobuzinskis

Manager, Communications & Public Affairs

Mitacs

[email protected] | 236-334-3863

Ziona Eyob

Senior Communications & Public Affairs Specialist

Mitacs

[email protected]