Talk innovation: unlocking technology

Intellectual property, such as patents for yourcompany’s technology, can strengthen your elevator pitch. Learn how to say just enough – to the right people at the right time.In this episode, you’ll learn:How a clear IP strategy supports your businessgoals and boosts investor confidence. Understand why protecting your invention is justas important as communicating its value to potential investors.The general information in these videos providesonly a broad overview and is not comprehensive. It is not a substitute for legal advice specific to your own needs, nor should it be relied upon exclusively. You should consult a qualified professional (for example a European patent attorney) before taking any actions that could impact yourbusiness.

This “Out of the box” mini-series digs into agricultural innovation - where soil meets science. From a legendary rivalry that turned tractor tech into automotive breakthroughs to a surprising twist on solar panels powering greenhouses, it explores two inventive stories that are reshaping how we grow, eat and energise. Listen for a fresh take on agri-tech that’s anything but ordinary.  Moderator:  Cristina Lopes Margarido, patent examiner in culinary equipment  & food treating devices  Guests:  Ricardo Oltra Garcia, patent examiner in agriculture  

The “Out of the Box” mini-series begins with a look at the fascinating world of inventions in the energy sector. From compact switchgear systems hidden inside wind turbines to solar panels floating on water, this episode explores how unexpected inventions are redefining the way energy is generated. A light-hearted conversation between EPO patent examiners reveals how space-saving, sustainable tech is powering up our future – one invention at a time.  Moderator:  Cristina Lopes Margarido, patent examiner in culinary equipment & food treating devices  Guest:  Miguel Angel Ruiz Ferrer, patent examiner in electrical components & devices 

In this episode of Talk Innovation, host Ed Cooke sits down with Valentyn Frechka, the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Releaf Paper, in a conversation recorded during a live online event. Valentyn shares his remarkable journey of turning a school project into a business that transforms fallen leaves into raw material for the paper and packaging industry. Along the way, Valentyn offers insights into the challenges of turning an invention into a successful business, adapting to existing industry processes, the role of intellectual property in business strategy and the importance of picking the right team.   Moderator: Ed Cooke, EPO patent examiner Guest: Valentyn Frechka, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Releaf Paper. Second place winner of the EPO’s Young Inventors Prize 2024 

Standards are the invisible protocols that ensure our devices and services work together seamlessly. But how do they relate to patents? And what does this mean for innovation and competition?   Uncover how the interplay between standards and patents shapes technological progress. This discussion dives into how the Unified Patent Court and the Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre aim to streamline patent litigation and enhance legal coherence across Europe.  Finally, we introduce the European Patent Office's new dataset: the Patent Standards Explorer. By linking patent applications to standards documents, it offers a valuable resource for better understanding the innovation journey.  More information:  Standards and the European patent system, May 2025: full study Patent Standards Explorer dataset "Patents, standards and innovation: securing Europe’s competitive edge" event recording  Narrator: Victor Arribas Martinez, Stream Leader, EPO Observatory on Patents and Technology  Guest: Pere Arque Castells, Stream Leader, EPO Observatory on Patents and Technology  Featuring insights from speakers at the EPO Observatory’s "Patents, standards and innovation: securing Europe’s competitive edge" event: Gabriele Mohsler, Vice President Patent Creation Management, Ericsson Kirti Gupta, Vice President and Chief Economist of Global Technology, Cornerstone Research Bowman Heiden, Director of the Center for Intellectual Property (CIP), University of Gothenburg Justus Baron, Director of BRELA and Research Director, Northwestern University Center on Law, Business and Economics Aleš Zalar, Director, Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre, Unified Patent Court Rian Kalden, Presiding judge of the 2nd panel of the Court of Appeal, Unified Patent Court Alexander Haertel, Cluster Lead Patents, Deutsche Telekom Sophie Pasquier, Principal Licensing Counsel, Philips  

Plastic waste is a pressing global issue, polluting not just our environment but also even our bodies. Thankfully, the latest advancements in plastic waste recovery and recycling are paving the way towards a more sustainable future. Join Marguerite McCaughan as she explores the complexities behind these processes and speaks with experts about cutting-edge solutions and the role EU policies play in promoting recycling.   In this episode Paloma Aldeguer, Chief of Staff at Recycleye, shares insights into how artificial intelligence and machine learning are revolutionising plastic sorting and recycling. Joana Xavier, Director of Transformation and Sustainability at Valorsul, also discusses the technologies currently employed at Portugal's largest municipal waste processing plant. Pauline Vandoolaeghe, a patent examiner in polymer chemistry, joins the conversation to explain the chemical processes involved in plastic recycling, which include pyrolysis, chemolysis and enzymatic depolymerisation. Together, they provide an insightful look into the future of sustainable plastics.  Narrator: Marguerite McCaughan, Communications manager, EPO Guests: Paloma Aldeguer, Chief of Staff, Recycleye Joana Xavier, Director of Transformation and Sustainability, Valorsul Pauline Vandoolaeghe, Patent examiner, EPO Further information: EPO technology platform on plastic waste management and alternative plastics Full report "Plastics in transition - technologies for plastics waste management"Deep Tech Finder

