New Ventures BC and Innovate BC Become CENGN Members to Provide IP Services to Canadian Tech Startups and Scaleups

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, September 3, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- New Ventures BC and Innovate BC Become CENGN Members to Provide IP Services to Canadian Tech Startups and Scaleups

• This partnership will provide access to IP education and mentorship services for Canadian tech startups and scaleups.

• This is an added feature to CENGN Living Lab validation projects, where Canadian businesses can validate their technology in real-world and data centre environments in preparation for market entry, their next customer, or scaled growth.

• New Ventures BC and Innovate BC join a growing list of collaborative CENGN members supporting a thriving Canadian innovation ecosystem.

Today, CENGN announced its newest members and partnership with New Ventures BC and Innovate BC. Through the partnership, the CENGN Living Lab Initiative will now include access to New Ventures BC and Innovate BC’s IP education and mentorship services. These services will be available to any Canadian startups and scaleups conducting a CENGN Living Lab project to validate their technology for market entry, customer adoption, or scaled growth.

By offering access to advanced infrastructure, expert support, and real-world testing environments, the CENGN Living Lab Initiative drives technology adoption across key economic sectors. It plays a critical role in boosting Canadian industry competitiveness, fostering new Intellectual Property, and fueling the growth of the country’s most promising technology ventures.

Expanding the Initiative’s services to include access to IP services will enable innovative Canadian startups to make informed, strategic decisions about intellectual property, strengthening commercialization, improving investment readiness, reducing business risk, and increasing long-term business value.


New Ventures BC and Innovate BC’s IP Services to Add Critical Support for Growing Canadian Startups

As Canada’s Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks, CENGN drives the innovation and adoption of advanced networking technologies in Canada through connected infrastructure, technical expertise and services, talent development, and the nurturing of a thriving innovation ecosystem.

“We are thrilled to partner with New Ventures BC and Innovate BC on this critical piece of complete commercial success. IP is not a side conversation; it plays a pivotal role in a company’s success. Being able to provide fundamental IP strategy services as a part of a CENGN Living Lab project, enables a more holistic offering to the innovative Canadian startups and scaleups we support.” Sandra Cutrona, President & CEO, CENGN.

New Ventures BC and Innovate BC services go beyond IP creation, recognizing that the right outcome is not always a patent. For some growing businesses, the best strategy may be trade secret protection, trademark registration, careful use of open source software, or simply avoiding costly IP mistakes. A high-quality IP education and mentoring program helps founders choose the protection strategy that best fits their technology, market, and business goals.

“New Ventures BC is pleased to join CENGN in a partnership to deliver IP services to Canada’s most innovative startups and scaleups. The CENGN Living Lab Initiative is actively accelerating Canada’s homegrown leadership in transformative technologies that advance key Canadian and global sectors. Through IP support, we can protect Canadian innovation while it flourishes abroad.” Angie Schick, Executive Director, New Ventures BC.

“A strong IP strategy can help companies make smarter business decisions, attract investment and position themselves for growth. Through our partnership with CENGN, we’re helping more Canadian startups and scaleups access the IP education and mentorship they need to make informed decisions that support their business goals. That foundation can help companies reduce risk, build long-term value and scale with confidence – supporting the growth of Canadian innovation from coast to coast to coast.” Peter Cowan, President & CEO, Innovate BC.


Federal Government’s ISED Invests $45 Million

Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada (ISED)’s $45 million investment in CENGN aims to expedite the technology transformation of Canadian industry while directly supporting 100 Canadian innovative technology companies through Innovation and Adoption Projects. Each Innovation Project includes up to $250K in co-investment funding to the startup or scaleup, a number which increases up to $500K for Adoption Projects.

This funding is expected to provide a major return on investment, including

- A significant boost in GDP growth

- The creation and safeguarding of critical tech jobs in Canada

- The launch of innovative Canadian products in the global market

- The generation of disruptive and impactful Canadian IP patents

- Sales growth and substantial follow-on investment for participating Canadian startups and scaleups

- Acceleration of Technology Readiness Levels for participating Canadian companies

- The entry of skilled professionals into critical digital technology roles nationwide

“Canadian innovators need the right tools and expertise to turn great ideas into successful businesses. By bringing intellectual property support directly into CENGN’s Living Lab Initiative, this partnership will help Canadian startups and scaleups protect their innovations, strengthen their commercialization strategies and compete with confidence here at home and around the world.” The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions.

“Canada’s technology companies need more than access to cutting-edge infrastructure, they also need the knowledge and support to protect the ideas they develop. By combining real-world technology validation with intellectual property expertise, this partnership will help Canadian innovators bring stronger solutions to market, scale their businesses and compete globally.” The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.


Resources:

New Ventures BC, IP Services – https://www.newventuresbc.com/programs/accelerateip/
Innovate BC, IP Hub – https://www.bcip.ca/
CENGN Living Lab Initiative – https://www.cengn.ca/living-lab-initiative/
ISED SRF Program – https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/ised/en/programs-and-initiatives/strategic-response-fund


Media Contact:

Rick Penwarden
Communications Director
CENGN -Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks
613-963-1203
Rick.Penwarden@cengn.ca


CENGN – Canada’s Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks

CENGN, Canada's Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks, drives innovation and adoption of applied AI, IoT, and advanced networking technologies through its Living Lab Initiative, technical expertise, and partner ecosystem. Through our services, we enable the digital transformation and competitiveness of the Canadian industry and the commercial growth of Canadian digital technology solutions. CENGN provides access to real end-user environments and the end-to-end testing services and expertise that accelerate validation, demonstration, commercialization, and adoption of digital innovation solutions across Canada and the globe.

Our unique expertise and positioning as a neutral third party in an ecosystem of technology, innovation, government, and academic partners, paired with a long track record of overperforming on program mandates, have made CENGN a trusted leader in delivering Government initiatives that support network technology innovation.

For more information on the CENGN Living Labs or for general inquiries on CENGN, please contact services@cengn.ca.

New Ventures BC

For 26 years, New Ventures BC has been a pillar of BC’s startup community, empowering early-stage tech companies with the tools, mentorship, and funding they need to succeed. As a non-profit, NVBC programs include the annual New Ventures BC Competition, Accelerator Programs, BC's Capital Raising Index, IP Pathways and AccelerateIP — supporting thousands of founders as they launch and grow. To date, NVBC has helped launch some of BC’s top tech success stories, contributing to a thriving innovation ecosystem that has created thousands of jobs and attracted over $3.4 billion in investment.

www.newventuresbc.com

Innovate BC

Innovate BC helps turn bold ideas into real-world impact. As a Crown agency, Innovate BC serves as a trusted advisor and partner for British Columbia’s innovation ecosystem. Its diverse programs and initiatives advance opportunities for made-in-B.C. innovations, giving companies, industries and communities the resources they need to grow and prosper.

https://www.innovatebc.ca/

Rick Penwarden
CENGN
+1 613-963-1200 ext. 329
email us here