Annual IP Helpdesk Stakeholder Conference 2026 – Empowering EU SMEs
Overview
The Annual IP Helpdesk Stakeholder Conference 2026, hosted by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), will take place on 29 October 2026 in Alicante, Spain.
Under the theme “Empowering EU SMEs: IP Support Instruments for Business in the EU and Global Markets”, the conference will bring together representatives from the European intellectual property (IP) and innovation support ecosystem to discuss how businesses can better protect, manage and leverage their intellectual assets.
The event will explore the role of IP support services, tools and partnerships in strengthening the competitiveness, innovation capacity and internationalisation of European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Conference Focus
The conference will examine the range of IP support instruments available to European SMEs throughout their innovation and business development journeys.
Discussions will cover the services provided by the IP Helpdesk programme, alongside complementary tools and support mechanisms offered by EUIPO, national institutions and international organisations.
Particular attention will be given to how businesses can access relevant support at different stages of development, from early-stage IP guidance and innovation management to commercial exploitation, investment readiness and international market expansion.
The programme will also explore financing, licensing and investment opportunities, highlighting how effective IP management can contribute to business growth and competitiveness.
Through exchanges between institutional representatives, service providers and businesses, the conference will share practical experiences from Europe and international markets while considering future priorities for SME support.
Who Should Attend?
The conference is particularly relevant for SMEs, entrepreneurs, innovation support organisations, IP professionals, policymakers, researchers and technology transfer specialists.
It will also benefit organisations involved in business development, SME internationalisation, intellectual property management and the commercialisation of research and innovation results.
Expected Outcomes
The conference aims to strengthen understanding of the IP support instruments available to European SMEs and how these services can complement one another throughout the innovation cycle.
Participants are expected to gain practical insights into IP protection, management and commercialisation, as well as financing and investment opportunities linked to intellectual assets.
The event also seeks to encourage collaboration among IP service providers, innovation intermediaries and businesses, contributing to more coordinated and accessible support for SMEs operating in European and international markets.