Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are essential elements of the European innovation ecosystem. They account for 99% of businesses in the European Union and provide jobs to more than 85 million EU citizens. Intellectual property protection helps innovative SMEs secure financing, grow, collaborate, and integrate into global value chains.
SMEs need support to secure and manage IP rights. Without IP management expertise and an IP strategy, they may find it impossible to secure investment for growth. Small companies are particularly vulnerable to IP theft, and are thus susceptible to bankruptcy and acquisition. Ensuring that SMEs can protect and manage their IP is a critical part of safeguarding innovation, job creation, and growth in Europe.
SMEs sometimes also need to license patented technologies that belong to other companies. This page offers some resources for SMEs looking for answers to their questions about licensing patents, including standard-essential patents.
We know SMEs face challenges finding financing and understanding how intellectual property can help them grow. In this section, we share links to several programmes and organisations that can help, as well as our own views on the kind of public policy framework that European SMEs need to grow and thrive. We hope you find it useful!
InvestEU
This EU programme is designed to boost the growth of a new generation of innovative SMEs in Europe. Among other things, it provides support for SMEs to use IP portfolios to raise capital and expand operations.
European IP Helpdesk
This service of the European Commission aims to help innovative SMEs. It provides a broad range of information about IP management and commercialisation, a helpline for IP management support, and capacity-building activities.
4SMEs
This initiative by 4iP Council, a European research institute focused on intellectual property issues, offers practical insights and information about IP management for innovative SMEs.
IP Europe Policy Asks for SMEs
SMEs and the European IP Action Plan
IP Factory Europe: Financing SME IPR Strategies
IP protection is critical for European SMEs to innovate, secure funding, grow, and compete. Watch these short videos from our World IP Day Webinar on Investments and Growth for Innovative SMEs to learn why.