Gowers Review: "IP Accelerator" helps start-ups make the most of their ideas

06/12/2006

"All too often the big players stifle the market because they have the expertise and the means to protect and exploit ideas."

The introduction of the "IP Accelerator", cited in the Gowers Review of Intellectual Property, follows discussions with the Treasury over recent months.

As the UK's largest early-stage investor in innovative and creative businesses, NESTA has identified a gap in the IP support given to fledgling companies.

"We know from our portfolio companies that the area which is least understood by innovative entrepreneurs is intellectual property, yet IP is often their greatest asset. The Gowers Review also identified this problem and recognised that it is vital that we help small innovative companies with specialised support. All too often the big players stifle the market because they have the expertise and the means to protect and exploit ideas," says NESTA CEO, Jonathan Kestenbaum.

The programme has been tailored by expert practitioners to focus on the strategic importance and management of intellectual property. It will be piloted with NESTA investment companies and those participating in NESTA's Creative Pioneer Programme, which provides early-stage funding and business support to creative businesses. Based on its success, the programme will be refined according to initial outcomes and developed into a widely available model to be rolled out nationwide.

For further information, please contact Nicola Kane on 0207 645 9638 or email nicola.kane@nesta.org.uk

NESTA is the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts. With endowed funds of over £300m, NESTA is the UK's largest early stage investor in innovative and creative businesses.

The "IP Accelerator" is referred to in the Gowers Review of Intellectual Property published today.

Related links

Read Gowers Review on the Treasury website

Find out more about our IP Accelerator