The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two entities, signed in Spring 2021, aims to promote services that support small businesses, including training in IP, knowledge sharing, event participation, and awareness raising. Because of the success related to the first webinar, during the second webinar, we selected three topics including IP in business strategy with Philipp Hooman, SME Fund 2023 with Elizavet Karagiampi, and For Strand C program to promote the significance of IP for SMEs with Alessandro Corrado.
Throughout the webinar, Philipp Hooman stressed the importance of IP in business strategies for SMEs. He emphasized that registration or protection of IP rights is crucial for SMEs to gain a competitive advantage. However, many SMEs do not understand the value of their intellectual assets or where to find support or advice on IP. Hooman encouraged development agencies to promote the importance of IP to their companies and collaboration partners. He also highlighted the strategic drivers and success factors in planning businesses together with the companies in the region. Collaboration with other institutions like private industry lawyers and business chambers is essential to establish practices for SMEs on how to protect, what to protect, where to protect, and why to protect their IP. Hooman suggested creating and developing an IP inventory to help companies understand which rights they need and when. He also discussed the importance of correctly registering trademarks and protecting designs, including unregistered and registered designs. SMEs should view intellectual property as an investment rather than a cost.
Elizavet Karagiampi discussed the SME fund during the webinar, which provides financial support to European SMEs to protect their IP and develop their IP strategy. The overall budget for vouchers is €27,1 million and improvements have been made to the initiative to better suit the needs of SMEs. The process involves filling out an online grant application form, receiving a decision within 15 days, paying for the desired activities, and submitting a request for investment. The four vouchers covered this year include IP scans, trademarks, designs, patent-related activities, and plant varieties, with reimbursement rates varying based on the type of activity and whether it is at the national, regional, EU, or international level. The application period is open until 8 December or until the funds are exhausted.
Alessandro Corrado presented a new grant scheme initiative aimed at promoting the importance of IP rights for SMEs called For Strand C. To promote innovation and stimulate growth, it is important to encourage and reinforce behavioural changes that prioritize the utilization of intellectual property rights as a driving force. The specific objective of the grant is to finance a communication campaign to improve IP awareness and highlight the benefits of IP rights. The overall budget available for this grant is €1 million, with an average budget between €60.000 and €100.000 per proposal. The deadline for submitting proposals is May 1st, and the proposal should be written in English, with pan-European consortia expected to apply. The grant scheme seeks to finance digital campaigns, traditional campaigns, workshops, conferences, and social media campaigns that promote IP rights. Lastly, EURADA members will have the chance to collaborate with EUIPO by participating in future joint training initiatives and events organized by collaboration between both entities and creating positive synergies with other IP offices.
Overall, the webinar provided valuable insights into the importance of IP for SMEs, the available financial support through the SME fund, and the new grant scheme initiative to promote IP awareness. Development agencies and collaboration partners were encouraged to promote the importance of IP to SMEs and help them protect their intellectual assets.
Discover the video recording of the webinar by following this link.
