The IPN has extensive experience in this field, having already coordinated and participated in European projects (e.g. H2020, Interreg) and national projects (e.g. SIACs), amongst others. For further information, please visit our projects section.
In the field of intellectual property and the protection of intangible assets, IPN focuses its services on the following areas: training, strategy and consultancy.
In the field of training, is qualified to deliver modules of varying lengths focusing on the key aspects of intellectual property rights and the protection of intangible assets.
Through the section on strategy, the IPN offers support in developing internal organisational plans designed to ensure the effective management of the process of creating, enhancing and protecting intangible assets.
The IPN also offers services such as consultancy with a view to providing support in the preparation of applications for the registration of industrial property rights, particularly during the assessment of the feasibility of protection.
Organisation of business idea acceleration programmes
Design and delivery of acceleration programmes, covering the entire value chain from idea generation to the pitch, including the definition of the business model (Lean Startup) and prototyping (Lean Prototyping).
Organisation of open innovation programmes
We support collaborative innovation initiatives between large companies, start-ups and research centres, drawing on our unique innovation ecosystem – comprising over 300 companies, the University of Coimbra’s network of around 3,000 researchers, and our national and international partnerships. Our services range from one-day workshops to the organisation of hackathons and long-term programmes (3 to 6 months).
Support for the creation of innovation ecosystems and local development
Drawing on our experience of over 20 years in supporting entrepreneurs and fostering Coimbra’s nationally and internationally recognised innovation ecosystem, we assist organisations such as local authorities, incubators and other local development organisations in fostering their innovation ecosystems, from strategic planning through to the formation of local teams.
Activities designed to foster internal innovation processes within an organisation:
Innovation workshops:
An introduction to the basic concepts of product and service innovation, organisational innovation, innovation funding and other ways of enhancing a company’s competitiveness.
Workshops on developing new products and services:
Support for the development of new products and services, from the ideation phase through to the creation of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and its presentation to potential stakeholders. This may include support in the creation of functional prototypes, whether digital or using hardware tools such as 3D printing and electronic instrumentation. It can also be used by a company to redefine its current range of products and services, using a comparative competitive analysis as a starting point.
Innovation and strategic reflection workshops:
Support in defining and realigning the company’s strategy in light of current and future social and technological trends. This includes identifying new business areas arising from market opportunities and the adoption of new technologies, as well as analysing opportunities for collaboration and funding for such innovation.
Examples of areas and markets to target: