Are you a start-up or small- or medium-sized enterprise (SME) in the energy sector? Are you looking to strengthen your business and IP strategy, protect your intellectual assets, and expand your market presence?
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)’s IP for Business Division, the Israel Patent Office (ILPO) and the German-Israeli Energy Partnership (implemented by the German Energy Agency (dena)) offer an Intellectual Property Management Clinic (IPMC) for SMEs in the energy industry.
This clinic puts a special focus on empowering energy entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools to develop effective IP strategies that support long-term, sustainable growth.
The energy sector is in transition, responding to growing demand while reducing carbon emissions. Affordability and energy independence need to be considered. Industries such as transportation, manufacturing, construction, and building management are impacted beyond the traditional energy sector. Innovative solutions related to energy storage and hydrogen are emerging. IP impacts the entire energy value chain. It isn't just about protection, it’s a strategic driver of growth. A well-managed IP portfolio helps build brand recognition, distinguish your products in a crowded market, and attract investment. IP enables licensing and collaborative opportunities, allowing energy businesses to scale, diversify revenue streams, and enter new markets with confidence. In today’s digital and globalized world, IP also ensures that your inventiveness translates into commercial success.
Why participate?
Selected companies will gain exclusive access to a free, high-value program tailored to support the development of strong intellectual property (IP) strategies in the energy sector. Spanning four months, the 2025 IPMC provides targeted guidance based on each participant’s unique business needs, as identified during the application process.
Participants will benefit from expert-led mentoring and training designed to help them:
- Understand the value and strategic role of IP in building a competitive edge;
- Protect their IP assets across both physical and digital environments;
- Leverage IP to unlock business growth opportunities.
What you can expect:
Over the course of five months, selected companies will engage in the following activities:
- Three personalized, one-on-one mentoring sessions with leading IP experts specializing in the energy industry (fully funded by the program).
- Three online workshops covering a range of business- and IP-related topics designed to correspond to the specific needs of participating companies, including:
- Building and managing an IP strategy and portfolio;
- Ownership and collaboration; contracting and legal considerations for IP in energy;
- Monetizing IP: licensing, sales, and partnerships.
- Peer-to-peer networking opportunities among participating companies in the clinic.
Who can apply?
To participate, companies must meet the following criteria:
- Be a start-up or an SME based in Israel or Germany;
- Operate in the energy industry;
- Own a product or service that is commercialized and either protected by at least one IP right or the company has applied for at least one IP right;
- Have an entrepreneurial team (of at least two people) with a good command of English.
Deadline and schedule
To participate, applicants must complete the questionnaire by September 15. WIPO, ILPO and dena will assess applications and select a limited number of companies. The selection announcement and program launch will take place on October 28.
The selected companies will be expected to actively participate in the program (join online workshops, provide non-confidential information on their product or technology and IP, provide feedback after the clinic with a time dedication estimated at 10-15 hours excluding travel to an optional in-person event in March 2026).
To learn more about this program to support SMEs, check out our webpage: IP Management Clinics.