“PATENTS+” 2023: up to €140,000 non-repayable grant for SMEs that own patents

In a time where innovation is the key to economic growth, the Ministry has launched the 2023 edition of the “Patents +” Call for Proposals, a strategic initiative aimed at supporting the innovative and competitive capacity of SMEs through the valorization and economic exploitation of patents in national and international markets.

On September 5, 2023, the Canella Camaiora Law Firm, in collaboration with Fortitudo Finance, will hold an online event specifically designed on the 2023 edition of the new grants for SMEs: “Discover the 2023 edition of Patents+, Trademarks+ and Designs“. Registration is free, but you must register to attend ➡️clicca here.

What is the call for "PATENTS+" (ed. 2023)?

Beneficiaries of the call are Italian SMEs, patent owners, including newly established ones, with registered and operational headquarters in Italy.

Each beneficiary may submit a single valorization project, related to a single patent. The project must outline how the company intends to economically exploit the patent and how the services requested will contribute to achieving the outlined objectives.

The facilitation consists of an 80 percent non-repayable grant, with a maximum amount of 140,000 euros. It is delivered in phases, with the possibility of a 100 percent contribution for joint ventures with a Public Research Organization.

The budget for the 2023 Call for Proposals is 20 million euros, with a 5% reserve for Legality Rating holders.

Who are the potential beneficiaries of the Call for Patents+?

Eligible beneficiaries for the Patent+ 2023 Call are Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), including newly established ones, which have their registered and operational headquarters in Italy. These enterprises must be in one of the following conditions:

1. Be holders of a patent for industrial invention granted in Italy after 01/01/2022, or an exclusive license transcribed at the UIBM of such patent, provided that the patents are in good standing with the payments of the maintenance fees at the time of application submission.
2. Be the holder of a national patent application for industrial invention filed after 01/01/2021, with a search report with a “non-negative” result.
3. Be the owner of a European or international patent application filed after 01/01/2021, claiming priority to a previous national patent application, provided the priority application has not already been allowed in previous Patent+ calls.

Businesses must also meet the following requirements at the time of application:

• Be registered in the Italian Commercial Register;
• Be in full and free exercise of their civil rights, not be in voluntary liquidation and not be subject to bankruptcy proceedings.

Excluded from access to the facilities are companies:

• Excluded from de minimis aid, according to Article 1 of EC Regulation 1407/2013;
• Having pending administrative proceedings related to acts of revocation for undue receipt of public resources.

How much is the non-repayable grant?

The facility provides an 80 percent non-refundable grant, with a maximum amount of 140,000 euros.

However, the subsidy can be raised to 100 percent for companies that are co-partners with a Public Research Body, or hold an exclusive license issued by one of the aforementioned public bodies, transcribed at the UIBM.

What are the projects and expenses that can be subsidized by the call "Patents+"?

Article 6 of the Call for Proposals regulates eligible expenses, outlining the guidelines that companies must follow to access the grants offered. Funding is intended for the purchase of specialized services related to the economic exploitation of the patent and its introduction into the production and organizational process of the proposing company.

Eligible expenses are grouped into three macro areas:

1. Design, Engineering and Industrialization: including feasibility study, production design, prototype study and engineering, and other crucial stages of the production cycle.
2. Organization and Development: addressing the organization of production processes and the definition of communication strategy and entry into new markets.
3. Technology Transfer: includes the preparation of secrecy agreements, patent licensing, and collaboration contracts with research institutes or universities.

Clear rules are established for the eligibility of expenses, such as the need for the project not to be based on a single service and to contain at least one service from Macro Area A. In addition, the amounts requested for Macroareas B and C cannot exceed 40 percent of the total plan request.

All transactions must be traceable through methods such as bank transfer or credit cards, and each invoice must include the Unique Project Code (UPC). Expenditures invoiced before the application is submitted are not allowed.

In addition, restrictions are imposed on mutual participation at the corporate level between the beneficiary enterprise and service providers, and specific categories of individuals are listed from whom eligible specialized services cannot be provided, such as directors, partners, employees of the beneficiary enterprise, or individuals without a VAT number. Eligible expenses include specialized services related to the economic exploitation of the patent. Categories of expenses include design, engineering, industrialization, organization, development, and technology transfer.

Since when can the application be submitted?

Applications for facilitation in accordance with Article 5 of the Notice may be submitted exclusively through the Computer Procedure, following the procedures and outlines published in the appropriate section of the Managing Authority’s website.

The opening of the counter for the submission of applications is 12:00 noon on October 24, 2023, and will remain open until 6:00 p.m. on the same day.

Thereafter, in case of remaining financial availability, it will be possible to submit applications on working days, Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., until the available financial resources are exhausted.

The closure of the window will be announced by a notice to be published in the

Official Gazette of the Italian Republic, on the Ministry’s website and on Invitalia’s website.

Any applications submitted pending the closure of the window that do not find financial coverage will be suspended from the evaluation process until any additional resources are ascertained.

Is the Canella Camaiora Law Firm able to assist in applying for "PATENTS+"?

Yes, the Canella Camaiora Law Firm can assist with the filing of the Patent+ application, through the support of the firm’s in-house attorneys and professionals as well as by relying on trusted partners.

The Law Firm, however, has the ability to assist only a limited number of clients in filing facilitation applications; therefore, clients who have already registered their patents with the Firm’s assistance will be treated with priority.

The services offered by the Canella Camaiora Law Firm are not limited to the mere submission of the application. By partnering with Fortitudo Finance, we provide an integrated support that comprises:

• Project Analysis: an in-depth assessment to identify the most suitable approach, aimed at optimizing access to available facilities.
• Data Collection and Reprocessing: accurate document management, essential for the correct submission of the application.
• Application Submission: direct and specialized assistance at every stage of the procedure.
• Activity Reporting: detailed support in documenting the activities actually carried out, a key element for transparency and compliance with the requirements of the call.

For dedicated consultations, information on trademark registration or the Patent+ call, you can request a quote or book an appointment through the firm’s interactive forms (calculate quote – search in agenda)

What in detail are the types of activities that can be subsidized?

Eligible activities under Article 6 of the regulation are aimed at the purchase of specialized services related and closely related to the economic exploitation of the patent. Eligible expenses are divided into three distinct Macroareas:

A) Design, Engineering and Industrialization:

• Feasibility Study;
• Production Design;
• Prototype study, design and engineering;
• Design and implementation of firmware for numerical control machines;
• Analysis and definition of software architecture;
• Production testing;
• Issuance of product or process certifications.

B) Organization and Development:

• Organization of production processes;
• Analysis for qualitative and quantitative definition of new markets;
• Definition of communication strategy, promotion and presidium of distribution channels.

C)Technology Transfer:

• Preparation of secrecy agreements;
• Preparation of patent licensing agreements;
• Collaboration agreement between SMEs and research institutes/universities.

For dedicated consultations, information on trademark registration or the Patent+ call for proposals, you can request a quote or book an appointment through the firm’s interactive forms (calculate quote – search in agenda)

The full text of the call for proposals is available here: https://uibm.mise.gov.it/images/bandi/Brevettipiu2023.pdf