Curious where the latest technology trends are heading?  The EPO's annual Patent Index offers a comprehensive look into these advancements, tracking  technological growth and patenting activity as well as top applicants and countries in the lead. Join EPO experts as they guide you through 2024’s key insights and explore some of the top fields like computer technology; electrical machinery, apparatus, energy; and transport.   They also discuss the uptake of the Unitary Patent and how often women inventors were named on patent applications.  Narrator:  Jeremy Philpott, EPO Communication Manager Guests: Gilles Requena, EPO Chief Patent Research and Policy Officer  Wiebke Hinrichs, EPO Patent Examiner in Cycles, Frames, Chains & Safety Marc Nicolas, Business Analyst at the EPO Yann Ménière, EPO Chief Economist   Further resources:  Patent Index 2024 Studies and reports  Women’s participation in inventive activity (November 2022) EPO Observatory on Patents and Technology

How can European startups bridge the funding gap they face compared to their US counterparts?   A recent study by the EPO’s Observatory on Patents and Technology highlights the important role of tech-savvy investors and provides a comprehensive mapping of investors supporting European innovators.   Discover the unique value that tech-focused investors bring to startups from Adéla Dvořáková, a Tech-to-Market Advisor at the European Innovation Council, and Sara Frykstrand Ångström, Head of Intelligence at Sweden's venture capital fund Industrifonden. Hear them discuss the study’s key findings as they share insights on the importance of a dual financing and IP strategy, the role of smart and patient capital and the need for a balanced pipeline of investors at various stages of a startup’s technological maturity. They also discuss the main challenges European investors face compared to their US counterparts.  Moderator: Pere Arque Castells, EPO Observatory on Patents and Technology  Guests: Adéla Dvořáková, Tech –to Market Advisor, European Innovation Council  Sara Frykstrand Ångström, Head of Intelligence, Industrifonden   Further resources:  “Mapping investors” study  Financing innovation programme of the EPO’s Observatory on Patents and Technology  Deep Tech Finder - EPO’s tool helping match startups with investors 

Space technology is evolving at light speed and may even offer solutions to global challenges such as climate change. Join expert guests as they explore the significance of space propulsion for various applications, the rapid transformation of the space sector, the growing number of players in the field and the boom in spacecraft launches over the past decade. The episode provides fascinating insights into propulsion systems, including chemical and electric propulsion, and their applications in different phases of space missions. The panel also touches on innovative concepts like atmosphere-breathing propulsion and tethered propulsion, which may drive future space missions. Moderator: Johannes Schaaf, EPO Chief Economist Unit Guests: Lars Petzold, Research Fellow, European Space Policy Institute Stephan Speidel, Technology Transfer Engineer, HE Space Operations Geert Boedt, EPO Chief Economist Unit Further resources: Patent insight report on propulsion systems for space (May 2024) Space innovation platform Previous podcasts on space:  “From Mars to Morocco: space innovations for Earth challenges” "Houston, we have solutions" "Earth observations for a greener planet" podcast

Inspiring Inventors  Hearing loss, high blood pressure, heart disease…these are just some medical issues that can be caused by loud noise. Friends and business partners Rhona Togher and Eimear O’Carroll are tackling this problem with an advanced acoustic material that can dampen noise in a variety of applications. What began as a school science fair project evolved into a business with a unique product and exceptional potential. In this episode, we explore Rhona’s journey and how friendship became the foundation for a groundbreaking business. We’ll also hear about the vital support they received from local business development organisations and patent attorneys.    Moderator: Edward Cooke, EPO, patent examiner  Inspiring Inventors: Each episode features a former European Inventor Award finalist, delves into the story behind their invention and provides insights on how they took their idea from the lab to the market. 

