On October 2, Switzerland Innovation Park Innovaare welcomed a lively community of founders, innovators, and IP experts to shed light on one of the key topics for deep tech startups: intellectual property (IP). The guest speaker was Christian Moser Nikles, IP expert at the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IGE/IPI), who provided valuable insights into how startups can effectively secure their rights and manage risks. His statement shaped the entire event: “Securing IP protection is a business decision.”

The session offered a practical introduction to the topic of IP and addressed key questions for deep tech startups, such as:

• When is it worth investing in your own IP?
• What approaches are there for freedom to operate (FTO)?
• Where and how should inventions be protected?

This made it clear that IP is not only a legal obligation, but also a strategic tool that should be aligned with a startup's business model, market, and growth plans. Participants received practical tips on how to use IP strategically and avoid pitfalls in order to strengthen their innovative power in the long term.

Following the session, participants were able to continue networking, exchange ideas, and connect with other players in the deep tech ecosystem in the canton of Aargau in a relaxed atmosphere at the traditional Thirsty Thursday Apéro – in the immediate vicinity of the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), a central hub for research and innovation.

A big thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the success of this event!

📅 Preview: On November 6, we will continue with the next event, which will focus on #Euresearch – access to European funding programs and cooperation opportunities for startups and researchers. Join us and become part of our dynamic innovation network!