SafeGuard iP joins IP100 as National Partner

Intellectual Property insurance experts, SafeGuard iP, has joined the IP100 business community as a new national partner alongside Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks, and Edinburgh-based R&D tax credit specialists, Jumpstart.

With the recent successful sale of Skyscanner offering evidence of the value that IP adds to the exit premium of any IP-rich business, the IP100 ecosystem for IP-rich companies, helps them to gain recognition for the investment they have made in intangible assets.

The initiative comprises of the IP100 Club, which hosts monthly IP-focused events around the UK, and the IP League Table annual report, which profiles and ranks innovative companies, highlighting those which have significantly invested in their IP in the form of IP creation, IP management policies, R&D activities and IP commercialisation.

The IP100 encompasses over 120 IP-rich companies, many of which have used their IP more effectively since joining, and secured investment, accelerated growth or boosted the exit valuation of their business.

David Bloom, director of SafeGuard iP, said: “With 15 years’ experience in the world of IP litigation, I know both the value of a solid IP portfolio, and the need to defend it robustly. The IP100 is an excellent initiative to show proper appreciation of the value of IP.

“I am very glad to be part of the growing infrastructure of companies who invest in, and effectively exploit their IP assets in the day-to-day running of their businesses.”

Bryan Hoare, BE Group, said: “We’re delighted to have David and the team at Safeguard iP on board.

“Safeguard’s involvement will provide a huge boost to not just those involved but also to the sector as a whole, championing the quality of intellectual property throughout the UK.”

Metis Partners’ director, Stephen Robertson, said: “IP assets underpin the competitive advantage of most businesses. Despite this, IP remains one of the least recognised asset classes, and so we are delighted to welcome Safeguard iP to the IP100 ecosystem and join our drive to get the value of IP recognised and leveraged by companies well before exit.”

The UKIPO has also backed the IP100 initiative.

Guy Robinson, deputy director IPO innovation directorate at the UKIPO, said: “We at the UK Intellectual Property Office are committed to helping businesses better manage their IP; understanding the value of IP and mitigating risks around these assets is crucial to the UK’s knowledge economy.

“I am pleased to hear about the IP100 and SafeGuard iP partnership which, I’m sure, will be a valuable addition to the ecosystem to support the growth of those businesses.”

In 2017, the IP100 will be engaged in a number of initiatives including the launch of a digital platform which will be available to both investors and IP100 Club companies, hosting the much-anticipated IP100 award dinners and a variety of IP100 networking events throughout the UK.

Potential IP100 entrants can now apply to be included in the forthcoming IP League Table and they will be assessed on IP-specific data linked to the 5 key IP asset classes; brand and reputation, critical databases, software, patents, and trade secrets.