Fuel Innovation, the City of Orillia’s Innovation Collective, in collaboration with the Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre (HBEC) of Georgian College, is pleased to offer a free workshop aimed at helping local entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small-to-medium-sized businesses navigate the essentials of intellectual property (IP).
“Orillia is home to a growing number of innovative entrepreneurs and small businesses,” said Mayor Don McIsaac. “We are proud to offer workshops like this one to provide guidance and help empower our community with the knowledge and resources needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving market.”
The IP Fundamentals for Your Business workshop gives participants practical, easy-to-understand insights into the critical role that IP plays in driving business success. IP refers to the legal rights that protect a business’s creations, such as inventions, brand names, logos, products, and even unique business processes. For businesses of all sizes, protecting these assets are crucial—whether it’s to safeguard their competitive edge, attract investors, or prevent others from copying their ideas.
Workshop Details
Date and Time: Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, 10-11:30 a.m.
Location: Orillia Public Library, 36 Mississaga St. W., Orillia, Ont.,
Registration: Registration is limited. Visit bit.ly/IP-Fuel to register.
“Fuel Innovation is dedicated to supporting local businesses and fostering a thriving entrepreneurial community. This IP workshop is part of our ongoing efforts to equip businesses with the tools and resources needed to succeed in today’s competitive landscape,” said Prerna Sharma, Manager of Fuel Innovation. “Join us for an insightful session designed to give a practical introduction to IP and show how it can bring real value to your business.”
The workshop will be conducted by Elizabeth Collinson from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) and Felix Yuen from HBEC, Georgian College. Discover how IP can increase the value of your business and protect your innovation, what to consider at different stages of your business or product development, the risks you face when IP is overlooked and how to avoid them, and real-world examples from case studies showing how businesses have leveraged IP.
With 45 minutes of expert content and 45 minutes of networking, attendees will also have the chance to speak one-on-one with experts who can answer specific questions and guide them on their IP journey.
“This exciting workshop is designed to take the mystery out of intellectual property and help entrepreneurs make better business decisions,” said Ryan Burwell, Manager, Programs and Services, HBEC, Georgian College. “Understanding IP is essential for businesses of all shapes and sizes and Elizabeth Collinson from CIPO and Felix Yuen from HBEC are amazing resources for Orillia’s entrepreneurial community.”
The workshop is part of a Georgian College and Lakehead University Orillia project, funded by Intellectual Property Ontario, to support Central Ontario businesses in commercializing their intellectual property. For more information about the workshop, including the agenda, visit orillia.ca/innovation.