WIPANO – Patent Funding
We support you in the WIPANO patent funding
Experienced, well-founded and efficient – at a fair price
The funding program “Knowledge and Technology Transfer through Patents and Standards” – WIPANO for short – was relaunched in 2024 by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) to promote patents, norms and standards for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The current directive runs from 2024 to 2027.
The “Patenting companies” area supports the patent or utility model application. The funding is provided as a subsequent reimbursement at the end of the project of 50 percent of the eligible costs up to EUR 32,000 as a so-called non-repayable grant. This means that a total of EUR 16,000 in funding is available for a WIPANO project
Funding advice, project accounting and mandatory packages from a single source
ATHENA Technologie Beratung has been supporting SMEs as an experienced and qualified WIPANO service provider in the field of WIPANO patenting companies for many years.
As is always the case with funding programs, there are a few things to bear in mind when it comes to application forms and billing statements: In addition to successful application and full utilization of the funding, the support of a qualified WIPANO service provider also offers the advantage that the obligatory WIPANO mandatory packages can be handled directly, cost-effectively and in accordance with the guidelines from a single source.
High efficiency, high quality and fast processing at a fair price
As a nationwide WIPANO expert, we have established very efficient and high-quality handling processes thanks to the high number of successful grants we have received, and we are happy to pass on the cost benefits of these.
WIPANO funding in two modules
The eligible services in the WIPANO program “Patenting – Companies” are divided into two modules:
- Services in the context of patent applications and
- Utilization activities
Module 1 supports the costs for patent or utility model applications as well as for consultations on property right applications and the obligatory prior art or novelty search.
The optional Module 2 also includes the initial activities for commercialization such as prototype construction, a marketing concept, non-technical property rights such as design or trademarks, trade fair participation and the obligatory cost-benefit analysis.
Complete WIPANO billing and mandatory packages at short notice
We are also happy to assist with the invoicing of WIPANO patent funding. Whether you need to complete individual mandatory packages shortly before the end of the funding period or we can help you complete the invoicing documents. We understand the challenges in detail. It is particularly important to ensure that the mandatory packages for
Module 1: State-of-the-Art Research
Module 2: Cost-Benefit Analysis
are completed on time and in compliance with the guidelines!
For projects funded under the 2021-2023 directive, different regulations apply in some cases.
Who is supported by WIPANO?
- Micro, small and medium-sized commercial enterprises
- (EU definition: < 250 employees, ≤ EUR 50 million annual turnover, ≤ EUR 43 million balance sheet total)
- with a branch or permanent establishment in Germany
- which are operated as a main occupation
- who have not filed a patent or utility model application in the last 3 years
- who have not received WIPANO funding in the last 3 years
How does WIPANO provide funding?
- Reimbursement of 50% of costs
- Up to €16,000 grant for €32,000 in project costs
- Divided into two modules
- Submit an application – wait for approval and the start of funding
- Then conduct research and file a patent application
- Maximum term: 2 years (funding period)
- One-time, deferred reimbursement of costs
Services eligible for funding in Module 1
- Advice on filing an IP application
- Prior art research
- Novelty assessment
- Patent attorney services for patent and utility model applications
- Official fees for patent and utility model applications
- Advice on international IP applications
Mandatory service: State of the art research
Eligible costs: max. €20,000
Grant: 50% of the costs, max. €10,000
Services eligible for funding in Module 2
- Prototype construction
- Active trade fair participation
- Cost-benefit analysis
- Trademark and design registrations
- Legal advice, e.g., drafting license agreements, support with negotiations, non-disclosure or exploitation agreements
- Additional research, including advice and evaluation related to exploitation (freedom-to-operate research, market research, etc.)
- Marketing concept for the exploitation of the invention
- Patent insurance
Mandatory service: cost-benefit analysis
Eligible costs: max. €12,000
Grant: 50% of the costs, max. €6,000
Your contacts:
Dr.-Ing. Thomas Müller
Paderborn
+49 (0) 5251 / 390 65 60
RA Frederic Casañs
Cologne
+49 (0) 221 / 27 207 880
Dr.-Ing. Michael Naumann
Dresden
+49 (0) 351 / 27 80 68 73
WIPANO services and mandatory packages
Patent Search
Professional patent researchers with access to highly functional patent databases to evaluate your ideas.
Mandatory service in Module 1 of the WIPANO funding
Cost-Benefit Analysis
First numerical assessment of the economic viability and profitability in the early stages of an invention.
Mandatory service in Module 2 of the WIPANO funding
Patent Strategy
Development of company- and technology-specific filing strategies based on sound analyses and forecasts.
Recommended service in Module 1 of the WIPANO funding
