Commercialization Framework
Commercialization Framework
Turn your research into something the world can use.
At ULethbridge, we empower researchers, students, and partners to transform discoveries and creative ideas into solutions that improve lives, strengthen communities, and create economic opportunities. By fostering an entrepreneurial culture and providing resources, we support the journey from discovery to application, amplifying research value while contributing to Alberta's long-term prosperity and competitiveness.
We turn research breakthroughs into real-world solutions, guiding each idea from concept to marketplace. Our systemic approach connects you with resources and a database of experts who can advise on intellectual property and innovation. Our goal is to make our research more impactful, protect intellectual property, and build lasting revenue streams.
The Office of Research and Innovation Services helps you move a discovery toward real-world use, whether that means a license to an existing company, a startup, a research partnership, or an open release. You do not need a business plan, a patent, or a finished product to start. One conversation is enough. The office assesses how ready an idea is, funds the first patent filing, negotiates the agreements, and connects you to intellectual property experts and programs to take you further.
Talk to us about your idea
Where you
are on the
pathway
Five stages from a promising result
to real world use, showing what we
do for you at each one and where
we connect you beyond campus.
How we help
Five services, each with its own page. Start anywhere; we will tell you if another one fits better.
Assess readiness
A structured look at where your idea stands on technology, customers, business, intellectual property, team and funding.
Protect the idea
Advice on what to protect and how, plus support for a first patent filing through the Innovation Protection Fund.
Agreements and licensing
License, option and partnership agreements, negotiated so that both you and the partner are properly covered.
Funding and partnerships
Help find the right program, build the partnership and prepare the application, from Mitacs to NSERC Alliance, etc.
Start a company
Entrepreneurship support through Agility, plus the practical questions of incorporation, conflict of interest and use of university facilities.
Resources beyond campus
Alberta has more programs than any one page can list, and eligibility differs a great deal between them. Several require an incorporated business, and some are open to you as a researcher. Tell us where your idea sits and we will make the introduction rather than leaving you to navigate it alone.
1. Intellectual Property Strategy
In 2018, the Government of Canada launched a comprehensive Intellectual Property (IP) Strategy to help Canadian businesses, creators, entrepreneurs and innovators understand, protect and access IP.
2. Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO)
The federal office that registers patents, trademarks and copyright. It also offers free IP education, search tools and clinics through the IP Academy.
3. Lab2Market
A national program that helps researchers test the market for an idea before committing to it. The Alberta hub runs a 16 week Validate cohort with $10,000 in funding, and uLethbridge is a delivery partner.
4. Trade Commissioner Service (CanExport SMEs and CanExport Innovation)
Support for reaching international markets, including CanExport funding and the Canadian Technology Accelerators. CanExport Innovation is open to academic institutions as well as companies.
5. Mitacs Accelerate Entrepreneur
Funded internships of $15,000 that help a startup refine and commercialize its technology. The applicant is a student or postdoctoral founder who owns an incorporated startup housed at an approved incubator, with a faculty member acting as academic supervisor, so this is the route for founders coming out of your lab rather than for faculty themselves.
1. Free IP Strategy Consultation for BioAlberta Members
Parlee McLaws is offering a free IP Strategy Consultation for BioAlberta members. These IP Strategy Consultations are designed to support business owners, innovators, and entrepreneurs in developing a clear and practical approach to their intellectual property. Consultations are available for general IP matters, as well as focused sessions on patents, trademarks, or a combined patent and trademark strategy. These sessions provide tailored guidance to help you better understand your IP position, identify opportunities for protection, align your strategy with your business goals. They will provide you with an IP strategy cheat sheet to help you answer questions from investors and funders. To learn more or book a consultation, please visit: parlee.com/expertise/intellectual-property. When filling in the booking form, be sure to indicate you are a BioAlberta member. Please contact ORIS (oris.pcc@uleth.ca) if you require assistance during this process.
2. [In progress] Alberta Intellectual Property Office (AIPO)
Established in 2026 under Alberta Innovates, it will provide leadership and support across the IP lifecycle to turn local innovations into commercial products, new ventures, and sustained economic growth. The Alberta Intellectual Property Office serves as a province-wide hub for:
- IP awareness and education
- IP strategy development
- Patent and trademark support
- Commercialization guidance
- Market intelligence and analysis
- Data and patent pooling initiatives
- Connections to legal and technical expertise
The Office works with researchers, entrepreneurs, post-secondary institutions, and technology transfer offices across Alberta.
elevateip-ab.com: Under Alberta Innovates, the Alberta IP Office will serve as a dedicated IP hub for Alberta's innovation ecosystem, filling a critical gap that is currently not being addressed, a hub for developing IP capability and protection. It will also provide support such as legal expertise, market analysis, education, and resourcing to close the gap between research and development and commercialization, monetization, and economic development. The office will be governed by a board of directors, with guidance from IP professionals. The Government has allocated $8 million to support this initiative.
Further reading: Three things you should know about building an IP strategy to attract investment (Alberta Innovates)
3. ElevateIP Alberta
Funds IP strategy and implementation for startups, up to $15,000 for a strategy and up to $100,000 for filings and opinions. An incorporated business must apply.
4. Alberta Innovates
The provincial innovation agency. Micro Vouchers and Vouchers fund up to $100,000 of development work, and Technology Development Advisors help you find the right program.
5. RINSA, the Regional Innovation Network of Southern Alberta
Free one to one business advising, matched to an advisor through its Ecosystem Navigator, plus self paced entrepreneurship workshops through Education on Demand.
1. Recommended IP lawyers
ORIS has been working closely with local IP lawyers that may support your application and provide all the guidance during this critical step. Please contact oris.pcc@uleth.ca for more information.
2. Clarivate
Clarivate offers coaching support and assessment tools that will help you identify gaps and weaknesses before your next step. Our office was supported with institutional discounts from Clarivate to use their resources. Please contact oris.pcc@uleth.ca for more information.
3. About the Innovation Readiness Program
It determines eligibility for our internal Patent Funding and provides an assessment using the KTH tool. Please contact oris.pcc@uleth.ca for more information.
4. Invention Disclosure Form
The first formal step once you have a result worth protecting. Complete it and send it to oris.pcc@uleth.ca.
Start here
Send us a short description of what you have and what you would like it to do in the world. There is no commitment, and early conversations are confidential.
Talk to us about your idea Submit an invention disclosure
Commercialization in action
AuraWave technology project a first of its kind for Fine Arts
From an idea that started at a dining room table to a tangible project being discussed in corporate boardrooms, University of Lethbridge music professor Dr. Arlan Schultz is making his research a reality.
BeeSafe Biotech: Fast, affordable honey bee diagnostics
Founded in 2024 in Lethbridge, Alberta, BeeSafe Biotech started as a passion project between three scientists who wanted to take their lab research beyond the bench.