Zagreb, October 6, 2025 — In collaboration with the State Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Croatia (SIPO) and the Croatian Agency for SMEs, Innovation and Investments (HAMAG-BICRO), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) launched the Croatian version of the WIPO IP Diagnostic Tool and held a One-Day IP Workshop for Startups under the theme “Intellectual Property as a Key Business Enabler.”
The event brought together more than 50 participants, including startup founders, SME representatives, business incubators, and innovation support institutions, underscoring the growing awareness in Croatia of intellectual property (IP) as a strategic asset for business development and competitiveness.
IP as a Driver for Growth
In her opening statement, Ms. Ljiljana Kuterovac, Director General of SIPO, emphasized the importance of IP as a driver of Croatia’s innovation ecosystem:
“For our entrepreneurs—especially SMEs—IP is no longer a formality; it’s a market-entry strategy. When you protect what you create, you negotiate better partnerships, license on your terms, and attract investment with fewer unknowns.”
Mr. Mate Kovač, Director of the Sector for Entrepreneurship Support and Development, Coordination and International Cooperation, highlighted the increasing role of intangible assets in business value creation:
“Intangible assets now account for most of a company’s worth. Treat your patents, trademarks, and know-how like any other asset—plan, budget, and report on them.”
Representing WIPO, Mr. Guy Pessach, Director of the IP for Business Division, underscored the importance of integrating IP into business and investment strategies, noting that only a small percentage of EU firms currently make active use of IP systems. He introduced the WIPO IP Diagnostic Tool, a free online platform that helps SMEs assess their IP practices and identify opportunities for growth.
Ms. Sarah Nassar, Associate Program Officer, IPBD, presented WIPO’s suite of IP tools and programs, offering practical insights on how startups can manage IP risks, secure their rights, and leverage intangible assets to scale internationally.
National Perspectives and Case studies
Ms. Tanja Milović and Mr. Denis Ćejvan of SIPO shared experiences from Croatian startups in the mobile applications sector, illustrating how IP protection supports business expansion and investor confidence. They also presented SIPO’s recently digitalized range of IP services, designed to make registration and management processes simpler for entrepreneurs.
Assoc. Prof. Tihomir Katulić from the Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb, offered an academic perspective on IP in the mobile app ecosystem, focusing on copyright, data ownership, and licensing challenges faced by innovative tech companies.
Representatives from HAMAG-BICRO also outlined available innovation and financing instruments through national and EU programs—such as Innovation Vouchers and Proof of Concept grants—which can support startups in covering IP-related costs, including patenting and trademark registration.
One-Day IP Workshop for Startups
Following the conference, WIPO and SIPO conducted a hands-on IP Workshop and one on one session for startups, providing tailored consultations to seven selected companies from diverse sectors including renewable energy, data compliance, laboratory diagnostics, furniture design, and creative industries.
Participants described the workshop as an “eye-opening experience” that clarified how IP can be used strategically to attract investment and drive innovation-led growth.
This collaboration forms part of WIPO’s broader efforts to empower startups and SMEs globally by providing accessible, practical tools to help them transform ideas into valuable business assets.
