EPO and EIT showcase latest innovation initiatives

Joint efforts focus on educational programmes, as well as advanced tools and support for innovators to address societal challenges by leveraging intellectual property. 

The European Patent Office (EPO) and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) have shared a factsheet summarising the results of their ongoing co-operation on learning and knowledge-sharing initiatives. The 2024 joint work plan has successfully advanced this co-operation, building on the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2022.

By equipping inventors with the knowledge and tools they need to bring their ideas to market, the EPO and EIT actively contribute to the objectives set out in the European Union’s Competitiveness Compass. The EPO and EIT’s joint initiatives offer practical assistance for startups, SMEs and their scale-up strategies, while improving access to venture capital and strengthening collaboration between universities, research organisations and industry. Together, these actions reinforce Europe’s competitiveness and foster a more dynamic and innovation-driven economy.

Reflecting on 2024 achievements

In 2024, the EPO’s European Patent Academy offered a range of seminars, lectures, self-paced courses and learning support materials. The Modular IP Education Framework (MIPEF) was successfully integrated into the EIT Manufacturing Master School, prompting interest from other EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs). Additionally, the EPO presented its Observatory’s work to KIC managers, highlighting recent technology trends and economic studies, as well as key tools such as the Deep Tech Finder. Recently, the Deep Tech Finder was enhanced with fully searchable content and new entries, including spin-outs, universities and investment-ready startups with patent applications at the EPO. These updates were announced during the launch event of the study on Patents and Innovation in European Universities, which featured a speaker from the EIT’s Higher Education Institutions (HEI) Initiative. 

Planning for the future

The EPO and EIT work together to support entrepreneurs in transforming ideas into market-ready solutions. As part of these efforts, co-ordinators from the EIT community hubs of the Regional Innovation Scheme and the PATLIB centres identified countries for potential pilot initiatives in 2025. Further collaboration with the Observatory will focus on identifying shared areas of interest, featuring KIC experts at EPO events, and exploring the inclusion of EIT deep tech startups in the Deep Tech Finder. In parallel, both organisations will co-operate on developing and disseminating studies to enrich the EPO’s digital library. Training activities in 2025 will cover patent valorisation and commercialisation, IP strategy, the Unitary Patent and the EPO’s fee reduction schemes for micro-entities.

About the EIT and its communities

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology is an EU body and a key pillar of Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship programme for funding research and innovation. EIT promotes job creation and supports sustainable, smart growth by bringing together business, education and research. As Europe’s largest innovation network, it drives the development of long-term partnerships known as Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs). Each KIC focuses on a specific global challenge – such as climate change, sustainable energy, digital transformation or health – and delivers a broad range of education programmes, business creation and acceleration services, and innovation-driven research projects.