Knowledge and networks
Training materials, services and professional networks related to IP and technology transfer
What would you like to know?
IP basics and more
Read, listen and watch to learn all you need about how to take control of your company's IP and put it to business use
Get help
Get in touch with experts and networks to get help with IP, R&D and technology transfer
Find business
Check out open innovation platforms to find your next collaboration partner or business opportunity
Learn about IP and intangible assets
To help companies quickly gain an overview of intellectual property (IP), its principles, and different types of IP, we have compiled a study guide that we affectionately call the “IP textbook.” We have tried to keep it as short as possible so that readers can quickly grasp the necessary terminology and basic understanding of how the world of intellectual property works.
You can download it or browse it online (in Estonian, for now).
In our podcast “Innovate and Protect” we talk about intellectual property and intangible assets in innovative companies that are building their products for the international markets.
Among the companies featured are Estonian superstars like Bolt and Cleveron, and the experts are people who have advised both Starship and Dipperfox. Whether you are a big or small innovator, this podcast is for you!
In this series of webinars, we take the listeners on a thorough journey through IP – what it is, where it comes from, what the legal and technical aspects are and the business practices that are used to take advantage of them.
The webinars are in Estonian, read by our own IP expert Marius Kuningas.
Tools and networks
To improve the research and development and innovation (RDI) awareness and capacity of Estonian companies, we have established a network of development advisors within professional associations of Estonian industries.
The advisers advise members of the associations, but also mediate open innovation and development cooperation requests, cooperation with research institutions, etc.
The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) is the world’s largest business network, providing support for SMEs in internationalisation and innovation. EEN helps to find international business partners, access new markets, and get advice and information on IP, funding opportunities and legislation.
The network promotes open innovation by providing opportunities for R&D collaboration and access to technology and research partnerships.
The Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry represents EEN in Estonia.
ADAPTER is a collaboration network of Estonian universities and research and development institutions. The network currently includes 20 Estonian universities and research institutions.
Through the ADAPTER website, companies can quickly find an expert among over 3500 researchers, find a partner to develop a product or service with, request quotes from all the network’s institutions at once, and access measurement, analysis and consultancy services available.
Open Innovation Platforms (OIPs) are online communities where either networked or individual large companies seek solutions to their development problems or offer their technologies, materials, etc. for use. There are many such platforms (the EEN has one), so we have highlighted some of the larger ones here:
- Innocentive – open innovation problem solving
- IdeaConnection – idea marketplace and problem-solving
- Yet2.com – IP market place
- NineSigma – technology problem solving
- Philips Open Innovation – Philips’ open innovation portal
- CERN KT – technologies offered for licensing to companies by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN)
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) manages, among other things, eight Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs), each of which addresses a specific global and/or societal challenge. The KICs are consortia of businesses, universities and research institutions that work on developing innovations in specific areas and foster cooperation between the higher education, research and business sectors. Eight Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) are currently active in the following areas:
- EIT Climate – Working to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon economy
- EIT Innoenergy – Shaping a sustainable energy future for Europe
- EIT Digital – Driving digital transformation in Europe
- EIT Health – Creating more opportunities for EU citizens to live healthily
- EIT Raw Materials – Developing raw materials as a key strength for Europe
- EIT Food – Leading global transformations in food innovation and production
- EIT Urban Mobility – Developing smart, green and integrated urban transport
- EIT Manufacturing – Making the European manufacturing industry more competitive
Most of the KICs also have a representative office in Estonia, inviting companies to join and collaborate, offering funding to implement innovative plans, etc.