Webinar: Licensing-based business models for early stage technologies

An online seminar organised by the European IP Helpdesk in collaboration with the European Patent Office and the European Innovation Council will explore licensing as a route for commercialising early stage technologies. The event is scheduled for Wednesday 9 October 2024 from 14:00 to 17:00 Central European Summer Time. The livestream will start at 14:00. The webinar is offered free of charge and will be delivered in English. Registration is required and places are limited to 1000 participants.

Speakers, host and case studies

The webinar is hosted by the European IP Helpdesk and features practitioners who will present licensing experiences from industry. Confirmed speakers include Stefano Linari, CEO of Linari Engineering Srl, and Natalia Drost, Strategic Projects Lead at Infinite Roots. The session will present licensing case studies from Onco QR, Linari Engineering and Infinite Roots. The organisers note that the content is for knowledge sharing and does not represent the official position of the European Commission or other organisations.

What the programme covers

The agenda brings together practical and legal perspectives. Topics listed by the organisers include a general introduction to licensing, how to assess IP and build an IP portfolio that supports licensing, different licensing based business models with examples, drafting the scope and common provisions of licensing agreements, methods to find potential licensees and negotiation of partnerships, and three concrete licensing case studies.

Why licensing matters for early stage technologies

Licensing is a common commercial route for technology developed in startups, research labs and SMEs. It can provide non dilutive revenue, enable market access through established partners, and reduce the capital and operational burden of scaling. For many innovators in the European ecosystem licensing sits alongside spin out and venture funded paths. The practical value of licensing depends on the strength and clarity of the underlying IP, the quality of contractual terms, and the partner selection process.

Common objectives achieved through licensing

Organisations use licensing for different strategic reasons. Examples include obtaining freedom to operate by in licensing a technology, gaining access to complementary know how, generating revenues through exclusive or non exclusive licenses, and creating secondary income streams by licensing into non competing fields. Early stage licensors must align their objectives with realistic expectations about market readiness and the partners ability to commercialise.

Technical and legal building blocks the webinar will address

The seminar will review the types of IP assets that can be licensed, how to construct an IP portfolio that supports licensing, and the key clauses that typically appear in licensing agreements. Presenters will illustrate these elements using real case studies. For participants who are preparing to license technology this is an opportunity to compare common practices and pitfalls.

Finding licensees and negotiating deals

The webinar will discuss practical approaches for identifying and engaging potential licensees. Techniques range from leveraging technology transfer offices and industry contacts to using patent marketplaces and professional licensing brokers. Negotiations for early stage technology require balancing valuation uncertainty against the partner ability to commercialise and the likely timeline to market.

Practical case studies and learning outcomes

The event will present concrete licensing cases from Onco QR, Linari Engineering and Infinite Roots. These examples are intended to show how licensing choices play out in real business contexts and to surface tactical lessons. Participants will be able to ask questions during the dedicated Q and A period.

Context for participants in the EU innovation ecosystem

The webinar is positioned within the EU innovation architecture where the EIC, EISMEA and the European Patent Office play different roles. The European Innovation Council supports high risk, high impact innovations and provides funding and acceleration services. EISMEA implements programmes for SMEs and innovation at the executive agency level. The European Patent Office provides patenting services and guidance on IP strategy. Together these bodies form part of the support infrastructure for researchers and startups seeking routes to market in Europe and beyond.

Who should attend and how to prepare

The session is aimed at an intermediate audience. That includes startup founders, technology transfer professionals, IP managers and business development staff who already have a basic understanding of IP. To get the most value attendees should come prepared with specific questions about licensing strategy, and where possible with basic facts about the technology and existing IP filings.

Practical next steps and registration

Registration is required and places are limited. The organisers provide the webinar free of charge. Participants should register early, review the agenda and prepare questions for the Q and A. For those who cannot attend live it is common for organisers to make recordings available. Check the event page or contact the European IP Helpdesk for confirmation.

Disclaimer

The event description and materials are provided for knowledge sharing and educational purposes. They should not be interpreted as the official view of the European Commission or another organisation. The content does not replace legal advice on licensing contracts, IP valuation or cross border enforcement.