In our first year at uOttawa Kanata North, the clinic will provide pro bono legal support to up to 20 startups.
Startups will receive up to 15 hours of premium legal services, valued at approximately $9,500 per company. Founders will gain access to legal guidance on key business issues that can influence the growth, commercialization and long-term success of their ventures.
The application period for the clinic’s inaugural cohort is open and closes July 6, 2026.
The clinic will also deliver legal education programming and community engagement initiatives to strengthen Canada’s innovation ecosystem.
Education and engagement initiatives include:
We’re an academic pro bono legal clinic that’s part of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program at the uOttawa Faculty of Law, Common Law Section.
Launched in 2025, we operate in partnership with Norton Rose Fulbright Canada, a leading national and international business law firm, and Futurpreneur, Canada’s leading national organization supporting entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39.
In our first year of operation, we supported 24 young entrepreneurs across Canada and delivered more than $240,000 in pro bono business law services. Building on this strong foundation, we aim to become one of Canada’s leading business law clinics serving entrepreneurs and innovators.
We also provide law students with experiential learning opportunities while helping early-stage entrepreneurs navigate business law issues, including intellectual property, contracts, commercialization and legal risk management.
Our clinic reflects uOttawa’s commitment to innovation, access to justice, bilingualism and community impact, while strengthening the connection between the Faculty of Law and the Kanata North innovation ecosystem.
The launch and operation of the clinic is made possible through funding provided under the Intellectual Property Clinics Program administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).
