From lab to market: building strategic options with IP
This seminar is organised in collaboration with the European IP Helpdesk. An investor expert will discuss key takeaways from the Lightyear case study, focusing on how IP can strengthen investor confidence and support strategic pivots to identify the right business model.
Technology transfer case study: Lightyear – automotive sector
From solar cars to technology licensing
Determined to develop a revolutionary solar-powered electric car, a team from the Technical University of Eindhoven founded Lightyear in 2016. Leveraging their expertise honed through multiple wins at the World Solar Challenge and an early focus on building a robust patent portfolio, they attracted investor interest and began production in 2022. Despite facing bankruptcy, their IP strategy enabled a pivot towards becoming a leading supplier of solar roof modules and charging systems.
Key takeaways from the case study:
- Building and maintaining control of a strong IP portfolio early on empowers investors and nurtures an innovation culture, which helps to attract investors and protect market position.
- It is important to establish clear agreements of ownership of background and newly created IP when collaborating with industry partners to ensure smooth co-operation and safeguard core technologies.
- Aligning the IP strategy with investor needs, including the careful use of IP securitisation, can facilitate fundraising, while avoiding complications in future financing or restructuring.
- Developing a robust IP portfolio helps future-proof the company by supporting business pivots, market adaptation and resilience during challenging times.
Organised by
European Patent Academy
European IP Helpdesk
Organised by
European Patent Academy
European IP Helpdesk
Learn how IP can strengthen investor confidence and support strategic pivots to identify the right business model based on the Lightyear case study. Participants will gain insights into translating research into market opportunities.
This seminar is part of the series - From lab to market:
Willem Bulthuis
CEO, Corporate Ventures Advisory Munich region, Germany
Willem was 30 years in key positions at global high-tech corporations like Philips, NXP Semiconductors and Giesecke & Devrient, in Europe and Silicon Valley. He now brings together ventures, investors and corporates to drive innovation with scalable impact, especially in sustainable energy, transport and construction sectors. Willem organises Venture Capital events, is co-founder and board member at numerous ventures. He developed Teamaturity, a state-of-the-art tool to assess the maturity of founder teams and co-leads the European Innovation Council D2XCEL program.
llja Rudyk
Senior Economist, Chief Economist Unit, EPO Munich, Germany
Ilja Rudyk is senior economist at the European Patent Office. He provides expert economic insights into issues relating to innovation and technology commercialisation and has co-authored several studies on the role of patents and technology for the European economy.
Stephanie Weber
Communications Manager, European Intellectual Property (IP) Helpdesk St. Ingbert, Germany
Heading the communications team at the European Research and Project Office GmbH (EURICE), Stephanie Weber is a communication all-rounder with more than 15 years of experience in the strategic planning and implementation of communication measures for multiple international R&I projects. She has also been engaged in a number of European intellectual property (IP) support initiatives, which include managing the European IP Helpdesk's outreach activities since 2011. Stephanie collaborates with the EPO, EIC, European Commission and other stakeholders from Europe's research, IP and innovation landscape across various media formats, workshops and events on a regular basis.
European Patent Academy
European Patent Office
Bob-van-Benthem-Platz 1
80469 Munich
Germany