Good news for startups looking to file patents: There's now even more support available. First, the patent center is now located at Bayern Innovativ. Second, the patent funding program WIPANO has been relaunched and will run for another three years.
Recently, Bavaria Innovative has expanded its patent services to include the Patent Center Bavaria. Startups are expected to benefit from the improved exchange of knowledge between experts and innovation consultants.
Patent expertise from a single source
Bavaria’s Minister of Economic Affairs Hubert Aiwanger:
"In the future, innovation consulting, technology promotion, and patent expertise can be offered from a single source. Services for small and medium-sized businesses will be bundled under one roof."
The Bavarian Patent Center provides support for all types of intellectual property rights, from research prior to filing a patent application to information on the application process and free consultation with a patent attorney. The Patent Center also provides tailored industry contacts for marketing. The Patent Center also aims toadvice raise awareness among small and medium-sized enterprises, craftsmen and founders about issues relating to patents.
Funding program: Grants for consulting service providers
The technology funding program "WIPANO" — short for "Knowledge and Technology Transfer through Patents and Standards" — is a funding program of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. It focuses on supporting the entire process of registering an intellectual property right. Start-ups can secure grants of up to €16,600 for everything from reviewing the idea to commercializing the invention. You can also use this funding to pay consultants and service providers. Here you can find more information. some examples.
There is no deadline, as applications can be submitted at any time. If you have any questions about this funding program, startups can contact the Project sponsor.
Facts and figures about patents
For fans of facts and figures: In 2019, German companies filed more than 25,000 patents with the European Patent Office in Munich. This puts the Germans at the top of the European patent rankings and ranks second in the global rankings behind the USA. The most inventive Germans are the Bavarians, with more than 7,500 patent applications last year. And 2020 will surely see a few more patents from Munich-based startups!
In this guest article you will find tips about the Patent application
