Innovators, entrepreneurs, and creators now have access to free intellectual property (IP) support across Waterloo, Brantford, and Milton through a new initiative that connects local needs with emerging student talent. Wilfrid Laurier University’s Lazaridis Intellectual Property Lab is helping community members protect their ideas and bring them to market by offering accessible guidance on patents, trademarks, copyrights, and more – giving students hands-on access to free IP education and business strategy support and empowering them to protect, strengthen, and commercialize their ideas.
Staffed by students and led by expert faculty, the lab not only fills a key gap for underserved businesses and artists, but also provides students with hands-on experience applying their classroom learning to real-world challenges. This gives learners across disciplines the foundational tools to navigate the often-complex world of intellectual property – critical knowledge in a region known for its high concentration of startups and innovation.
The lab also addresses a key barrier for student-led startups and small businesses: the high cost of intellectual property support that often delays or prevents early IP strategy. Unlike traditional legal clinics, the IP Lab blends strategic business insight with practical IP education, tailored to support those without access to costly legal resources.
By collaborating with startup founders, faculty, and community members and helping local organizations navigate IP strategy and commercialization, the Lab is strengthening the region’s capacity for innovation and ensuring more great ideas have the opportunity to grow.
For more information, visit Wilfrid Laurier University.
