Today is World Intellectual Property Day, and this year the focus is on the critical role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

According to the World Intellectual Property Organisation, Intellectual Property (IP) “refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, designs, symbols, names and images used in commerce.  IP is protected in law by patents, copyrights and trademarks, which allow the IP’s creators and owners “earn recognition or financial benefit from what they invent or create.”

The University of Manchester Innovation Factory drives the commercialisation of the University’s innovations and IP.  Our core mission is to use this IP to create positive social and economic impact. The Innovation Factory works with academic and student inventors to identify research that has the potential to create value. It then translates these into a form where they can be used to benefit society as a whole.

How does it work? Learn more about the process we use to support this work.

Who have we helped? Find out about the myriad of projects and SMEs that we have supported.

Looking for help to commercialise the IP of your SME?  We are co-hosting a funded webinar on Thursday 29 April 2021. Click here to find out more, view the event agenda and register.