Impact Licensing Initiative Featured at EU-13 Roadshow Events in Brno and Novi Sad

Impact Licensing Initiative (ILI) recently took part in the EU-13 Roadshow events organised in Brno and Novi Sad, as part of the EU’s strategic effort to boost intellectual property (IP) awareness and community engagement in Widening countries. The events were organised by the European IP Helpdesk and served as an opportunity to introduce ILI's mission in fostering sustainable IP practices through impact licensing and its role within the broader EU IP support landscape. Participants gained valuable insights on IP management, commercialisation strategies and the role of IP as a valuable asset, while also deepening discussion on sustainable innovations.

The Novi Sad event was held on 24 October at the Naučno-tehnološki park and brought together high-profile European and local stakeholders active within the innovation ecosystem. Some of the key sessions featured Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) Serbia, Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Serbia, and regional experts who featured their IP commercialisation experiences and practices. ILI project was presented by Ivana Vuka, Senior Innovation Manager at RISE, during a dedicated pitch panel, emphasising the role of impact licensing practices in addressing challenges often faced by innovators in protecting and financing their inventions. She highlighted how ILI supports impact-oriented IP practices, and its alignment with the initiatives namely the European IP Helpdesk, InfraBooster of European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) and Horizon Results Booster, now with the new name “Booster”.

Following the successful event in Novi Sad, the second event took place on 29 October at the Jihomoravské Inovační Centrum (JIC) in Brno, Czechia and gathered prominent stakeholders and initiatives within the IP ecosystem, including the International IP SME Helpdesks, EIT, PATLIBs of the European Patent Office, European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), EEN and National IP Offices. The presentation of ILI aimed at raising awareness on the impact licensing concept and briefly introduced the project's role in the EU innovation ecosystem. Cemresu Yücebalkan, the Project Manager of ILI presented the project as a part of the panel titled “Innovation Support Services” alongside notable speakers, each presenting essential innovation support organisations, including, EIT, PatentEnter, as well as the Ideas Powered for Business initiative of the EUIPO.

In both events, impact licensing was showcased as an innovative approach to overall IP management, balancing the societal and commercial values of IP. Brief but impactful presentations introduced project’s commitment to impact licensing model, highlighting it as a hybrid approach that benefits both society and economy, while aligning with the EU’s vision of a sustainable IP ecosystem. The events were attended by a diverse audience of IP professionals, business leaders, academics, and policy advocates, fostering meaningful exchanges on impact licensing as a tool for sustainable innovation. This engagement further highlights ILI’s unique role within the EU IP landscape, strengthening collaborative ties with local and regional stakeholders.