Official Canadian representative of IFIA
FICI helps people move from no idea to invention, intellectual property, commercialization and international opportunity. Since 2015, we've been Canada's link to the International Federation of Inventors' Associations.
Founded
2015 in Toronto
IFIA
Official Canadian representative of IFIA
Chapters
6 across Canada
Network
135+ organizations in 95+ countries
Tell us who you are and we’ll point you to the right place.
Curious about inventing but unsure where to begin? Start here.
Find your chapterYou have built something real. Let’s take it further, including abroad.
Join the National TeamMove your research beyond the lab and toward real applications.
Explore commercializationFind partners, investors and new markets, in Canada and beyond.
See how we helpYour idea matters more than your background. Barriers are ours to remove.
Discover Inclusive InnovatorsBring hands-on invention programs to your students or community.
Bring a program to youMeet vetted Canadian innovations ready for partnerships and pilots.
Partner with FICINot on this list?
Every route into FICI — membership, the National Team, chapters, volunteering, partnership — in one place.
Most programs start with an idea. We start before it.
Incubators and accelerators help develop ideas that already exist. FICI starts earlier, teaching people how to find a real problem, create an idea and build an invention. Then we stay with them through intellectual property, prototyping, international exposure and commercialization, connecting them to the right partners at every step.
Seven stages · pick one to see its programs
Stage 1 / 7
You're curious about innovation but don't know what to invent. That's where we start.
Programs at this stage
Social innovation
In 2026, IFIA’s Executive Committee approved a new Department of Social Innovation & Community Development, presented by FICI. FICI’s President, Babak Khodaparast, was appointed its Director. Its public platform is Inclusive Innovators, a Canadian initiative opening innovation to more people, including persons with disabilities, neurodivergent innovators and newcomers.
Ten programs, one pathway. Start where you are.
For people at the very beginning.
Program
No idea yet? Learn to find real problems and turn them into inventions.
Program
Chapters, workshops and challenges that reach students before they have an idea.
Turn an invention into something protectable and marketable.
Program
Mentorship and connections to move a working invention toward market.
Program
Help taking research and technology beyond the lab and into real applications.
Reach partners, investors and markets.
Program
Strategy, matchmaking and introductions for innovation-led companies ready to grow.
Program
Connections to Canadian corporations, universities, municipalities and pilot partners.
Program
Use IFIA's global network to meet partners, buyers and investors abroad.
Canada on the world stage, and innovation open to everyone.
Program
Represent Canada at international invention exhibitions and turn exposure into partnerships.
Program
Removing barriers so more people can enter, and lead, Canadian innovation.
Program
Innovation that tackles social, economic and community challenges.
National Inventors’ Team of Canada
FICI selects, prepares and supports Canadian inventors to present their work at international invention exhibitions and competitions within the IFIA network. Medals are welcome, but they aren’t the goal. Every trip is built around feedback, meetings, partnerships and paths to market.
Competitions, workshops and exhibitions from FICI and the IFIA network.
New dates are added regularly. Browse past events or subscribe to our newsletter below.
FICI chapters bring invention workshops, IP education and international opportunities to university students, starting before students have an idea or a startup. Each chapter is run by students, with FICI’s support.
Our chapters
Simon Fraser UniversityBurnaby, BCNot currently active
University of WaterlooWaterloo, ONNot currently active
Toronto Metropolitan UniversityToronto, ONNot currently active
University of TorontoToronto, ONNot currently active
McMaster UniversityHamilton, ONNot currently active
York UniversityToronto, ONActiveInternational Federation of Inventors’ Associations
Through FICI, Canadian innovators are connected to IFIA, founded in 1968 and today bringing together inventor organizations around the world. IFIA holds special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and observer status at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
member organizations
countries
years of IFIA
Figures published by IFIA.
IFIA updatesIFIA has approved a new department presented by FICI, and appointed FICI’s President as its Director. Its public platform is Inclusive Innovators.
A new home for Canadian inventors, now in English and French, with online National Team applications and member accounts.
Babak Khodaparast represented IFIA, FICI and Canada as a judge for several of MIT Solve's 2020 Global Challenges.
Strategic partner for Inclusive Innovators' international platform
Canadian partner for the Inclusive Innovators city circuit
Founder community and startup ecosystem partner
Free membership for inventors, students, startups and institutions.
Apply for membershipDeliver programs, host events or support the National Team.
Start a conversationHelp more Canadians go from idea to invention.
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