Intellectual Property for scale-ups

Published on:
27 June 2023
Last checked on:
24 October 2023

An international business plan should include an intellectual property (IP) chapter. This way, your company can use IP rights' strategic and financial benefits. This includes patents and their alternatives. Also, it prepares you to reduce infringement risks when doing business abroad.

Intellectual property

Do you want to claim the name of your new startup? Protect your innovative idea? Or find out if someone else has already claimed an invention? The Netherlands Enterprise Agency implements national and international patenting regulations within the Netherlands. Find out all you need to know about intellectual property or contact one of our expert advisors in your region.

Better chances to receive funding through IP rights

Did you know that startups and scale-ups that apply for a patent or other form of intellectual property right (IP right) early on, are up to 10 times more likely to receive funding than startups and scale-ups that do not? Read the study (pdf) by the European Patent Office (EPO) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) on how IP rights help innovative startups and scale-ups get funding to develop their ideas into market-ready products and services.

Netherlands Patent Office

The Netherlands Patent Office helps Dutch companies develop their IP strategy at several stages. Our workshops, search products, and consultations with experts address essential questions like:

  • How do I enforce IP rights, and what is the risk of infringement on foreign IP rights?
  • What actions should I take to get insights into infringement risks abroad?
  • When looking for new partnerships, how do I deal with trade secrets or other confidential information?
  • What actions should I take to strategically use IP?

The Netherlands Patent Office is part of a Dutch governmental agency that aims to promote the development of innovative Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. It provides its services free of charge. Please contact one of our regional patent advisors to discuss any IP-related questions in confidence:

Advisors and area

Advisors Area
Katja Apelt: katja.apelt@rvo.nl Noord-Holland | Zuid-Holland
Michiel van Stapele: michiel.vanstapele@rvo.nl Zuid-Holland | Zeeland
Gijs van Hoorn: gijs.vanhoorn@rvo.nl Drenthe | Friesland | Groningen
Dynion Bakker: dynion.bakker@rvo.nl Utrecht | Flevoland | Overijssel | Gelderland
Karen Sam: karen.sam@rvo.nl Gelderland
Ilona Koomen: ilona.koomen@rvo.nl Flevoland | Gelderland | Overijssel
Twan Uijttewaal: twan.uijttewaal@rvo.nl Noord-Brabant
Arie van der Krans: arie.vanderkrans@rvo.nl Noord-Brabant
Fons Schreurs: fons.schreurs@rvo.nl Limburg
Commissioned by:
  • Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy
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