IAC and Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation Partner to Strengthen IP Strategy in Canada’s Mining Industry

SUDBURY, ON | March 25, 2026 — Innovation Asset Collective (IAC) is proud to announce a new strategic partnership with the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI), which manages the Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator (MICA) Network.

Effective February 9, 2026, this collaboration bridges MICA’s national innovation ecosystem with IAC’s renowned Intellectual Property (IP) expertise. Together, the organizations will empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to navigate the complexities of global markets by mitigating IP-related risks and fostering strategic ownership positions.

A unified vision for mining innovation

The partnership focuses on several key pillars designed to bolster the Canadian cleantech and mining sectors:

• Strategic IP Support: Providing SMEs with resources to enhance their Freedom to Operate (FTO) and develop robust IP strategies.
• Ecosystem Engagement: Jointly developing approaches to engage mining, technology, and community stakeholders on a national scale.
• Knowledge Sharing: Disseminating success stories and non-confidential data across respective networks to drive industry-wide growth.
• Collaborative Networking: Aligning on conferences, summits, and outreach strategies to increase the visibility of late-stage mining innovations.

“This collaboration with Innovation Asset Collective represents a meaningful milestone for the MICA Network,” said Chamirai Charles Nyabeze, Executive VP Business Development at CEMI & VP Business Development at MICA. “By embedding IAC’s strategic IP expertise and resources into our ecosystem, we are helping Canadian mining innovators not only develop cutting-edge technologies, but also strengthen their IP ownership and freedom to operate — a foundation for sustainable growth and global competitiveness. Together, we are equipping SMEs with the tools they need to protect, scale and win in markets around the world.”

“Canada has long been a global leader in mining. As critical minerals have become an economic priority around the world, Canadian companies have a unique opportunity to lead the future of the sector and advance more sustainable mining operations,” said Mike McLean, Chief Executive Officer at IAC. “With the right intellectual property strategy and ownership positions, mining innovators can capture and retain more of the long-term value created by their technologies.”

“Intellectual property is not a legal afterthought; it is a strategic asset that drives valuation, partnerships, and positioning. At Innovation Asset Collective, we help Canadian cleantech SMEs turn intellectual property into a strategic advantage that generates growth and competitiveness,” said McLean. “We look forward to working with companies across the MICA network by providing the guidance, intelligence, resources, and funding they need to build strong IP positions.”

Together, we are equipping SMEs with the tools they need to protect, scale and win in markets around the world.

Chamirai Charles Nyabeze, Executive VP Business Development, CEMI & VP Business Development, MICA