Ljubljana, June 11, 2026 — The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), in partnership with the Slovenian Intellectual Property Office (SIPO), held a national workshop on the occasion of the first edition of the IP Management Clinic (IPMC) on June 11, 2026.
The event brought together entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for a full day of expert-led sessions and structured mentoring, marking a new phase in the longstanding collaboration between WIPO and SIPO.
From Awareness to Action
The workshop built on a milestone reached in February 2025, when WIPO and SIPO jointly launched the Slovenian editions of the WIPO IP Diagnostic Tool and the publication Enterprising Ideas: A Guide to Intellectual Property for Startups. Where those resources focused on building awareness and providing practical tools, the IPMC took the next step: direct, hands-on IP mentoring for selected companies.
Opening the event, Karin Žvokelj, Director of SIPO highlighted the scale of what is at stake. Corporate intangible assets worldwide are estimated at approximately 85 trillion EUR — yet many companies still seek IP protection only after problems arise. She stressed Slovenia's ambition to be an early mover in Europe on IP valuation and IP-backed financing, including forthcoming credit lines that use IP as collateral.
From Theory to Practice
The morning program brought together 34 participants for a series of expert-led discussions on the strategic role of intellectual property in business development. Sessions explored how companies can identify and protect valuable assets through patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets, while also using these rights to support growth, attract investment and strengthen competitiveness. Participants also examined the relationship between branding and IP protection, as well as emerging challenges associated with software, data management and artificial intelligence in increasingly digital business environments.
The afternoon focused on the core component of the IP Management Clinic: structured mentoring sessions for 20 companies selected through a competitive application process. Participants received tailored guidance from a team of experts that included Friedrich Linhart of Linhart Intellectual Property Firm, Maja Borić Vezjak of Patentni biro AF, Maša Rupnik ofComtrade d.o.o. . and specialists from SIPO.
Across the mentoring sessions, several common themes emerged. Many companies discovered that they possessed valuable intellectual assets that had never been formally identified or managed. In addition to patents and trademarks, participants recognized the potential value of trade secrets, software copyrights and design rights that had previously received little strategic attention.
Companies already operating in international markets sought advice on expanding their IP protection beyond national borders. Businesses from sectors such as deep technology, hardware and life sciences expressed particular interest in international protection pathways, including the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and the Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks.
Discussions also revealed strong demand for practical guidance on the commercial management of IP. Participants explored how contracts, non-disclosure agreements, employee IP policies and licensing arrangements can help businesses not only safeguard intellectual assets but also create and capture value from them over time.
Perhaps the most significant outcome of the clinic was a shift in perspective among participating companies. Across all mentoring groups, businesses increasingly viewed intellectual property not simply as a legal safeguard, but as a strategic asset capable of supporting partnerships, attracting investors, enabling licensing opportunities and strengthening company valuation.
This transformation was reflected in the experience of ReVino, a Slovenian company that converts grape pomace into premium sustainable materials.
Reflecting on its participation.the company noted:
Before joining the clinic, we primarily viewed IP as a legal protection tool. Through the program, we started seeing IP as a business asset that can support licensing, international expansion, partnerships, company valuation and fundraising.
As a result of the program, ReVino is now developing a licensing-oriented business model and assessing options for international patent protection.
What Comes Next
Building on the momentum generated by the clinic, WIPO and SIPO have agreed to continue supporting participating companies through a series of follow-up activities. These include an Investor Engagement Workshop focused on the role of intellectual property in attracting investment and structuring partnerships, as well as individualized support for selected companies seeking to develop investor-focused IP pitches.
The first Slovenian IP Management Clinic demonstrated a growing recognition among entrepreneurs and SMEs that intellectual property can be much more than a protective mechanism. By helping companies identify, manage and strategically deploy their intangible assets, the initiative highlighted the role of IP as a driver of innovation, competitiveness and sustainable business growth.
The IP Management Clinic is a flagship program of WIPO's IP for Business Division, designed to help innovative companies integrate IP into their business strategies.