This interactive workshop explores how existing and underutilised patents can become sources of new innovation and entrepreneurial opportunities. Participants will be introduced to the fundamentals of intellectual property (IP), with a particular focus on patents, and will explore how to analyse and understand patented technologies through practical case studies. Building on the concept of exaptation, the repurposing of existing technologies for functions beyond their original intended use, participants will apply a structured methodology to identify alternative applications for patented technologies. Working collaboratively, they will explore how these new applications can be transformed into potential entrepreneurial projects by identifying relevant needs, target users and value propositions.
By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:
- Understand the fundamentals of intellectual property, particularly patents and their role in innovation and research valorisation
- Analyse and interpret patent information through practical case studies to identify key technological features and functionalities
- Understand and apply exaptation as a methodology for exploring new applications of existing technologies
- Identify and assess potential opportunities arising from the innovative reuse of patented technologies
- Develop and present an initial entrepreneurial project concept based on a new application of an existing technology