A Full Week of IP Support Across Europe: Highlights from Brussels, Hannover, and Cyprus

Last week was a busy one for the European IP Helpdesk team, with experts actively present at three different events across Europe, each with a shared goal - supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and beneficiaries of the EU-funded projects with their intellectual property (IP) questions and needs.

Whether through hands-on support at a stand or deeper involvement in event agendas, European IP Helpdesk team contributed to strengthening the innovation landscape through IP awareness and guidance.

EU-13/Widening Roadshow 2025 Kicks Off in Cyprus

The 2025 EU-13 Roadshow series successfully began with an engaging event in Cyprus, hosted by the University of Cyprus. The event gathered over 60 participants from across the local research and innovation (R&I) community.

Focusing on the strategic role of intellectual assets, the event offered space to highlight some of the success stories already emerging in Cyprus. It once again confirmed that excellent research is thriving in the Widening countries – and this time, the discussions went further to explore how such research can be brought closer to the market and translated into real value.

Participants shared their experiences with commercialisation and the various strategies they have used to protect intellectual assets, while others brought broader perspectives shaped by deep experience in supporting researchers and fostering innovation practices.

It was also encouraging to see this work recognised at the institutional level, with university leadership present to highlight ongoing efforts in building strong R&I collaborations.

The day concluded with an exhibition of local innovation support providers and dedicated time for networking – a great way to spark new connections and future initiatives.

This event marks the beginning of a broader collaboration with the Cyprus innovation ecosystem, and we look forward to continued exchanges and joint activities throughout the year.

IP Support on the Ground in Brussels and Hannover

While part of our team was in Cyprus, others were actively supporting innovators at two major events: the European Innovation Council (EIC) Summit 2025 in Brussels and the Global Innovation Summit 2025 in Hannover. At both events, the European IP Helpdesk team was present at a booth, providing first-line IP support and presenting an overview of its services to EU-funded project beneficiaries, SMEs, and other innovation stakeholders.

These events brought together exactly the kind of communities where IP awareness and guidance are most needed.  At the EIC Summit, where deep tech meets policy, IP is an essential part of project proposals and implementation. Selecting the right IP strategy is not just recommended, it’s essential. Our joint presence alongside the European Patent Office (EPO), the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), and the International IP SME Helpdesks ensured that beneficiaries were made aware of the wide range of available services and support designed to help them establish solid IP foundations.

The Global Innovation Summit, held this year at HANNOVER MESSE, highlighted the importance of fostering collaboration among SMEs, investors, researchers, and entrepreneurs. Once again, intellectual property took centre stage as a key enabler—building trust, safeguarding innovations, and generating value in collaborative ventures. In Hannover, we shared a booth with the Latin America IP SME Helpdesk, India IP SME Helpdesk, and Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), reinforcing the international dimension of the support and strengthening synergies across networks.

Being present in the exhibition space gave us the chance to meet innovators face-to-face, respond to their questions, and point them toward the right tools and resources—whether through tailored guidance, training, or our wider range of support services. 

From in-depth discussions in Cyprus to hands-on exchanges at major European Summits, the week reminded us how valuable it is to stay close to the community and ready to help researchers and innovators navigate the complexities of intellectual property. We are proud to continue this work and look forward to what is ahead.