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IP Pathways

Learn the Fundamentals, Protect your Innovations


A strong intellectual property strategy can give your startup a competitive edge, but knowing when and where to start isn’t always easy. IP Pathways provides founders, executives, and employees with the fundamental knowledge needed to align IP strategy with business growth.

This free, online program is designed for BC-based startups and scaleups, offering expert-led sessions, practical case studies, and certification upon completion. Whether you’re new to IP or looking to deepen your understanding, IP Pathways helps you gain the skills to protect and leverage your innovations.

Register Here

Who is the program for?

  • Founders and C-level executives at small to medium-sized organizations in BC
  • Employees in startups or scaleups where IP strategy is critical to their role
  • Learners seeking a flexible, online way to strengthen their IP knowledge
  • AccelerateIP Stream 2-2 and Stream 3 participants fulfilling education requirement

How It Works

  • Informational sessions covering IP fundamentals, strategy, and business alignment
    • Key topics: IP & Data; IP Layering; IP Registrations; and IP Licensing & Enforcement
  • Interactive learning with lectures, case studies, group discussions, Q&A with IP professionals, and a final exam
  • Recognition upon completing the IP Pathways Program, you earn a Certificate of Completion, a LinkedIn badge, and “Certified” status, which qualifies you for education-based eligibility in other funding streams.

Two Ways to Learn

With busy professionals in mind, the program is available in two flexible formats:

  • Intensive 1-Day Session – A fast-paced, 5-hour workshop for those who want to complete the program in a single day.
  • Flexible, Online 4-Session Series – Spread over four 1.5-hour online classes, ideal for fitting into your work week with less disruption.

Upcoming Cohorts

Intensive 1-Day Sessions:

  • August 28 — in partnership with Indigenous Tech Circle (virtual session from 10AM – 3PM)
  • September 9 – Virtual (10AM – 3PM)
  • October 16 – Victoria (in-person)
  • December 3 – Vancouver: (in-person)

Flexible, Online 4-Session Series:

  • August 14, 19, 21, 26
  • October 21, 23, 28, 30
  • November 18, 20, 25, 27

More cohort dates coming soon.

Program Instructor

Susan Tees

Susan Tees is a veteran Class I patent agent with experience in Canadian and US patent law and practice. She has over 30 years of experience, including the preparation and filing of approximately 100 submissions to the US and Canadian patent offices, or through foreign associates. Her varied experience spans industries including drug manufacturing, mobile phone applications, DNA constructs, and personal health appliances. Susan works with her clients to create their IP strategy and advise them on strategies to protect their innovations as they build their business.

Have an IP question?   Sign up for office hours with Susan.

Program Testimonials

IP Pathways is a crash course on the important and complex world of IP. Every founder should take this course as early as possible in their start-up journey.

IP Pathways has been an eye opener to better understand IP concepts that are often mentioned during financing events or by investors. I realized through out the process that my understanding of these concepts was a blind spot, and I now feel very comfortable defending our IP strategy to an investor, or potential investor.

The IP Pathways program is a very helpful initiative that is critical to founders keen on obtaining clarity regarding various forms of IP and related aspects they may be required to handle at various stages of their entrepreneurship journey. I would definitely recommend the program to anyone embarking on an IP-based or IP-adjacent venture as a foundational course that is agnostic to and highly relevant for different business domains.

The IP Pathways program was great at providing a critical foundation for protecting your intellectual property of all types. I highly recommend it to all management teams or early-stage founders beginning to consider an IP strategy.

The most valuable takeaway from this IP course was the shift in my thinking towards strategic IP management. It taught me when to bring in professionals, gave me a toolbox of IP resources, and explained how to use IP both offensively and defensively. But above all, it instilled the importance of developing a comprehensive IP strategy from the outset. This course is a must for anyone looking to safeguard their intellectual assets.

Susan Tees is an exceptional mentor. Her comprehensive understanding of IP laws, regulations, and trends is truly commendable. She has a remarkable ability to break down complex concepts, making learning accessible and engaging. Her positive aura, combined with her insightful suggestions throughout the course, created a dynamic learning environment. She made even the most challenging topics feel approachable, and her guidance was invaluable in fostering both understanding and enthusiasm for intellectual property.

Taking this course was an incredible experience, and Susan was phenomenal. Her expertise and teaching style made a significant impact, and I came away having learned so much. I particularly enjoyed learning about IP strategy and how it aligns with the business's overall goals, and I have already begun implementing these newfound skills within my own organization. Overall, this course was an excellent learning opportunity, and I'm grateful for the knowledge and skills I've gained. I look forward to attending more learning opportunities with New Ventures BC in the future!

If you are hesitating about registering for this course, press ahead with confidence. It is absolutely packed end to end with high value information in a format that any level of business person can engage with. I am a career construction worker who has incorporated a startup business to advance a technology I have developed. I was very nervous that I wouldn't be able to absorb the information or participate in the discussions in a meaningful way, but in the end there was nothing to fear. The presenters and administrators of this program are very knowledgeable and patient. There is literally no risk in participating in this course, but to go forward with a patent or other IP protection without this information could be catastrophic. Jump with both feet. You'll be so glad you did.

I would highly recommend the IP Strategy Course for business owners seeking to develop their understanding of the importance of IP. The course-load was manageable, and going through the required readings and live lectures significantly increased my knowledge of IP. I feel 10x more confident to apply the lessons learned from this course to building my business' IP Strategy.

The IP Pathways program has been an absolute game-changer for our business. It simplified the complex world of intellectual property, providing us with clear strategies to protect our innovations and gain a competitive edge. The expertise and support we received were invaluable, empowering us to confidently navigate IP challenges and drive our growth.

I think this program "turbo-charged" a critical portion of my brain - the portion that wants more than just a profitable business. In the AI-powered insanity that we're swimming in now, an IP strategy should be a universal rudiment. Committing time and resources to education and execution is now necessary for those of us who could otherwise find our businesses drowned in the innovation wave that is rising over the world of knowledge and creative work.

Resources & Past Events

IP Pathways is part of a broader effort to strengthen intellectual property knowledge and strategy across British Columbia. Explore the following resources and initiatives as a part of the BC IP Strategy.

BC IP Hub

Developed in alignment with the Province of British Columbia's Intellectual Property Strategy, this is a one-stop-shop destination for relevant and dynamic IP resources in support of B.C. companies and entrepreneurs.

Access Here

IP Whitepaper: Why Canada Needs a Unified Approach to IP Education

A proposal for national alignment on the approach to the creation and delivery of IP education for Canadian innovation businesses and post-secondary institutions, to address long standing systemic IP literacy gaps.

Read It Here

2025 IP Summit

The IP Summit, presented by New Ventures BC, Innovate BC and the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, was a premier conference designed to equip startups, innovators, and industry professionals across BC with the tools and insights to safeguard their intellectual property.

Webpage Coming Soon

We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of Innovate BC and the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation.