Present throughout the GO Entrepreneurs trade show, the INPI reaffirmed its commitment to supporting project leaders, entrepreneurs, and business executives. At its booth, our teams welcomed over 1,000 visitors to discuss their challenges and provide answers, whether regarding intellectual property or business formalities.

Support for creation, protection of innovations, enhancement of intangible assets… The experts of the Institute have mobilized to guide each entrepreneur towards success, whatever the stage of development of their project.

In parallel, the INPI took part in several highlights of the show, through round tables and workshops which brought together more than 250 entrepreneurs and project leaders.

An interview on the topic "What is the INPI for an entrepreneur? From the formalities of setting up a business to protecting one's innovation"

Interviewed by Eva Aronica, journalist for The echoesFrançois-Xavier de Beaufort, Director of Business at INPI, recalled the concrete role that the Institute plays alongside entrepreneurs: all the key stages of the life of companies take place at INPI, which operates the One-stop shop and protects intangible assets through the filing of trademarks, designs or models, or patents.

When asked about the importance of intellectual property in terms of economic and technological sovereignty, François-Xavier de Beaufort responded with this comparison: “When you own a house and want to profit from your investment, for example by renting it out, if your property has neither a door nor a lock, it’s like an innovation without a patent or trademark: it risks being squatted. It’s the same with industrial property. […] It’s a crucial, vital need, initially and then for development, international expansion, and export, to register your intellectual property rights with the INPI.”

He then pointed out that in this respect, things are improving in France, even if efforts still need to be made from a cultural point of view: "One of the roles of the INPI is to raise awareness and train French economic stakeholders so that protecting industrial property becomes second nature."he hammered.

Company name, trade name, brand name: keys to standing out from the competition

Sophie Djega-Mariadassou, industrial property officer at the INPI, moderated a round table discussion on this topic. She was accompanied by Jean-Charles Nicollet, representative of the CNCPI and Industrial Property Consultant in the firm TAOMA Partners.

"With the CNCPI, we explain the difference between a trademark and other distinctive signs in business life, and why it is beneficial to have a trademark: because it is a powerful tool for communicating and differentiating oneself from competitors." has explained Sophie Djega Mariadassou.

From this intervention, we will notably remember this enlightening piece of advice from Jean-Charles Nicollet: "A trademark is registered for a specific activity. This activity must be considered in the short term, at the time of registration, but also in the medium term – up to five years. Its evolution must be anticipated!"

Protecting your brand and choosing your website name: two complementary reflexes

As in previous years, this workshop took place at the stand of Foliweb.

Hugo Amadeo et Ania ChergouINPI industrial property officers, accompanied by Mickael Vigreux, digital strategy expert Afnic, took turns discussing the differences between a domain name and a brand, but also their costs (between 1 and 15 euros per year on average for a domain name; 190 euros for a French brand with a single class of products and services, renewable every 10 years) and above all their purposes.

Mickael Vigreux also pointed out that a domain name "is the path that leads to the address where a service is located" and allows one to protect their digital identity. The INPI (National Institute of Industrial Property) reiterated that a trademark is both a strategic tool – allowing one to stand out from competitors – and a legal tool – offering a means of defending against any usurpation.

To protect and grow your business: the INPI toolbox

During this round table, Hugo Amadeo et Alexandra BassoINPI industrial property officers presented the numerous services made available to business creators by the INPI (personalized support, training INPI Academydatabase DATA INPI, e-procedures portal to carry out its procedures online with the INPI…).

"Our presence at Go Entrepreneurs is important."Alexandra Basso noted, "Because we meet people who wouldn't naturally approach us. This allows us to convey messages about our support and expertise. Go's visitors are attentive: they need practical advice and tools; most of them are young entrepreneurs starting their projects."

Paul LalotFounder Pahwatt, a company that develops and markets a foldable electric scooter "More compact than a carry-on suitcase and lighter than a pack of water"He also participated in this round table to share his experience of the support he received from the INPI: "without intellectual property protection, an innovation hardware It can be copied in a few months. With the INPI, we have secured what took us years to build. »

And Alexandra Basso insisted: "You need to check that your project is viable, that the idea isn't too similar to another to avoid counterfeiting; you need to think about market and technological research; above all, you need to be careful about disclosure: come see the INPI before publicizing your project…"

Did you miss the Paris edition of Go Entrepreneurs 2026? Don't panic, INPI invites you to join them again in Lyon, on September 24th, at La Sucrière.

Source: INPI at GO Entrepreneurs Paris 2026