Connect Safely: IP Essentials for Startups in China

For EU start-ups looking to enter the China market or work with Chinese partners, intellectual property is one of the most important assets to protect and one of the most important issues to address early. 

China offers many opportunities for innovative European entrepreneurs, but successful cooperation requires more than a strong product or technology. Before sharing technology, entering partnerships, manufacturing agreements or joint ventures, startups should understand how their IP can be protected and enforced in China. 

As part of the Founders Lair International Startup Showcase session, this seminar will provide practical insights into the Chinese IP landscape and highlight key steps EU startups can take to protect their brands, technology, designs, data, and know-how. The aim is not to discourage collaboration, but to help startups enter the China market with greater confidence, better preparation, and a clear IP strategy.

Agenda

13:00 - 13:30   Connect safely: IP essentials for startups in China

Lisa Lu, IP Business Advisor at China IP SMS Helpdesk

13;30 - 14:20   10 Startups Roadshow

14:20 - 14:50   Fireside Chat: Investment or Clients - How international Startups can enter the Chinese Market and what to expect

Jelte Wingender, Founders Lair, Co-Founder & CEO

Wahde Ahmadzai, Ling Sync International, Director & Co-founder; Startup Alliance, Secretary-General

14:50 - 15:40   10 Startups Roadshow

Speaker

Lisa Lu IP Business Advisor at China IP SME Helpdesk

Lisa Lu is the IP Business Advisor at China IP SME Helpdesk in Beijing, where she advises European SMEs on intellectual property rights matters. She holds a double master’s degree in law from the China University of Political Science and Law and University of Hamburg. Before joining the China IP SME Helpdesk at the European Chamber, Lisa worked as a trademark attorney for the Ferrante Intellectual Property and Chang Tsi & Partners. She mainly focused on the fields of trademark prosecution, trademark enforcement, copyright protection and unfair competition. During her time working in both law firms, she dealt with a variety of clients including but not limited to automotive performance, media, entertainment, new energy, apparel, architecture design, data management, e-commerce, household products, HVAC, and fire & security. Her clients included a range of globally leading companies and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Lisa is fluent in Chinese and English.  Much of his research output and interests focus on IP law’s implications for society, and he is particularly familiar with trademark law.