The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has released Episode 5 of its podcast series Creative Sparks: From inspiration to innovation, focusing on one of the key challenges for European businesses: access to finance and the role of intellectual property (IP) in bridging that gap.

Titled “From Lab to Market: IP as the competitive advantage”, the episode explores how IP rights can transform intangible assets, from technologies to trade marks and designs, into valuable financial instruments that support business growth and competitiveness.

The discussion brings together two complementary perspectives: Michal Kazimierczak, EUIPO expert working on IP valuation and IP-backed finance, and Nicolas Konialidis, specialist in corporate finance and business valuation. Together, they examine how innovation and finance can be better connected in Europe.

A central theme of the episode is the mismatch between what innovative companies possess and what financial systems traditionally recognise. While many startups and SMEs rely on intangible assets, financial institutions have historically focused on tangible collateral such as property or equipment. As a result, companies with strong innovation potential may still face difficulties accessing funding.

The conversation highlights how intellectual property rights can help address this gap by giving structure, legal certainty and measurable value to intangible assets. When properly protected and valued, IP can become a credible asset that investors and lenders can assess, opening new pathways to financing.

Challenges and how to overcome them

The episode discusses barriers such as uncertainty around IP valuation, limited data available to financial institutions and fragmentation across markets. These factors contribute to a cautious approach from investors and create a cycle in which the potential of IP-backed finance is not fully realised.

To overcome these challenges, the EUIPO is working on developing more standardised valuation methodologies and tools to make IP assets more visible and understandable for financial actors. This work is closely linked to the Office’s Strategic Plan 2030 and broader EU priorities to strengthen competitiveness and innovation.

The episode also draws on findings from the EUIPO’s recent study on IP-backed finance, which provides a comprehensive analysis of the obstacles European firms face when trying to leverage their intellectual property to access funding. According to estimates discussed in the episode, IP-backed finance could unlock between €30 billion and €120 billion in additional financing annually, significantly boosting innovation and growth in Europe.

From a business perspective, the implications are substantial. Recognising IP as a financial asset could fundamentally change how companies scale, allowing them to access funding based on the value of their innovation rather than physical assets alone. This could also help retain high-potential companies within Europe, reducing the need to seek financing abroad.

The episode concludes by emphasising the need for a collective effort involving institutions, financial actors and businesses to build trust, improve data availability and develop a shared understanding of IP valuation. Ultimately, this would enable intellectual property to act as a true bridge between innovation and investment.

Making IP closer

The podcast series is part of the EUIPO’s wider efforts to bring intellectual property closer to businesses, creators and citizens across Europe, using real-world stories to explain how IP works in practice and why it matters.

The EUIPO publishes new podcast episodes on a regular basis, covering key IP-related topics linked to creativity, innovation and competitiveness in the European Union.

Source: How intellectual property can unlock financing for innovation in the EUIPO podcast - EUIPO