High-growth technology businesses are typically small and medium-sized enterprises or start-ups that bring innovation, employment and productivity to traditional as well as new industry sectors. These businesses are a major driver of Europe’s economic growth, and key to addressing its current challenges, from digital transformation to health and sustainable development. Patents and other intellectual property (IP) rights help them to foster innovative solutions by encouraging and rewarding investment in new products and services.

The EPO has established a high-growth technology business initiative in co-operation with the Licensing Executives Society International. It is designed to encourage business decision-makers in the high-tech field to engage with IP to create value and to train IP professionals in business-focused IP management. The High-growth technology business forum focuses on technology licensing, business financing and business development for mergers and acquisitions.

The mission of the initiative is to support business decision makers in technology driven businesses (especially in SMEs) by sharing how intellectual property can support their business. The focus lies on IP strategy, operational excellence, financing and managing various strategic transactions, all underpinned by intellectual assets. The High-growth technology business (HTB) initiative was invented following the success of the High-growth technology business conference (HTBC) 2019 in Dublin, implemented in collaboration between the Licensing Executives Society International (LESI) and the European Patent Office, supported by Enterprise Ireland.

SAVE THE DATE – HTB Forum “Build to sell”

On 29 June 2023, from 17:00 – 19:00 CET, join the case study presenter Ghassan Kassab, Founder & CEO of 3DT Holdings & California Medical and the experts Irene Fialka, CEO of INiTS; Audrey Yap, managing partner at Yusarn Audrey; Patrick Monroe, M&A Lawyer at Monroe Law Industry Medical field

The “build-to-sell” forum is specifically for business decision-makers who either want to or are required by their investors to eventually sell their business. Building a company to obtain ultimate value through an exit requires a long-term view with a clear goal in mind. The “build to sell” forum explores case studies from companies that have been successful in building a business that has been sold. It focuses on three intellectual assets: technology, brand and operational excellence.

Case study description

Our case study speaker Dr. Ghassan Kassab has 300+ issued and pending patents and 600+ publications/proceedings in his name. He is founder and CEO of 3DT Holdings and the California Medical Innovations Institute in San Diego, USA. Ghassan elaborates on how he has built an innovation engine in the medical field that has resulted in one technology divestment, several exclusive technology licenses and multiple spin-off ventures to date. Together with Ghassan and our global expert panel from Europe, Asia and North America, we discuss how a high-tech company can serve as a platform for serial exits through spin-off venturing. We also look at the best ways for science-driven companies to ensure that their technology not only makes money, but also has a lasting global impact through an exit.

Who´s going to benefit from the forum?

High-growth technology businesses and small and medium-sized technology enterprises, in particular their decision-makers, IP professionals, as well as their innovation ecosystem, including investors, researchers, IP advisors and market facilitators.

The “build-to-sell” forum is specifically for business decision-makers who either want to or are required by their investors to eventually sell their business. Building a company to obtain ultimate value through an exit requires a long-term view with a clear goal in mind. The “build to sell” forum explores case studies from companies that have been successful in building a business that has been sold. It focuses on three intellectual assets: technology, brand and operational excellence.

Ready to join and drive your knowledge to the next level?

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_u7kjYO8dS5C1EzCKwEpceQ#/registration

SAVE THE DATE – HTB Forum “IP strategy and management”

On 30 November 2023, from 10:00 – 12:00 CET, join the case study presenter Thomas Nieraad, Co-founder and board chair, Connect One Digital AG and the experts Bruce Berman, Founder and chairman of the Center for Intellectual Property Understanding; Wanxing Eugene Ho, Research and IP director at Mengniu Dairy

IP strategy is an integral part of corporate business strategy and IP management decisions can have a substantial impact on business performance. The “IP strategy and management” forum is a workshop that explores various interesting case studies of companies which use business principles and strategies to create value through their IP. It focuses on the numerous business aspects and opportunities of IP management relevant to high-growth technology companies.

Case study description

Our case study speaker, Thomas Nieraad (co-founder and Board Chair of Connect One Digital AG), is a market-oriented, hands-on entrepreneur with extensive global experience who believes in close collaboration between market and technical functions. He co-founded Connect One Digital AG, a provider of Internet of Things product-based customer interactions.

In his presentation, Thomas Nieraad explains how his company develops digital solutions for the food and beverage industry, amongst others, that unambiguously connect consumers and businesses through consumer products in real time. Using ID-based authorisation profiles, everyday objects become multidimensionally configurable and can be connected to any digital service or offering at any time. In this way, different service providers can channel their products via everyday objects (“things”), which users can then access directly, interactively and anonymously. This makes these objects more intelligent and usable, and opens up the way for companies and brands to communicate directly with consumers –  to make an individual offer when it’s needed most, to increase customer loyalty, to deepen customer insights and ultimately to improve business.

Who´s going to benefit from the forum?

High-growth technology businesses and small and medium-sized technology enterprises, in particular their decision-makers, IP professionals, as well as their innovation ecosystem, including investors, researchers, IP advisors and market facilitators.

Ready to join and drive your knowledge to the next level?

Register here: https://epo-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aut7n_ESQXCoElz7AIFBrw#/registration