SME Fund 2025 launching on 3rd February 2025
Over the past four years, the SME Fund has been an invaluable resource for businesses, providing funding and support to safeguard their assets.
This initiative, a collaborative effort by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), the European Commission, and the European Union Intellectual Property Network (EUIPN), plays a crucial role in supporting growth and innovation within the European Union.
Since the first pilot initiative in 2021, more than 72,000 SMEs have been financially supported through this initiative, fostering a thriving environment for business development and creativity.
2024 Milestones
The SME Fund 2024 achieved remarkable milestones, contributing significantly to the competitiveness of European and Ukrainian SMEs.
Key achievements of the 2024 scheme include:
- 31 779 applications received from SMEs
- 2 037 applications for IP Scan or IP Scan Enforcement services
- 29 097 applications for the trade mark or design voucher
- 1 728 applications for the patent voucher
- 148 applications for the plant varieties voucher
The success of this initiative stems from the strong and proactive collaboration between the EUIPO, the Commission and the IP offices of EU Member States. These offices have not only championed the grant scheme among SMEs but have also provided tailored, on-the-ground support to ensure businesses can access and fully benefit from the program. Their dedication has been instrumental in bridging the gap between policy and practical implementation, making the initiative highly effective.
Equally significant has been the commitment of the Ideas Powered for Business network members, User Associations, IP professionals, and a broad network of advocates who have worked to amplify its reach and impact. By pooling expertise, resources, and local knowledge, this collective effort has fostered an environment of shared success. Together, these contributions have created a foundation for sustainable opportunities, delivering long-term benefits that resonate not only with the participating businesses but also with the broader economic landscape. This cooperative spirit has truly set the initiative apart as a model of effective collaboration and support.
Looking ahead to the SME Fund 2025
The multiannual SME Fund programme will be extended with the launch of the SME Fund 2025 on the 3rd of February, providing ongoing support for SMEs as they innovate and grow.
With a focus on sustainability, digitalisation, and global competitiveness, the upcoming SME Fund scheme will cover a range of intellectual property (IP) rights, including trade marks, designs, patents, plant varieties, and the IP Scan service. The upcoming SME Fund scheme aims to:
- Foster innovation: Help SMEs leverage their intellectual property to boost their growth and drive transformative solutions.
- Reaching out to more SMEs: Encourage more SMEs to take advantage of the funds and services available.
- Support SMEs in their IP strategies: Support businesses through the IP scan to create IP portfolios to enhance their potential and protect their innovations.