Horizon IP Scan is a tailored, free-of-charge, first-line IP support service provided by the European Commission specifically designed to help European start-ups and other SMEs involved in EU-funded collaborative research projects to efficiently manage and valorise IP in collaborative R&I efforts.
Building on a vast network of experienced, local IP experts across Europe, the Horizon IP Scan team performs an individual, professional, jargon-free assessment of your intangible assets in order to
- show you how you can protect your existing IPwhen starting on a research and innovation endeavour with multiple partners;
- assist you in developing a shared strategy with your partners to manage and exploit new IP jointly generated in your project.
What is Horizon IP Scan all about?
Like any other asset, IP needs to be managed and used strategically to ensure smooth cooperation and maximise the impact of project results. Hence, IP management plays an essential part in the entire lifecycle of research and innovation projects funded under the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 or Horizon Europe Framework Programme.
However, SMEs often struggle when it comes to assessing and protecting the IP they bring into these collaborations. Plus, the task to develop a strategy for managing and exploiting new IP, jointly generated with other partners, may seem daunting.
This is where Horizon IP Scan comes into play: It is an IP support service specifically addressing SMEs that cooperate in Horizon 2020 or Horizon Europe projects with one or several entities, including other SMEs. The overall objective is to help SMEs address central IP issues that may arise at different stages of a collaborative research project.
How is the service provided in detail?
Managed by a central coordination team, Horizon IP Scan builds on a network of local IP experts covering all EU Member States, and Horizon 2020/Europe associated countries.
Following a first come, first serve approach, it may either be provided to a single SME or, preferably, a group of SMEs involved in a collaborative research project. The successful SME(s) applicant(s) will be matched individually with the corresponding local IP expert(s). Usually, the language applied will be that of the applicant(s) or English.
Horizon IP Scan entails three major steps:
- a preparation phase including a pre-interview;
- the main interview, which is done in an in-person or online meeting;
- and the provision of a report and recommendations.
The service will be delivered either by a private IP professional (patent or IP attorney) or otherwise qualified IP experts, such as specifically trained staff from a national IP office or an innovation agency.
What’s in it for you?
The Horizon IP Scan team will help you:
- increase your IP knowledge
- get a clear picture of your existing IP
- identify potential ways to protect your intangible assets
- develop a joint IP management and exploitation strategy with your partners
- prevent potential IP conflicts
- boost your Plan for the Exploitation and Dissemination of Results
- leverage your company’s innovation capacity
In a nutshell: Your Horizon endeavour won’t succeed without managing and valorising IP – we’ll help you do it!
Who can apply?
The service is open to European start-ups and SMEs that are about to sign a Horizon (2020/Europe) Grant Agreement or have recently signed one (up to six months after signature). It also caters to SMEs signposted by the Horizon Results Booster (maximum until half of the project duration).
In addition, SMEs that are referred to Horizon IP Scan by the Enterprise Europe Network in view of a planned cooperation with other entities on a R&I project, are also eligible for the service up to six months after the beginning of a project, but preferably before any agreement is signed.
You can apply for the Horizon IP Scan at any time. Please take a look at our Guide for Applicants (available for download below) and fill in our service request form. This will only take a few minutes. All of the information you provide will be treated strictly confidentially, and will only be processed for the purpose of delivering the service. You may read our full privacy statement here.
We will carefully review your service request and notify you about the outcome of the application process as soon as possible.
Our Guide for Applicants covers all you need to know about submitting a service request and gives you further insights into the actual provision of the service.
These short sessions of 20 min are intended to give all interested parties an insight into the background of this innovation support initiative of the EC.
Contact
The Horizon IP Scan service is operated by EURICE - European Research & Project Office GmbH (Germany) representing the Horizon IP Scan central coordination team, which is supported by an EU-wide network of IP experts.
Please get in touch with us for further information, or if you have any questions regarding the service.
Email: contact
horizon-ipscan [dot] eu (contact[at]horizon-ipscan[dot]eu)