We are happy to announce that “Ideas Powered for business SME Fund” is now available for Ukrainian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The Ideas Powered for business SME Fund is a grant scheme designed to help EU SMEs protect their intellectual property (IP) rights. The SME Fund is a Commission initiative, implemented by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). It will present Ukrainian businesses with an unprecedented opportunity to access funds to their intellectual property.
Who can apply?
- European and Ukrainian Small and Medium Enterprises, including Individual entrepreneur in Ukraine
- The programme is valid until 8 December 2023, but the budget is limited until the allocated funds are fully used, so do not hesitate!
What does the funding consist of?
- The Fund provides reimbursement of 75% of the costs necessary to pay official fees for obtaining legal protection for Trademarks and Designs in the European Union,up to a maximum of €1,000
What are the benefits of the EU Trademark/Design?
- A Trademark/Design registered with EUIPO is a simple and cost-effective way to obtain regional protection in all 27 EU Member States simultaneously:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Hungary, Italy.
What does the cost of TM registration consist of?
- The cost of preparing and filing an application consists of an official application fee, which is calculated depending on the number of classes of goods and services (EUR 850 for the first class of goods or services, an additional EUR 50 for the second and EUR 150 for each class after the third), as well as the fee of a patent attorney who prepares the application, advises on the list of required goods and services, and supports the application proceedings.
What expenses are covered by the fund’s financing?
- The SME Fund reimburses 75% of the official fees, i.e. if the application contains three classes of goods and/or services and the total amount of fees is EUR 1050, the Fund can reimburse EUR 787 by returning it to the SME’s account. Thus, the fee costs will amount to EUR 263 instead of EUR 1050
How do I know if a particular SME will receive funding?
- The support programme provides for submitting a request for funding BEFORE filing a trademark application. Thus, there are no risks: only with a voucher for financing can the registration of a Trademark or Design be initiated.
What documents are required to apply for funding?
- a bank account statement of the SME (IBAN, BIC/SWIFT, date of opening the bank account, name of the account holder – account details);
- a VAT certificate (extract from the register of value added tax payers) issued by the competent national authority; if the SME is not a VAT payer, an extract from the Unified State Register;
- power of attorney for a representative (unified form)
How long does it take to process a grant application? What are the deadlines?
- Feedback on the application will be provided within 15 days – request for additional information or results of consideration
- Positive results – receipt of a voucher for reimbursement, activation period – 2 months
- Submission of the application, payment of application fees
- Formulating a request for reimbursement under the voucher
- Refund to the SME’s bank account within 30 days
- Consideration of an EU trade mark application – 6-8 months
- Validity of the TM – 10 years with the possibility of extension
What do we offer?
- Submission and support of a funding request
- Advice on your intellectual property – trademarks, industrial designs, patents
- Calculating the cost of registration, choosing a strategy for optimal TM protection
- Preliminary search for identical and similar TMs in the EU – assessment of the chances of success in registration
- Preparation and filing of an EU trade mark application
- Support of the entire process from filing to obtaining registration
Useful links:
To support small and medium-sized businesses, we offer a special fee for our services, which we will customize depending on your needs.
Link to the schedule an online meeting – https://calendly.com/ipk_daria/30min
IP is the Key!