2025 SME Fund: IP Support for EU-Based SMEs

Introduction:

The European Commission in collaboration with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (‘EUIPO’), has introduced the 2025 SME Fund, an initiative aimed at helping small and medium-sized enterprises (‘SMEs’) safeguard their intellectual property (‘IP’).

The fund, which will be operational from 3 February 2025 to 5 December 2025, offers financial support to EU-based SMEs to enhance their ability to register and manage their IP assets including patents, trade marks, designs, and plant varieties.

As stated by the European Commission: “The SME Fund is a grant scheme designed to help SMEs protect their intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, industrial designs and new plant varieties. Following the success of previous calls, this year’s fund is shaped to reach an even larger number of SMEs. In 2025, SMEs will be able to benefit from grants of up to €1,000 for patent registration costs, €1,500 for the legal costs of drafting and filing European patent applications and up to €750 for trade mark or design registration costs” [1].

Strengthening SMEs Through IP Protection:

Intellectual property can play a vital role in business success, serving as a key driver of innovation and economic growth. The SME Fund is designed to assist companies in protecting their unique ideas and products, making them more competitive and attractive to investors.

The 2024 edition of the fund supported over 23,500 SMEs (from 31,700 that applied) and 76% of the successful applicants aimed to secure IP protection for the first time. This demonstrates the growing awareness of IP’s significance in business development.

How the SME Fund Works:

The SME Fund provides financial support through a voucher system, allowing businesses to claim reimbursements for various IP-related expenses. SMEs can apply for funding through the SME Fund platform, and upon approval, they receive vouchers to cover the costs of IP services.

The reimbursement process ensures that funds are transferred directly to the SME’s bank account, making it a streamlined and efficient process.

The fund offers up to 75% reimbursement on patent, trade mark and design applications, and up to 90 percent reimbursement on an IP Scan service. The IP Scan service helps businesses identify and assess their intangible assets, providing strategic insights on how to integrate IP protection into their growth plans [2].

Eligibility and Application Process:

To benefit from the fund, SMEs must be established within the European Union. Business owners, employees, or authorized representatives can apply. The application process requires companies to provide key documents, such as a VAT certificate and company bank statement.

Once the application is approved, SMEs receive their vouchers, which must be activated within a set timeframe. The activation period varies depending on the type of voucher, with most requiring activation within one month, while IP Scan vouchers allow for a six-month activation window.

Further details on eligibility and how to apply can be found here [3].

Supporting Innovation and Economic Growth:

The launch of the 2025 SME Fund aligns with the European Commission’s broader efforts to enhance Europe’s economic resilience and support innovation.

Intellectual property-intensive industries contribute significantly to the EU economy, accounting for 45 percent of GDP and 93 percent of exports.

By encouraging SMEs to protect their innovations, the SME Fund aims to strengthen European businesses, foster economic growth, and reinforce the region’s position as a global leader in innovation.

For SMEs looking to leverage this opportunity, the SME Fund may offer a practical and accessible way to secure their intellectual property rights, a pathway to ensuring long-term business sustainability and success.

E is for EU funding schemes to help SMEs protect their intellectual property.

References:

[1] Launch of the 2025 SME Fund to help SMEs protect intellectual property – https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/news/launch-2025-sme-fund-help-smes-protect-intellectual-property-2025-02-03_en

[2] IP Scan – https://www.euipo.europa.eu/en/sme-corner/ideas-powered-for-business/ip-scan/process

[3] 2025 SME Fund How to Apply – https://www.euipo.europa.eu/en/sme-corner/sme-fund/2025/how-to-apply

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