Leading Tech Voices: industries of the future Has graphene lived up to the hype it generated 20 years ago? And what do 3D-printed ceramics and Egyptian pyramids have in common? In this episode, two expert entrepreneurs explain how these materials are contributing to sustainability across industries. With graphene as the potential key to more energy-efficient data centres, and additive manufacturing producing ultra-durable ceramics with a wide variety of applications in fields such as biomedicine, prepare to discover how these materials have been transformed for maximum impact. Moderator: Pia Björk, Director in the EPO’s Communication department and an engineer in materials science Speakers: Amaia Zurutuza, Scientific director at Graphenea Johannes Homa, founder and CEO at Lithoz This episode is part of a special podcast series where each episode focuses on one of five major technology areas. It builds on the EPO’s 50 Leading Tech Voices project, in which global tech leaders were invited to share how they believe inventiveness can help create a brighter and more sustainable future.  You can read their statements and watch discussion panels on our website: Further information: Leading Tech Voices podcast playlist 50 Leading Tech Voices statements 50 Leading Tech Voices panel discussions EPO Chief Economist studies

How do you handle the lengthy process of getting a patent? While it may seem like a drawback, the time it takes can actually benefit your business. Join us to learn why the patent process isn’t always quick, how it impacts your competitors, and how you can actively impact the scope of your technology’s protection. Find out how you can use the patent examiner’s search report to drive your own strategy.  An episode in a weekly pilot series of bite-sized podcasts designed to give inventors, startups, entrepreneurs, and micro-entities and other businesses the tools to protect their technology with intellectual property (IP). Tune in every Friday at 9.00 am (also on YouTube & LinkedIn) to supercharge your innovation journey! More information at: New to patents Startup guide The general information in these podcasts provides only a broad overview and is not comprehensive. It is not a substitute for legal advice specific to your own needs, nor should it be relied upon exclusively. You should consult a qualified professional (for example a European patent attorney) before taking any actions that could impact your business. 

Leading Tech Voices: health & well-being EPO examiner Tom Kink leads a conversation with eminent inventors and scholars in the area of medical technologies, professors Gordon Chang and Chris Hancock. The talk highlights the significant increase in patent applications in medical technologies over the past decade emphasizing the role of interdisciplinary collaboration, advancements in material science as well as the role of robotics and AI in driving innovation. Persistence and the ability to iterate inventions quickly are crucial, as is consulting patents to be able to build upon earlier advancements in science.   Moderator: Tom Kink, examiner specializing in the field of surgical tools and navigation at the EPO   Speakers: Professor Gordon Cheng, Co-founder of Intouch-Robotics, Chair Professor for Cognitive Systems and Director of the Institute for Cognitive Systems at the Technical University of Munich. Professor Chris Hancock, CTO and Founder of Creo Medical Group PLC and Chair in Medical Microwave Engineering at Bangor University    This episode is part of a special podcast series where each episode focuses on one of five major technology areas. It builds on the EPO’s 50 Leading Tech Voices project, in which global tech leaders were invited to share how they believe inventiveness can help create a brighter and more sustainable future.  You can read their statements and watch discussion panels on our website:   Further information: Series playlist Leading Tech Voices statements 2023 Leading Tech voices panel discussions 2023

As an inventor, micro-entity, startup or university researcher, how do you keep abreast of the latest technology developments? While some believe patents lock away knowledge, keeping it from the public - nothing could be further from the truth. Find out how you can leverage free patent databases to succeed in your line of business.  An episode in a weekly pilot series of bite-sized podcasts designed to give inventors, startups, entrepreneurs, and micro-entities and other businesses the tools to protect their technology with intellectual property (IP). Tune in every Friday at 9.00 am (also on YouTube & LinkedIn) to supercharge your innovation journey! More information at: New to patents Startup guide The general information in these podcasts provides only a broad overview and is not comprehensive. It is not a substitute for legal advice specific to your own needs, nor should it be relied upon exclusively. You should consult a qualified professional (for example a European patent attorney) before taking any actions that could impact your business. 

This episode delves into the principal challenges facing innovation in Europe, as outlined in Mario Draghi’s prominent report “The future of European competitiveness.”  Listen to gain insight into:  the role patent data plays in understanding innovation trends  which technical fields Europe is lagging behind in compared to its competitors  how the EPO’s high-quality patents and other activities contribute to the innovation process  the critical factors that may impact Europe changing course.    These important topics were tackled in a conversation between Gilles Requena, Chief Patent Research & Policies Officer at the EPO, and Alexandr Hobza, Chief Economist, Directorate-General for Research & Innovation at the European Commission, with moderation by Joff Wild, Head of Content at Sisvel and former Editor in Chief of IAM magazine.     Additional links:  ⁠Mario Draghi’s report: “The future of European competitiveness”⁠  ⁠New innovation strategy for EU is vital – says report⁠ (EPO news item)