The Innovation Center of the Ústí Region (ICUK) will provide companies with new programs to help protect intellectual property when entering markets in Latin American countries and India. This is the first concrete result of the recent entry into the prestigious international network EU|BIC (see the article). At the same time, in June, ICUK was accredited as one of the members of the international Enrich in Africa network, which connects European and African business centers and also helps with expansion into the local markets.
In this way, ICUK opens the door to interesting foreign markets for small and medium-sized companies and startups in the Ústí Region, and at the same time becomes a partner for investors from the mentioned countries when entering our region, i.e. the entire Czech Republic.
"I am fulfilling what I have been forwarding for some time - as a region we need to open up more to the whole world. With the new services, we are partly aiming at new clientele from companies in our region, but we hope that we will also motivate other ambitious companies and startups to expand abroad. Experience abroad is key for the development of companies and their growth will indirectly help the Ústí Region as well", ICUK director Martin Mata explains the background of the new services.
Intellectual Property (IP) Helpdesk in India and Latin America
For Latin America and India, companies will be able to start using the services of the so-called IP SME Helpdesk during the summer, i.e. free help with the protection of intellectual property when entering the markets in India and Latin America. The help includes direct consultations with expert partners in the given regions, on-site educational events or webinars, diagnostic tools for companies' readiness or direct help with trademark registration, including an overview of financial matters related to IP protection.
Knowledgeable partner for entering African markets
If the Innovation Center of the Ústí Region is a member of the Enrich in Africa international network, companies will gain access to other partner incubation and acceleration business centers, investment groups in Europe and Africa, and thus a strong partner, a knowledgeable environment on the given market, which can further connect or provide them support on site. ICUK will become the same point of contact (Champion) for the Ústí Region for investors and companies from Africa.
Both services, together with the services obtained thanks to EU|BIC membership, will be launched by ICUK during the summer under the collective name ICUK Global[OK1] .
