How can assistance or funding be obtained?

For the idea and its business potential to be evaluated by the regional Product Track team led by the invention advisor, the customer needs to fill in and sign a basic information form. If needed, the invention advisor may commission various preliminary studies, such as market surveys and IPR surveys, to support the evaluation by the Product Track team. Funding for these purposes does not constitute direct funding for the inventor.

Once the initial evaluation by the Product Track team has been completed, the idea or invention can proceed to the development stage of the Product Track. To support the development work, the Foundation can commission more in-depth surveys, including, for example, surveys into IPR strategy and patentability, competitor mappings and market studies. This is also considered indirect funding from the Foundation.

If the new idea or invention is found to have potential for growth and international business, a separate decision can be made during the development stage to grant support funding to cover, for example, the costs of making a prototype, patenting, testing of the technical and commercial performance, and product development.