Evaluation of the IP Assist initiative 2024-25 - summary report

About the initiative

The IP Assist initiative was a 3‑year, $75 million initiative launched in fiscal year (FY) 2021‑22 in alignment with Canada's Intellectual Property (IP) Strategy. Delivered by the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) and third-party implementers, IP Assist supported innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with grants and contributions (G&Cs) funding and advisory services.

IP Assist disbursed under half of the allocated G&Cs funding within its initial 3-year period:

• The overall budget was reduced to $67.7 million in year 1, including $60.2 million for G&Cs
• $27 million in G&Cs were disbursed from FY 2021-22 to 2023-24
• NRC IRAP intends to continue delivering IP Assist for an additional 3 years

Levels of service and reach

IP Assist supported 4,668 firms with up to 3 levels of service:

• Level 1, Awareness: 4,613 SMEs learned from NRC IRAP staff and IP experts on how they may leverage and safeguard their innovations (51% of target)
• Level 2, Strategy: 874 SMEs received funding to work with IP service providers and develop firm‑specific IP strategies (58% of target)
• Level 3, Action: 221 SMEs received funding to execute actions in their IP strategies (74% of target)

Key findings

Performance

NRC IRAP made progress towards achieving IP Assist outcomes. While reach targets were not met, the initiative effectively improved IP literacy among SME clients, enabling them to better manage and safeguard their IP. Accessing this support has positioned clients to better leverage their innovations to gain a competitive advantage.

Although it is too early to measure the longer‑term impacts on business growth, clients are optimistic about their future prospects, with some already benefiting from new market entry and expansion. The evaluation also found that the initiative fostered a newfound appreciation of IP among industrial technology advisors, ensuring ongoing benefits for NRC IRAP clients.

"I do not think we would have thought about IP the same way. We would have missed an opportunity. We would not have thought about licensing."

"We have learned a lot of surprising information we were not aware of."

Relevance

The evaluation identified continuing demand for IP support among Canadian SMEs. IP Assist was responsive to client needs and aligned well with government priorities, offering high-quality and valuable support within the IP ecosystem.

The introduction of other programs created beneficial synergies but also resulted in some potential duplication of efforts. In the absence of IP Assist, NRC IRAP clients would find it challenging to access alternative programs that provide comparable levels of funding and personalized support.

• 85% of surveyed clients said the initiative met their needs
• 79% said gaps would be created for SMEs without IP Assist

Implementation

NRC IRAP effectively delivered an IP support program that stakeholders generally found excellent and valuable. However, there were opportunities to enhance delivery efficiency by improving stakeholder engagement, implementation tools and guidance, and better utilizing human and financial resources.

Lessons learned

1. Delivery model: NRC IRAP's pivot to a hybrid delivery model with third parties significantly enhanced the effectiveness and efficiency of IP Assist.
2. Capacity assessment: Designing any new initiative requires a detailed assessment of in-house competencies and capacities.
3. Implementation guidance: Provide detailed and uniform guidance to all implementers from the outset, including clear processes for client engagement, targeted client numbers and mechanisms for connecting clients to experts.
4. Interagency coordination: If NRC IRAP continues IP Assist or launches another initiative where comparable programs exist, explore formal coordination with other programs to enhance efficiency and mitigate duplication.
5. Timelines and targets: Ensure new initiatives allocate sufficient time for launch and implementation, and set realistic targets.
6. Performance monitoring: Leverage existing technology familiar to staff while ensuring these tools are well-suited for efficiently tracking services, monitoring outcomes and informing decisions.

About the evaluation

The evaluation assessed the extent to which the initiative was responsive to a continuing need for IP support, was delivered efficiently and effectively, and achieved its expected outcomes. A mixed-methods approach was used, incorporating qualitative and quantitative data from several lines of evidence, including a client survey, interviews with internal and external actors, data and document reviews, and client case studies. In addition, a Gender-based Analysis Plus lens was applied to the evaluation.